Sharks keep it real

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

Pages: [1] 2 3 » Show All

  • 1.YoMama: Reply to this comment
    27 Jan 2006, 23:06 pm

    Swimming Drake

  • 2.YoMama: Reply to this comment
    27 Jan 2006, 23:08 pm

    I have zero sympathy for Natal. They have lived and survived over the years on Ex Free State and other players and not developed their own. I played club rugby in Durban and no-one from the union ever came to premier games or interacted with the teams.

    Screw em, I say.

    That is what it took the Bulls to get themselves jacked up. Now they have an academy of local players.

  • 3.Hier kom groot k..: Reply to this comment
    27 Jan 2006, 23:13 pm

    No blue-sharks for the blue bulls – just hammerheads and ragged-tooths? I guess they will return as sharks having the blues.

  • 4.GhostShark: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 01:56 am

    Hmmm…not very optimistic. Fans do not want hear that their team will settle for 7th!? Geez it annoys me when Shark-haters like Yo-Mama prattle on about how all the Sharks success was built on the back of FS. It is a thread that has been debated on this site ad nauseam. So f***ing what!? Rugby’s a professional game and the top professionals go where the money is. While it is unfortunate that the Sharks hierachy did not realise earlier that they need to develop their own pool of talent, it goes without saying that top teams will always look beyond their borders for the top players. Besides which, for how many years were the Bulls a laughing stock in the S12 before they got their house in order!?

    Nevertheless, the Sharks have a good squad without being great. Certainly the Shark fowards, the tight 5 in particular, are going to be more than competitive. The shocking draw (does BvR have anything to do with that?), and leaky backline might conspire against them.

    Here’s hoping that they do the business, and once again become a real force in the s14 again.

  • 5.Hier kom groot k..: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 02:55 am

    As someone once said:

    “Mik vir die sterre en jy land op die kraalmuur,
    mik vir die kraalmuur en jy land in die mis!”

    If you don’t go for being the best you may just end up last (and being replaced by the Spears).

  • 6.GCC: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 04:01 am

    don’t know if their tight five will be “more than competive”; they’ll be lucky to “just hang on”.

  • 7.GhostShark: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 07:31 am

    “since” we’re talking in “inverted commas” GCC, “I’d just like to” say that the tight 5 “is” an experienced one, and “one that has delivered” when those around them have “failed”".” While they’ll never dominate a game, they’re “canny enough” to get the upper-hand on unsuspecting teams.

    “thank you”

  • 8.jj: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 08:13 am

    The less you expect the less you can lose and anything unexpected is a gain. Hope they do well, my third team.

  • 9.RickyRocket: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 08:47 am

    To be fair the Sharks have been the best S.A side in the history of the competition and the Bulls the worst.

  • 10.GCC: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 09:00 am

    yeah, don’t get your panties in a knot, ghostie. we’ll see how they go. i just don’t think they are up to it. just an opinion.

  • 11.jondood: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 09:05 am

    GhostShark

    I can see over your last couple of posts that the reality that your beloved “Guppies” will be relegated come end of this years S14 is hitting home.

    Deserved after what your union did by removing the Cheetah’s 1st win from the Currie Cup.

    Has anyone even bothered to own up for that?

    Exactly.

  • 12.Grrrr....I'm a Lion!: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 09:23 am

    What ever, the Cats are still BAAS!!!

  • 13.vleis: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 09:26 am

    Grrrrr….gesuip of wat???????:mrgreen:

  • 14.Bluecap: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 09:35 am

    I think Grrr is a nice chap, just frihgtfully misguided. but I know quite a few Cats supporters, and they’re all the same, maybe it’s a clan thing. You know, that mynehoop dust can do things to a man eh.

