Sharks call on Hargreaves
Alistair Hargreaves has flown out to Australia to join the Sharks, but there are two injury concerns ahead of the Brumbies match.
Hargreaves started against the Cheetahs but didn’t depart with the rest of the squad for the opening two tour games in Australasia. Coach John Plumtree wanted the second-rower to work on his match fitness after suffering from glandular fever in December, and after playing two matches in the Vodacom Cup the management team is happy with his progress.
Johann Muller pinched a nerve in his neck in the tournament opener against the Chiefs and left the field against the Waratahs after 52 minutes after taking another knock. Hargreaves will act as cover for the Springbok second-rower.
The Sharks originally flew out with a squad of 25, and Sharks management confirmed with keo.co.za they won’t be sending anyone home. Hargreaves flew out on Monday and arrived in Australia on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Keegan Daniel and Odwa Ndungane are doubtful starters ahead of Saturday’s match against the Brumbies. Flanker Daniel took a knock to the head and will be tested for concussion later in the week, while the Bok winger is struggling with a hamstring niggle.
By Grant Ball
March 9th, 2010 at 2:11 pm
The Sharks won’t miss these dragons to much. Mvuvo in for Odwa and loose trio of Deysel, Alberts and Kanko
March 9th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
I say there are better flankers in Varsity cup rugby than Daniels at present.
March 9th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
I don’t understand why Plum is so adverse to selecting Mvovo. Knowing that tik smoking Kiwi he’ll selected Murray or Botes on the wing. JPP needs a massive kick up his behind.
March 9th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
@pokkel: 1 – Pokkel, Agree to that 100%.
March 9th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
@KZN King Shark:
Dont know why you think JPP is at fault. What is he supposed to do with such a badly misfiring backline in front of him?
He has been huge in defence, which is pretty much the only area of the game hes been able get involved in.
But you’re right in letting Mvovo have a go. Ndungane is looking so average its frightening.
March 9th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
But this is the worst time to loose a player with experience specially now that Jp is still on holiday
March 9th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
@Fire: What experience does Odwa bring apart from experience of moving in slow-mo?
March 9th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
@Fire: I doesn’t help having experience and you playing average rugby
March 9th, 2010 at 2:30 pm
@pokkel: It
March 9th, 2010 at 2:31 pm
@John Galt: I just feel that a really class wing should be looking work all the time. Just look at the mountain of work Habana gets through. He’s practically like an extra loosie at the Stormers and still scoring tries.
March 9th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
@KZN King Shark:
All i can say is that it must be really tough to be a wing in the Sharks side right now. Especially if you are a carthorse ala Ndungane.
At least JP still has pace and can still tackle.
March 9th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
A backline of:
9.Kockott
10.Pienaar
11.Mvovo
12.Swannepoel
13.Murray
14.Pietersen
15. Terblance
With Goode, Jacobs and Vulindlu on the bench; would solve the Sharks’ attacking problems. They should settle with that backline for a few matches, quit chopping and changing, and a little bit of chemistry will eventually emerge from the maelstrom. I’m all for rotation, but like with Liverpool FC, you’ve gotta know who your first team is. It’s important to have a pecking order…
March 9th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
@SimiJan: Thank god you are not the coach!
March 9th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
Well I think it`s a good thing they`re calling back Hargreaves. Sharks are out of the super 14 anyway, might as well develop the younger players for the CC.
Giving Steenkamp gametime would only help the bulls in the end not the sharks.
Now if only Plum saw it this way. Maybe then Lambie can play off the bench for them when the game isn`t in the balance and lets be honest, he can only do better than Terblanche who seems intent on kicking everything away.
March 9th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
@SimiJan: Please dont mention Liverpool, Rafa is driving me insane with his insistance on picking Insua and a clearly tired Kuyt
March 9th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
@John Galt: All i can say is that it must be really tough to be in the Sharks side right now
March 9th, 2010 at 3:40 pm
it makes no sense pulling this guy out of the CC now, he needs more game time and I sure everyone will agree that he is better off with Strooli than carrying tackle bags.
March 9th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
‘Odd one’ Ndungane will not be missed. Bring in Mvovo.
Hargreaves is a talent. Lets get him on the field soon.
Will be nice to see Brussouw in black and white in his comeback match.
March 9th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
@ShaunMichaels: you can’t do any worse than Plum right now.
March 9th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
Would like to see this team play.
