Sharks lose another back
Sharks utility back Len Olivier has signed with French Club Montauban.
Since arriving in Durban from the Valke late last year, 23-year-old Olivier hasn’t received many opportunities with the senior side, but the Sharks originally had big plans for him. Yesterday it was also confirmed that another Sharks utility back, Monty Dumond, will play for the Cheetahs in next year’s Super 14, further effecting their backline depth.
Montauban are currently in ninth position in the Top 14 and needed a replacement for centre Regis Lespinas, who ruptured knee ligaments and will be out for eight months.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:46 am
Looks like the Sharks forgot to tell the lad about their “big plans” for him.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:48 am
Old news
November 5th, 2009 at 7:53 am
There were huge contractual issues between Olivier and the Sharks, so don’t know what big plans they had with the lad! played one or two games in the vodacom cup and that was the sum total of his contribution to the Sharks.
However, I sincerely hope that the Sharks have a plan with their backs because we are losing plenty of our backline, which already lacked depth! And please get a DECENT backline coach! and maybe a head doctor with him!
November 5th, 2009 at 8:10 am
well i didn’t know who this lad was but it is unfortunate to lose players
November 5th, 2009 at 8:15 am
#3 Sharksgirl:
I wonder where Grant got the idea that Monty’s a urility back?
Someone at the Sharks seems to be ******** things up quite royally, when it comes to developing and keeping decent 10s, over the last few years.
With Brummer now your backup to Hernandez, he’s probably wondering whether he’s going to be consigned to that role when Monty comes back from the Cheetahs or whether another foreign import will be signed to fill the gap.
It’s that type of uncertaincy that agents prey on with their young clients.
November 5th, 2009 at 8:20 am
#5 David: I don’t know where Grant got that idea, but the Sharks have only ever used Monty as a FH. The only time he was changed was for the semi, where our coach didn’t feel the need to have an extra wing, regardless of the fact that Odwa had started under an injury cloud already
And since when is Brummer coming to the Sharks?
November 5th, 2009 at 8:21 am
#6 Sharksgirl: My apologies I think he also played centre for one CC match, or am I erring again?
November 5th, 2009 at 8:29 am
#6 Sharksgirl:
Sorry, I’d heard a rumour that the Sharks were after him. I was merely speculating.
November 5th, 2009 at 8:40 am
#7 Sharksgirl: He also played fullback for the Sharks XV (Vodacom Cup), but he really is a FH
November 5th, 2009 at 8:44 am
#9 spykerbaard: Oh oops you are right! Totally forgot!
November 5th, 2009 at 8:47 am
#8 David: I wouldn’t be upset if he were to come accross, but I haven’t heard those rumours yet.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:05 am
So he should bugger off if he isnt getting a chance!
Even the 19 year old Cronje played ahead of him.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:09 am
Len who?
November 5th, 2009 at 9:23 am
#13 VyfSlot: He was second choice FH at the Valke last year and then came to the Sharks. However, there were huge controversies with his contract on which our own Mr. Strueli would not budge and this whole relationship went South, absolutely no surprise that he is leaving. Played one or two games for the Sharks XV and then spent the remainder of the season in the gymn chatting up the girls, and not much else.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:32 am
the sharks don’t care about developing first five-eighth’s, next year they will flash their cheque books to bring danny cipriani to the shark tank & they will think they’re on the only path to success…
November 5th, 2009 at 9:36 am
#15 Transformation: God help us, Ihope you are wrong! Actually they have a pre-contract with Dan Carter
November 5th, 2009 at 9:45 am
Dont worry, Carter wouldnt waste his time at a team like the Sharks!
November 5th, 2009 at 9:45 am
#15 Transformation: WAKE UP, their under20 FH, Guy Cronje has already played in the CC and been part of their Super14 squad
November 5th, 2009 at 9:50 am
#17 WP_: Thats rubbish and you know it! Of course he would whant to play with a great team like the Sharks, jeepes to come to SA and the sea, his only other choice would have to be to play for WP, and that would be scraping the barrel
November 5th, 2009 at 10:01 am
#18 spykerbaard:guy who?