  • 15.Grrrr....I'm a Lion!: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 09:48 am

    Vleis

    Could be, we clapped the Jameson’s pretty hard last night… Eish…

  • 16.Stan: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 09:56 am

    Grrr, ek wou ook nou net vta, drink jy nogsteeds? Julle manne van die mynhope moet stadig met Skotland se hoofuitvoerproduk(al is Jameson Iers)

    Anyway, very appropriate names. The Bulls are going to hammer them and they will leave Sin City ragged.
    BTW, the best the Sharks ever did in the S12 was under Straeuli…. and now he is back!

  • 17.Grrrr....I'm a Lion!: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 09:56 am

    Ag, old Van Zyl is crying about losing R1 000 000 because they only have 6 home games. Boet, tell Muir if you get relegated it’s going to be a lot more! Also, what is a mil anyway. Van Zyl, send me your bank details, I will transfer a mil no problem. A mil… small change, ha ha ha!

  • 18.vleis: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 09:58 am

    Grrrrrrr…..obviously the Jameson is still talking loud and clear!

  • 19.Grrrr....I'm a Lion!: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 09:59 am

    Stan

    Ag iemand moet opkom teen hierie siekte van dat elke Afrikaanse man Bulle skree… :) Ja, die Iere kan maar whisky maak. ‘Triple distilled’ en alles maar dit gee nog steeds ‘n moerse babbelas!

  • 20.oink12: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 10:01 am

    Its a real shame the sharks will be relagated.

  • 21.Grrrr....I'm a Lion!: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 10:02 am

    Vleis

    Have a feeling the main babbie is only gioing to kick in round about 12…

  • 22.Grrrr....I'm a Lion!: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 10:03 am

    Giong, giong, gone!!!

  • 23.Stan: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 10:03 am

    Grrrr,
    As jy babelaas het hier is goeie raad:
    Drink 2 liter louwarm soutwater binne 30 sekondes, trek n reenjas aan en gaan hardloop n 2,4km binne 12minute met Gumboots aan.
    Ek belowe jou jy sal nie gou weer drink nie!

  • 24.Grrrr....I'm a Lion!: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 10:04 am

    Stan

    LOL!!! As dit so gewerk het so ek maar ek sal weer…

  • 25.Stan: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 10:10 am

    Dis nou vir almal wat nie vir die Bulls skree nie.
    Vir die Bulle wat babelaas het:
    Baie water, n oordosis multivitamine en enig vorm van suiker-soos heuning. 2 ure se slaap en jy voel weer so vars soos n lentebries!

  • 26.PissAnt: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 10:38 am

    jeez i wish people will take the banter and specifically from who it comes with a pinch of salt sometimes – hell i am a stormers supporter…

  • 27.Stan: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 10:48 am

    Die waar ou PA,
    Die manne wat al lank hier op die site is ken mekaar en kan lekker spot sonder enige venyn. Die die klomp nuwe snotkoppe wat alles verpolitiseer en al die antwoorde het, terwyl hulle nog geen dydrae tot die land gemaak het nie.

  • 28.PissAnt: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 11:02 am

    ja stan,

    daai glashuis gesegde is meer as relevant elke dag op die site.

  • 29.Stan: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 11:07 am

    In elkgeval,
    Ek sou Pienaar op 10 gespeel het, Mathie op 9 en Sister Perc op heelagter. Pienaar gaan n 2e Brent word as hy nie spesialiseer in een posisie nie. Hy is goed genoeg en daar is genoeg ander 9′s in die land.

  • 30.PissAnt: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 11:13 am

    ek weet nie stan.

    pienaar prefer 9. alhoewel ek dink die laaitie moet soos sy pa meer agter toe skuif, ek reken die mannetjie sal n bedonerde goeie heelagter maak.

    sister perc doen blykbaar goed op 10

  • 31.mohawkius: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 11:15 am

    Sharks 1st xv to hold strong for the first 15min, then give way and blue all over the park..

    I for one hope that the sharks can suprise all and come away with a victory, a minimal loss at least.

    Then we can all laugh at the bulls popped heads

    Heres to wishful thinkin

  • 32.mohawkius: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 11:16 am

    Does anyone kno where brent russel is?

