Sharks keep it real
27 Jan 2006
Dick Muir is realistic when assessing the Sharks’ chances of success in the Vodacom Super 14 this year.
Speaking at the Sharks media launch at Sun City on Friday, Muir admitted his squad wasn’t in the same league as the likes of the Bulls and Crusaders.
“I’m not going to come out and say that we’ll win the Super 14, because then people will laugh at me,” he told keo.co.za. “The fact is we have a side full of youngsters that can be competitive if they do the basics well. Obviously a team like the Bulls – who reached the semi-finals last year – are in better shape than us and have more experienced players, which is why Saturday’s games will give us a good indication of how far we’ve come as a team.
“The fact is, it’s going to be an incredibly tough year for us, but I believe we can be competitive,” continued Muir. “We’ve had a three-phase approach to the season. Phase one, against the Leopards. Phase two, against the Bulls and phase three, against the Cats. By the time we play the Chiefs [in the first round] we should be ready.
Muir said his players would not be putting too much pressure on themselves going into the Super 14.
“As long as we go out there and give our best, I’ll be happy,” he said. “I want us to get away from the ‘win at all cost’ mentality. We must be able to walk into the changeroom after a game and hold our heads up high. We’re not thinking about relegation at this stage, even if the supporters are. It’s not even an option.”
The Sharks on Friday named their two sides to take on the Bully Boys. While Heyneke Meyer has opted to play his first-choice XV for the main game at 5pm, Muir has refused to reveal his Super 14 hand.
“We’ve brought up 36 guys and selected two evenly matched teams,” he said. “There are a number of combinations that we’ll be keeping a close eye on. Our decision-making was a concern in the Currie Cup, so I’m keen to see if we’ve improved in that area.”
Like Muir, Sharks CEO Brian van Zyl didn’t bother with the smoke and mirrors.
“Our performances last year weren’t good and we have to take it on the chin,” he said. “We’ve been working very hard since the end of the Currie Cup to make sure it doesn’t happen again in 2006. Everybody has been writing us off, which is a great challenge for us. We are apparently the worst of the South African teams and we have a chance to show the country and the world that that’s not the case. We believe we’ve gathered the best squad we possibly could and it’s all systems go.”
When asked what goals he had set for the Sharks, Van Zyl was frank. “We’ll be happy to finish in the top seven,” he said. “If we make the semi-finals then that would be a fantastic achievement. One thing is for sure though, we don’t want to finish last!”
Van Zyl finished off with a parting shot at the organisers of the Super 14. “We only have six home games this year, while other SA teams have seven. Apart from the financial knock we’ll take – as a home match can bring in R1-million – it could also have an impact on which team is relegated. I’m also not happy that we have to cross the Tasman Sea twice when on tour – we are the only side in the history of the tournament to do that two years in a row.”
Sharks teams to play Bulls at Sun City:
HAMMERHEADS XV
Greg Goosen, Odwa Ndungane, Grant Rees, Bradley Barritt, Craig Burden, Scott Spedding, Scott Mathie, Jaco Gouws, Braam Immelman, Solly Tyibilika, Johann Muller (c), Johan Ackermann, Danie Saayman, Skipper Badenhorst, Heinke van der Merwe.
RAGGIES XV
JP Pietersen, Dusty Noble, Gcobani Bobo, Andries Strauss, Brett Hennessey, Percy Montgomery, Ruan Pienaar, Jacques Botes, Nico Breedt, Warren Britz, Albert van den Berg, AJ Venter (c), Brent Moyle, Bismarck du Plessis, Deon Carstens.
RESERVES
Jody Jenneker, Pierre du Toit, Steven Sykes, Daniel Farani, Sandile Nxumalo and Henno Mentz
122 Comments
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28 Jan 2006, 13:45 pm
No worries! Nothing like a bit of friendly banter!
28 Jan 2006, 13:49 pm
Mongril,
Met so n naam sal ek nie ander manne van bloedskande en inteling beskuldig nie!
28 Jan 2006, 13:50 pm
Is daar niks ander nuus vandag nie?????
28 Jan 2006, 13:51 pm
Hell Stan, you know how it is…
“The sins of your fathers…” and all that.
