Muller void must be filled
2 Feb 2010
The Sharks are facing a second row and leadership crisis when Johann Muller leaves for Ulster.
Ironically, on the day the Bulls secured the signature of impressive lock Juandre Kruger to boost their second row, news broke that their closest rivals in recent times were heading in the opposite way.
Muller’s move hasn’t yet been confirmed but it is set to be ratified by the Sharks’ board next month. Even if he isn’t allowed to depart after the Super 14 as his contract only expires at the end of the year, the Bok lock has requested the move and is in all likelihood gone – whether it’s in the middle of the year or at the end.
With his departure the player drain – that has seen the likes of Brad Barritt, BJ Botha, and Frans Steyn among others leave – continues at the union, with few adequate signings replacing the big names who have left before reaching their potential. The Sharks’ backline depth has been severely effected in recent times, and the second row is now looking like another area with insufficient quality to compete at the highest level.
With Gerhard Mostert, Steven Sykes, and Alistair Hargreaves as the remaining locks left after Muller moves to Belfast, the class simply isn’t there if the Sharks hope to claim an elusive Super Rugby title in future. Mostert has potential but is injury-prone and hasn’t completed a full season in recent times, while 36-year-old Albert Van den Bergh also departed for Japan last year.
After Muller leaves, the Sharks will have to buy quality second-rowers – which is easier said than done – otherwise they’re merely an injury or two away from a second row crisis.
Hargreaves has been earmarked as Muller’s direct replacement as lineout linchpin, and although he came with big wraps after leading the country at age-group level, at 23 he hasn’t yet delivered on his potential. Hargreaves’ age suggests he does have time on his side on a personal level, but from the Sharks’ perspective John Plumtree and co will be hoping 2010 is the year he delivers as he makes his way through the senior ranks.
The Sharks will realise locks can, and need to be bought to replace Muller. However, what is more difficult to acquire is leadership, which is one of Muller’s greatest strengths.
John Smit is current captain of the side, with Muller and Stefan Terblanche his deputies. With the senior Boks set to be rested for the Currie Cup, that rules Smit out, and at 34 Terblanche is also in the twilight years of his career.
In the remainder of the squad, there are no real leaders, and all championship winning teams are characterised by influential captains and senior players. If the Sharks don’t move quickly and these problem areas aren’t rectified there is no reason why the Sharks won’t suffer severely in the near future.
By Grant Ball
141 Comments
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2 Feb 2010, 14:00 pm
@justrugby: Called out again. Now you were replying directly to a post about Beast. You concluded that he was dropped for the Sharks. Here it is in black and white.
54. justrugbyReply to this comment :
February 1st, 2010 at 4:14 pm
@Ratel Brussow (MSIUR):
LOL….me stupid !!!!, he wa dropped for the Sharks moron !!!! Heinke imo best LH we have !! but of course you wouldnt see that !!!!!!!I said WHEN have no better then go and fetch and play the best……… read properley !!!!!!!!
No advocating picking on mass from overseas……..geeez you read and see what you want….. dingbat !!!
So basically you think because Beast didn’t start a pre-season friendly he is “dropped” – a bit silly.
Then regarding Dollie:
“I by the way think he is better than anything you got there, especially after Pienaar has made it clear he wants to play 9.”
This concludes that Dollie will be the best no. 10 in our S14 squad – madness
2 Feb 2010, 14:17 pm
you are seriously blinkered !!
So where did I say that Beast won’t start thhe S14 ??, I said he was dropped for the STORMERS game ….fact , warm up game or not….he did not start…. fact !! Never mentioned a word about the S14 , that’s YOUR conclusion !!
How does me saying that I believe Dollie is better than anything you got equate to me saying he will startt the S14, that your mngt must deccide, my opinion is that he has more talent than dumont and from what little I have seen, Meyer as well !! As for him starting never mentioned anything like that !!
Where have i said anything about JDUP ??