#16 Sharksgirl: hey sharkie…i see mourinho’s boys nearly left it too late last night…
Michalak, hernandez, who is next?
November 5th, 2009 at 10:08 am
#20 Transformation: No missed the game
What was the score?
Transformation didn’t you read my post the next is Dan Carter
I have no idea, but Hernandez does have the option to extend his stay, I am really hoping that Mrs Hernandez likes Durban. Otherwise who knows.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:24 am
#20 Transformation: Get rid of that chip on the shoulder Transie, let it all out, spill the beans . . . was it Frans Steyn, the 7′ 2″ basketball player that made a fool of you on the court that first got your ire up against his namesake when he came to the Sharks, or something else. tell us, you’ll feel better
November 5th, 2009 at 10:48 am
#22 spykerbaard:lmao…you’re a funny guy, i like that…the sharks can never induce a “chip on the shoulder” mentality on me, not now not ever…i only talk about the sharks because sharkgirl is my girl, otherwise i wouldn’t be pointing out their flaws…
#21 Sharksgirl:dynamo scored 1st in the first half through schevchenko & were dominant…then mourinho switched it up in the 2nd stanza with a double sub…with inter under the kosh diego milito sneaked one past the goalie in the 85th min, only for wesley sneijder who was the architect of milito’s goal to break kyiv hearts in the 90th min after the dynamo goalie blundered a sulley muntari pile driver. Jose was so pumped up, the W lifted his team to top of the group infront of rubin kazaan & barcelona…
My Barca boys struggled in Russia where the temp on the pitch dropped to -9 degrees! I’d like to see rugby players play in those conditions!!!!
November 5th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
At they time they recruited him, the Sharks had Waylon Murray, Brad Barritt, Francios Steyn and Adi Jacobs ahead of him in the pecking order (not to mention the u19, u21 and Acadamy centres)… so who was the bigger idiot? Him or the dude that thought they needed him.
The more I see of the recruitment decisions made, the more I think that central contracts are necessary.
The Sharks have far too many front rowers (particularly as they scrum so badly!) and backs. The Bulls have far too many locks, losies and backs. And WP dont seem to be able to do anything, regardless of the talent they possess.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
pity i really thought the guy had potential – anyone remember the game where he almost single handedly won the game for the valke against wp last year? he was that young blonde flyhalf that was like a hot knife through butter and an accurate goal kicker. I think that the sharks missed out here and should have looked at developing him rather than the cronje boy – I dont want to say ross or guy because i have no idea how to tell them apart!
He should have been played ahead of monty as well, Monty is good but he’ll only ever be a solid CC player, wheras olivier i think had the potential for so much more.
November 6th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
#24 semi:
Semi…so did I. At the end of last year I was hoping they offer him a deal – and when it came through, I was stoked. And then the issues which is unfortunately confidential started. Pity that he was screwed around by administration team who seems to think they are bigger than what they really are..
And Yes Sharksgirl – we need to get a head coach very urgently otherwise we might as well pawn the trophy cabinet…
November 6th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
#25 ICE: Sick and tired of watching these backs run around like headless chickens! We need someone like Slapchips (look what he has done for the heretofore backless Bulls)or like Campese. I don’t care what people say about him but when he was training our backline the Sharks’ backline was potent. Virtually the same players and they have forgotten what to do with the ball once they see the try line That is if they haven’t kicked possession away!
I am starting to sound like try time am I not
November 6th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
#26 Sharksgirl:
SG, we are sitting with some of the most potently talented players in the country…something other than that (the players)must be wrong, so I do agree with you. When our backs get the ball they do not know what to do with it…and in the semi’s they obvioualy all thought to attempt dropgoals…
DINNNGGGG!!! WROOONNNGGG!!!
November 6th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
#27 ICE: Exactly! Our Forwards are better at scoring trie, but that is because our head coach is a specialist forward coach so he understands forwards, we need an attacking minded backline coach! One that does can give our backs some bite! Frankly I don’t fancy waiting another 12 years for a trophy and we have the players to beat any team, I think we are just short on the Coach side.