Gelukkig is ek darem nie te stupid vir ‘n proefbuisbaba nie!
28 Jan 2006, 13:56 pm
Die voordeel van n proefbuisbaba is dat jy nie sommer met AIDS gebore kan word nie!
28 Jan 2006, 14:03 pm
Ok then, I will be a journo.
BREAKING NEWS!!!
The SA Super 14 teams have finally come together and decided to give their best players to SA’s newest franchise the Spears. A official from the Lions, Mr. Goobleygook has told Keo that they have signed over their most dangerous winger Jorrie Muller to the cause. The Sharks and Stormers were not far behind and players like Werner Greef (affectionatly called ‘Up and Under’ by his fans has joined the Spears in the Eastern Cape. Gus Theron will join him soon and ‘Slapchips’ little brother will also go (what’s his name?). The Sharks have also shown their support and will decide which of their legends will head of to the spears. The Bulls have yet to decide wich players they will contribute but could not qoute before going to press as they don’t have any players of this caliber. Robbie (THE LEGEND) Fleck has been rumoured to coach while Chester Williams will be available on a insulting, sorry, consulting basis. The Provinces was qouted saying nothing will stop them from helping a Province win the Super14, and with these players we will have the cup next year in the Eastern Cape.
28 Jan 2006, 14:04 pm
Flippit – ek dink selfs dit is nie eers meer waar nie!
Hulle het jare laas die proefbuis “dishwasher” by eneige provinsiale hospitaal opgegradeer.
In der waarheid – jy sal gelukkig wees as jy net een tipe AIDS kry as jou proefbuis eers deur een van daai masjiene was!
28 Jan 2006, 14:04 pm
And if you don’t give us more news NOW I will write another one!!
28 Jan 2006, 14:06 pm
Grrr… – maak jou vrou bly en gaan sny die gras. Ag toe man…
28 Jan 2006, 14:10 pm
Mongril
Why, don’t you like my piece?? Please don’t say that…
Boet, if I was at home to do the gras and cut the wife I wouldn’t be on this site.
28 Jan 2006, 14:12 pm
Grrr
Your post is very close to the truth
28 Jan 2006, 14:13 pm
Jon
I would have added Bulls players but got bored so don’t take it as a compliment…
28 Jan 2006, 14:14 pm
Sh*t – don’t cut the wife Grrr! [Unless you're in Afghanistan where such behaviour is quite legal and in fact encouraged].
28 Jan 2006, 14:17 pm
Mongril
You from there? Hear it’s a nice place to visit.
28 Jan 2006, 14:21 pm
No Grrr – I kind of have a problem with limpet mines in sandpits at creches; golf courses that consist only of bunkers; and a hustler magazine that contains a veiled beauty on the centrefold.
Only 3 of the many reasons why it would not be an ideal home for me.
28 Jan 2006, 14:23 pm
Mongril
All true except the Hustler part. They are getting very vulgar there, the last week they even showed ancle! Where is this world going???
28 Jan 2006, 14:24 pm
Mongril,
Jy bedoel daai masjiene is so vuil dat die kokkerotte met Gumboots daar rondloop?
Grr,
Jy sal n baie swak rugby joernalis uitmaak as jy nie ware legendes soos Chris Rossouw se naam kan onthou nie. Hierdie man val in die klas van ware helde van weleer soos Ettienne Fynn,Dale Sandton Mac Masiepa, Hugh Reece Edwards, Tinus Linee, Jerome Spaarwater en Wayne Fyvie.
En dan het die bullsnatuurlik die fenomenale Norman Jordaan opgelwer.
28 Jan 2006, 14:29 pm
Stan
Hoe kon ek!!! Genade… En al daai legendes ook. Ek skaam my dood… :blush: Hoop nie Keo fire my nie!
28 Jan 2006, 14:29 pm
Stupid smiley… :b
28 Jan 2006, 14:29 pm
Darn… I give up…
28 Jan 2006, 14:32 pm
Dale Sandton’s new book is on release. ‘How to go form the Boks to club rugby (B league) in 1 year..’ Inspirational!!!!
28 Jan 2006, 15:33 pm
Jeez PA
You are on a roll Boet
Giving the Bulls horns, albeit an Orange one
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