Get your facts right and stop making your own conclusions and trying to get it exposed as mine !!
2 Feb 2010, 14:25 pm
@justrugby: cmaon jr.
how can a player be dropped from a warmup match?
warmup matches are about testing combos and trying new things.
you know that and i know that. to even suggest that beast was dropped was a bit silly imo.
that said, the name calling is not good JuniorRutman
2 Feb 2010, 14:27 pm
@justrugby: Well quite simply you believed Beast was dropped “for the Sharks” and that was for JDUP at loosehead. If you believe Dollie is the best the Sharks have and that we aren’t buying him for depth, then surely you believe he SHOULD start?
But whateva you are back tracking fast, at least you know you were not thinking clearly.
2 Feb 2010, 14:30 pm
@rangerman: Hey Rangerman, good to have you back. JR is seriously trying to avoid all those silly things he said yesterday! He’s desperately looking for loopholes, like “he was dropped for the friendly” and “Dollie is the best but I don’t thin he should start”. Its quite funny to see him trying to squirm his way out!
2 Feb 2010, 14:36 pm
2010 ain’t gonna be our year that’s for sure. It’ll be a bloody miracle if end mid-table the way things are going. Hey look everyone a humble non-arrogant Sharks fan! Amazing.
2 Feb 2010, 14:40 pm
@Ratel Brussow (MSIUR): howdy man.
i dont have the time to banter today, have a good one guys.
2 Feb 2010, 14:40 pm
@KZN King Shark: Everybody loves a pessimist.
2 Feb 2010, 14:41 pm
@KZN King Shark:
LMAO!!!
2 Feb 2010, 14:42 pm
@rangerman: Ya, its getting over-board. JS not nearly as bad as G10 though. Now that guy is plain deluded.
2 Feb 2010, 14:47 pm
Cheers guys, and JR, sorry if I went a bit aggressive, I just disagree with you that: Dollie is the best 10 at the Sharks currently; that Beast is dropped for Jannie Dup and that Heinke should be bok 1st choice.
Is that correct? Our have I put words in your mouth again. Anyway over and out.
2 Feb 2010, 14:53 pm
@rangerman:
junior rutman….lmao
mini reverse….
2 Feb 2010, 15:33 pm
@Ratel Brussow (MSIUR):
Who’s better than Dollie ?, Dumont?, Meyer ?? Cry me a river, I would play Dollie before both of those !!!
Strange that the Sharks want him so badly ??
Must be happy with the current crop of FH’s then hey !!!
Bottom line it’s your and the Sharks problem so I actually don’t give a continental !!!
Stormers still have issues at 9 and 10 …..now that worries me ?? Not your blinkered views, like water off a ducks back !!!
2 Feb 2010, 16:16 pm
Ratel Brussow….and Ostrichman…. love it….a laugh a minute…
Go sharks….!
2 Feb 2010, 16:19 pm
seems i cant turn my back for a minute and its G10 this and G10 that….bunch of babies….
Not my fault Smit is a kak3 and plum experiments by dropping beast to play jannie kan nie duplessis at loosehead?
Blame plum man….and so sorry Ruan dont want the 10 jersey and now you boys want Dollie….talk to Plum…he is in charge ,,,not JR or Me?
My take on Smit has never changed….kak 3….very good when fit 2….simple.
2 Feb 2010, 16:20 pm
agree with JR …Dollie better than Dumond….i like the look of S Meyer….he deserves time to claim the jersey.
2 Feb 2010, 16:45 pm
@grant10: dollie is better than dumond on what basis grant?
how many s14 matches has he played?
2 Feb 2010, 16:48 pm
@rangerman: same amount as Dumond?
2 Feb 2010, 16:51 pm
and to be honest i have not seen enough of Dumond or Dollie to make a comparison…just really playing with my best friend Ratel Brussow.
2 Feb 2010, 16:53 pm
but see old Ratel was full of prune juice today….sprouting on and having a full o at JR and I….