  • 33.Stan: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 11:27 am

    Dis waar PA, hy sal n baie goeie heelagter maak.
    Die probleem met Perc op 10 is dat die jong manne nie kans kry om te ontwikkel.Iemand met talent word nie in een seisoen n ster nie. Bosman gaan nog baie swak wedstryde he voordat hy met die grotes kan saampraat.Kyk hoelank het dit vir Carter gevat om die nommer 1 te word. In sy eerste 2 jaar het niemand eers van hom geweet nie.

  • 34.Stan: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 11:28 am

    mohawkius,
    Ek weet waar Brent is, maar ek gaan jou nie sê nie!

  • 35.Simeon: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 11:31 am

    bulls and cheetahs will be the top SA teams. My money is on the cats to get relegated, sharks also candidates. stormers will have an average season. GO CHEETAHS!!!!

  • 36.PissAnt: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 11:34 am

    he is still there, but as always, being shifted and shafted from one position to the other

  • 37.VlieëndeHollander: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 11:41 am

    Ek stem saam met sim. As cheetahs die seisoen sonder erge beserings deurkom kan hulle bo bulls klaarmaak.

  • 38.GhostShark: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 11:55 am

    Jondood
    I cannot tell a lie…twas I whom did remove OFS from the Currie Cup. Now watcha gonna do bout it!?

    GCC: yeah sometimes my optimism gets the better of me. Sometimes my optimism is all I have. This may the season I finally turn religious.

  • 39.Grrrr....I'm a Lion!: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 12:03 pm

    Genade manne, ek dog ek is die enigste een wat nog gesuip is maar lyk my ‘Simmie en ‘vliegende nederlander’ suig ook lekker aan die ‘juice’. Skryf maar die Cats af, ek gee nie om nie. Gaan lekker lag as een van julle spanne biedjie rus volgende jaar.

  • 40.jondood: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 12:05 pm

    GhostShark

    “I cannot tell a lie…twas I whom did remove OFS from the Currie Cup. Now watcha gonna do bout it!?”

    I am going to hypnotise Ollie Le Roux and convince him that you are a cheeseburger.

  • 41.vleis: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 12:06 pm

    Grrrrrr…….die son trek water,en as die groot “B” jou kap,gaan ek bly wees dat ek nie jy is nie!

  • 42.Grrrr....I'm a Lion!: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 12:07 pm

    Vleisie

    Kom nou maat, laat dit nou gaan. Ek het klaar jammer gese dat ek jou ‘wedding day’ opgedonner het! :D

  • 43.vleis: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 12:09 pm

    :lol: :lol: :lol:

    Jond.,you are cracking me up!

  • 44.vleis: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 12:12 pm

    Ja ja Grrrrrrrr…..,ek sal jou vergewe,maar net omdat my pa altyd gese het,”Never trust a man who does not drink,maar koester die manne wat ‘n dop kan vat!”

  • 45.Grrrr....I'm a Lion!: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 12:14 pm

    Vleis

    Die probleem is nie die dop vat nie dis die ‘day after’… Ek het nog boewe gaan jaag gister aand met my gesuipte lyf. Wonder wat ek so gedoen het as ek een gekry het??

  • 46.vleis: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 12:17 pm

    Hom genooi het vir ‘n knertsie? :?:

  • 47.Grrrr....I'm a Lion!: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 12:18 pm

    Nadat hy my TV terug gegee het sure… :)

  • 48.Grrrr....I'm a Lion!: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 12:18 pm

    En ek het my torch verloor… :(

  • 49.vleis: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 12:21 pm

    Hehehehe…..!!!!!!!!!

    Sien,daars ‘n rede hoekom ‘n mens nie met ‘n dronkgat moet rondhardloop mie!

  • 50.vleis: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 12:22 pm

    Cheers ou maat,ek moet bietjie gaan werk by die huis.Geniet die naweek!

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Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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