1.Beast
2.Bismarck
3.Carstens
4.W.Steenkamp
5.Muller
6.Alberts
7.Deysel
8.Kankowski
9.McCleod
10.Pienaar
11.Mvovo
12.Jacobs
13.Murray
14.Vulindlu
15.JPP
16.Smit
17.Hargreaves
18.Daniel
19.Botes
20.Kockott
21.Ndungane/Swanepoel
22.Terblanche
***Put some attacking edge,speed and power into current XV
Tired of the following:
Terblanche-kicking everything away
Kockott-kicking everything away
Ndungane-kicking EVERYTHING away-half hearted chasing
Goode-KICKING EVERYTHING AWAY and getting YELLOWS
Smit-indiscipline/yellows
Du Plessis-indiscipline,yellows and just being a first class idiot in general.
March 9th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
@KZN King Shark: Cant do much with a team that has different goals and agaenda’s!
March 9th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
@mshiniwami: Thank god you arent the coach either!
March 9th, 2010 at 4:27 pm
@pokkel: spot on
March 9th, 2010 at 4:33 pm
@mshiniwami: Got to agree with your assesment there. I differ on a few points but what youve said of the kicking is definitely an issue. Stefan Terblanche I wouldnt replace but as coach Id instruct him to kick only if absolutely necessary and if he has no support. Dont know why the hell he is doing it as he´s one of our best attacking fullbacks. He runs great lines.
3.Carstens Got issues with him – id bring someone else in
4.W.Steenkamp dont get whats wrong with Sykes – one of the better player in my opinion
like the combo of Alberts and Deysel – ouch!!
10.Pienaar Sad but true – better here than at scrumhalf – he looked like a headless chicken here last game. Absolutely useless at scrumhalf
11.Mvovo I like i like
12.Jacobs would prefer Swanepoel when he´s on form
14.Vulindlu yep agreed another one to watch
15.JPP maybe that could work but still think Stefan is a great fullback
no probs with the subs
March 9th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
As long as the Guppies don’t corrupt our Wilhelm.
March 9th, 2010 at 5:54 pm
i actually though goode was just that quite good..
personally i would like to see this team start and only make changes if really needed in last 20 min.
1.Beast
2.Bismarck
3.Carstens
4.W.Steenkamp
5.Muller
6.Deysel
7.Alberts
8.Kankowski
9.Pienaar
10.Goode
11.Jpp
12.Swanepoel
13.Jacobs
14.Ludik
15.Stefan
16.Pat Cilliers
17.Smit
18.Sykes
19.Botes
20.Kockott
21.Murray
22.Mvovo
March 9th, 2010 at 6:38 pm
@ShaunMichaels: Each to their own. I think that backline, given time, could be the Sharks’ best bet. But, yeah, I’m not the coach, just a guy with an opinion…
March 9th, 2010 at 10:03 pm
Crickey u have got the same team I wud pick nly ill be playin mvovo on wing and ludick fulback, but further u got a good side mate, and xhosa kid and simijan, I watched pools game last nyt I mean kuyt is a workhorse but doesn’t have the skill and pace 4 premierleague, and yes insua were manhandled but he’s the only left back, with aurelio out. Anyway they played shiaaaat last nyt. Back to rugby pleaAaaaaaaaaase plum choose deysel and alberts and kanko togeta.
March 9th, 2010 at 11:08 pm
Yes, you need to know who the first team is, more importantly the younger players need to know they have a chance of making the team. 1 beast 2 smit 3 carstens 4 sykes 5 steenkamp 6 alberts 7 deysel 8 kanko 9 pienaar 10 goode 11 mvovo 12 swan 13 ludik 14 pietersen 15 terblanche 16 anyone but jannie 17 bismark 18 hargreaves 19 botes/burden 20 mcleod 21 goode 22 vilundlu/jacobs/jordaan
March 10th, 2010 at 12:25 am
Traveling shark u makin an intresting point puting ludik at 13 havnt thought about it could livin up our play. But wud maybe start bizzi as I’m not sieeng smit leadership comin through and that is 90 persent why smit is chosen , but overall look like An exitin backline
March 10th, 2010 at 10:25 am
@SimiJan: Mate, anyone who puts Ruan Pienaar at 10 should be shot. Pienaar clears the base quicker than most 9’s. When Kockott is at 9 everything become stagnant as a result!