Very interesting oke that ratel….i reckon he is a bit physchotic….forgot his medication today….grumpy sod!
2 Feb 2010, 16:55 pm
at least with ostrichman we know it is sleep deprivation….and a huge dose of naievety and plain stupidity….and throw in the blinkered head in the sand Ostrich flu and one can understand…..
But Ratel….no real excuse there…just plain insanity….
2 Feb 2010, 16:57 pm
and ratel loves to say what he believes we thinking….i find it so funny.
G10says….Smit is a kak 3….
Ratel says…G10 says smit is a kak 3 and if we move him to 2 g10 will say drop smit for bissy…..
Insane , paranoid and a little dumb….
but to be fair to the old Ratel….he probably right….Smit should retire…time up i reckon.
2 Feb 2010, 16:58 pm
@grant10: dumond has played s14 for the sharks mate.
has dollie played s14?
when was the last time you saw dollie play? i am just asking on what basis you state this as a fact as i havent seen dollie play since he was booted from wp and sent to boland.
a bit like dumond (who i dont rate all that highly) ending up at the valke dont you think?
2 Feb 2010, 17:00 pm
ok, i see you were just spinning for bass.
but now you are sounding a bit like you are stuck in a rut.
Rutman? ja, i think it fits
2 Feb 2010, 17:00 pm
@rangerman: see 69….i agree…just dont know enouh about them….i know i wasnt too impressed the last 2 games i saw with Dumond….but to be fair it was behind a turbo reverse pack.
2 Feb 2010, 17:01 pm
@rangerman: 75 LOL
beach time…cheers Ostrichman
Go Sharks..
2 Feb 2010, 17:01 pm
@grant10: haha, if you had your way we would have seen smit retired before we won the BIL series and the 3n.
lunacy.
but once you are in a rut grant, i will give it to you, you dont try and turn the wheels. you just keep sliding along
2 Feb 2010, 17:02 pm
@rangerman: The last time I saw Dollie play Ranger was in the under 21′s. I think it was that long time back. Not sure if he has ever played in a S14. So no-one can compare him to Dumond who I don’t rate either but Dollie? Why are we getting him? Not so sure if that is the right thing. I would play Meyer at FH until Ruan is over that op.
2 Feb 2010, 17:03 pm
@rangerman: 77
ja…he is over the hill i am afraid….a liability…and deep down you know it….but you a sentimental oke…nothing wrong with it…just dont cry when you lose Bissy , and a few games!
Outta here..
2 Feb 2010, 17:06 pm
@grant10:
they must have been turbo reversing over your forwards when they won a turnover on the wp line eh?
keep watching grant, keep watching buddy.
p.s. do you think any of the improved spirit in the stormers camp can be attributed to lukes departure? i see bekker seems to think so.
2 Feb 2010, 17:09 pm
@Puma: ja, lets see how he goes puma.
@grant10: haha, says the king of sentimentality. give us another speech about luke being the messiah of non racialism and peace and love and and and grant.
your FAVOURITE FAVOURITE FAVOURITE all time superhero isnt he grant?
sentimental i am. sentimental about winning BIL series and the 3n
enjoy the beach and say hi to schalk would you?
2 Feb 2010, 17:16 pm
Same guys same ignorance!
Grant why would Bismarck leave, he is the first choice hooker at the Sharks? Smit is being played at 3 as per the national coaches request!
As I stated earlier, Dollie started two games for a club rugby side, Quaynbeans 1st XV. He was then dropped to the 2nds and subsequently disappeared. So much for playing his way into the Brumbies. And you guys are touting him as a S14 player!
2 Feb 2010, 17:16 pm
@rangerman: 81 – What you think of Meyer Ranger?
2 Feb 2010, 17:21 pm
Puma/Ranger/Ratel
I’m a little concerned about the stories on this site of a lack of team spirit in the Sharks camp. Even if you don’t have the best skills in the game you can go a long way towards overcoming other sides with a good team spirit/effort. I’m not sure how much of this is true but you guys are nearer the source than I am. Is this indeed the case?
2 Feb 2010, 17:35 pm
@bananaboy: Howzit Bananaboy, I have heard nothing mate. Just read what I see here about that stuff. Only a few here saying it and mostly the same few. So not really sure at all.
Have to wait until the game against the Chiefs to be sure.
Also read that all the Boks in the squad all had a full 4 week break. So maybe why they are not so ready yet. Talking about the conditioning part as well.
I don’t think we will get a semi spot this year and that has nothing to do with our front row at all. More worried about our centre and FH postions. Also don’t our wing Odwa. I would play Mvovo to be honest. He was great in the CC.
2 Feb 2010, 17:37 pm
@Puma: Sorry 2nd last line meant. Also don’t thin our wing Odwa should start.
2 Feb 2010, 17:38 pm
@Puma: another typo, sorry end of the day here..lol. thin – think
2 Feb 2010, 17:38 pm
@Puma:
The thing I remember about Dollie is that he has tons of pace, and has the ability to get his line away, something Dumond is not able to do, the fact that Dumond has played S14 means nothing, it was out of despeartion, little else.
I think dollie could be an interesting option, don’t write him off just yet !!!
He is small though so might battle in S14, but lets see.
Personally i think the Sharks should get Butch back until the youngsters come through !!
2 Feb 2010, 17:44 pm
@Puma:
Bissy, JPP, Beast ,Deysel,kanko in great shape, JS and Willem Alberts will need to play catch up !!
2 Feb 2010, 17:46 pm
@Puma: what little i have seen i like puma, hopefully he can fit well into the side.
we need him to do well.
@bananaboy: i have heard no such reports barring here on keo…from wp fans
i take it as a sign of respect.
2 Feb 2010, 17:49 pm
@rangerman:
Believe what you want, you will be the dissapointed one !!
2 Feb 2010, 17:50 pm
@rangerman: 80
Spirit in Stormers camp seems very good…as it was in the CC under LW…
bET YOU SHARKS WOULD LOVE TO HAVE lw AT 6 IN THAT CURRENT PACK OF YOURS …BE HONEST NOW??
Sorry caps
2 Feb 2010, 17:51 pm
@justrugby: ja, and to think butch asked for a 2 year contract from bj van zyl in 2007 dec and was refused.
what a joke and a sad way to treat a true sharks hero.
anyways, i am off all. rugby practice.
tjorts.
2 Feb 2010, 17:51 pm
@rangerman: 81…My all time favorite Bob Skinstad….then LW..
2 Feb 2010, 17:53 pm
@justrugby: haha, you keep believing the “breaking news” mate
@grant10: no thanks, we discarded him once already. cancer in the team.
gotta go guys, stay as cool as the cucumbers you are
2 Feb 2010, 17:53 pm
@Rebels_Shark: Not sure…ask Bissy …you guys are there…ask Rob Dylan about his talks with Toulon, Bulls and others….perhaps he doesent want to be there anymore? Not sure.
I dont know much about Dollie….seems he is on the sharks shopping list…ask Plum why?
2 Feb 2010, 17:54 pm
@justrugby: haha, you keep believing the “breaking news” mate
@grant10: no thanks, we discarded him once already. cancer in the team.
gotta go guys, stay as cool as the cucumbers you are
and lmao!
2 Feb 2010, 17:54 pm
@justrugby: 88 – JR, I remember seeing Dollie in the under 21′s. He was actually superb then. Then nothing came of it since. Not too sure about him playing at this level. Then like you say never write off a player. Just have my doubts mate.
2 Feb 2010, 17:56 pm
@grant10:
You get the article ?
2 Feb 2010, 17:56 pm
@rangerman: we agree…Butch a superstar….how sharks lost him,bj,f steyn, barritt,
Jeez guys!!
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