Pienaar power scalps Chiefs
11 Feb 2006
A vintage performance from 21 year old Ruan Pienaar inspired the Sharks to a 30-21 win over the Chiefs in their Vodacom Super 14 opener in Durbs.
Pienaar and Jean de Villiers are not names accustomed to occupying the same sentence, but after a sparkling 80 minutes the comparison emerges with vigour. The debate over positional preference and suitability has seen both generate reams of newspaper copy, but – like De Villiers – Pienaar on the field has provided all the answers.
He wants to wear 9, and not 10, and it is easy to see why. His score from 60m out was reminiscent of his defining effort against the Brumbies last year, and provided a similar catalyst. This time 15 minutes were on the board, and King’s Park forgot the pains of the Currie Cup in the 20 seconds it took for him to snipe from the base of a scrum, take a miniscule gap, and beat both Mils Muliaina and Sosene Anesi for the ultimate scrumhalf try. The score was critical as it brought the scores level at 7-7 after an early Sione Lauaki battering, and was remarkable for the calmness of its execution.
Great players have the ability to slow the frenetic chaos around them to a walk, as further exhibited by De Villiers throughout 2005. Whilst it may be premature to attach descriptives such as ‘great’ to Pienaar, the effortless ease with which he scored a class try does suggest the future ahead is more special than solid. The way he subsequently took pressure off Percy Montgomery at 10 with pinpoint box kicking was a further testament to his composure and skill.
It was his clever loop round from first phase – and critical straightening – after 21 minutes that created the space for Gcobani Bobo to get within a metre, and give Montgomery the opportunity to show why his next career move should be to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL as he leaped over the ruck to score. It was 14 points in six minutes, and provided the ammo the home side needed to free themselves from the shackles of early season trepidation.
A chargedown from skipper AJ Venter on halftime, and resultant second score by Monty, had Dick Muir punching the air, Brian van Zyl raising his glass and the carnival atmosphere return to Durban for the first time in a while. The 24-10 lead was reflective of an opening 40 in which the Sharks’ opportunism swamped a side renowned for that quality.
Three tries up and with a bonus point beckoning, the Sharks blighted the night with a scrappy second half in which Monty’s boot kept the visitors out of range. Misfiring halfbacks Byron Kelleher and Stephen Donald managed to put their star-studded line away once in the 49th minute, but otherwise both produced displays dominated by indecision and sluggishness.
Like the Stormers earlier today, the Sharks’ inability to finish off their opponents can be attributed to pre-season predictions of doom. Despite what either coach has said, relegation and not semi-final contention is still forefront in their minds, and ensuring the victory takes precedence over the gamble for bonus points.
Ultimately, Dick Muir can reflect on a performance high on passion but low on clinical execution. Venter’s presence in the pack is immeasurable, and his mongrel allied with Johan Ackerman’s bulk meant the forwards denied their opponent’s dangerous backline sufficient ball to inflict mortal damage.
With the Cheetahs arriving next weekend, the potential for two wins from two is more realistic than farcical. Muir will know there is work to be done, but four points in the bag is reflective of a performance that was deserving of victory.
SCORERS
Sharks – Tries: Ruan Pienaar, Percy Montgomery (2). Conversions: Montgomery (3). Penalties: Montgomery (3).
Chiefs – Tries: Sione Lauaki, Sosene Anesi. Conversion: Stephen Donald. Penalties Donald (3)
76 Comments
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12 Feb 2006, 09:19 am
Tackledoos
Based on that performance I reckon any of the aforementioned scrummies could replace Kelleher. Heck, I played u14b at number nine and I think I’d still be a little more accurate than Kelleher was.
12 Feb 2006, 09:37 am
dont forget joggie viljoen who also played in nz
12 Feb 2006, 09:57 am
Heyneke, kyk bietjie na hierdie Ruan Pienaar vir volgende jaar. Fourie du Preez lyk bietjie nonchalant vir my. Ry op sy reputasie, jy weet. FdP was baie stadig en voorspelbaar teen die Cheetahs.
Teken Ruan Pienaar volgende jaar, sodat ons bietjie die gemiddelde spoed en flair in die span kan opstoot. Hy kan roteer met FdP sodat ons hom nie uitbrand nie. Brute krag het ons genoeg van in die span, maar daar is min spelers met daardie spesiale talent wat nie aangeleer kan word nie (spelers soos Jean de Villers, Victor Matfield, Bryan Habana, Wynand Olivier, Schalk Britz).
12 Feb 2006, 10:03 am
North Harbour might have been a “kid brother” in the past but has contributed 10 players to the Blues this year. Woodcock, Rawlinson and McAlister are regular starters.
12 Feb 2006, 10:32 am
Hi Guys
From all the games this weekend only three games stood out for me.
Blues vs Harricanes , the best game of the weekend. Harricanes coming back from behind. The Harricanes backline was very good for me.
Crushaders vs Hilanders , we all know that the Crusaders are the best team sins super 10 started many years ago. They are a very solid team over the years and it looks to me they are going to go all the way again. But it’s early in the year so lets see what happens.
Sharks vs Chiefs , this game also started very good. Sharks played as a unit and with there senior players back in the mix it’s going to be a beter year for them. Should have got a bonus point would have given them alot of self convidence this early in the tournament.
12 Feb 2006, 11:02 am
ah, morning after glow.
now for some completely one eyed optimism and manipulated stats. 1996, sharks in super 12 final. 2000, last on the log, changed coaches, 2001 super 12 final, 5 years after their last final apprearance.
2005, last on the log, changed coaches, 2006, well it is 5 years later….
12 Feb 2006, 11:14 am
oh yeah, has anyone tried mediazone.com for live streaming? i see they cover everything but i am not sure if they can show in europe. anyone know? i cant find any mention on the site but surely the same applies for them as for kuduclub.
12 Feb 2006, 11:15 am
ignore last question. only US and Canada, damn.
12 Feb 2006, 11:15 am
Did Dave Van Huslin also not have a season with the Hurricanes – I know Viljoen did.
As scrumhalf’s go I feel that you need more than one with different skills. Stormers have this in Bolla and De Kok.
Bolla is better for the wet and gets the forwards moving forward. He like to run round the scrum and and gets to breakdown quick.
As for Niel he has a longer pass more crisp and in the same place ewach time – this give the flyhalf more time to decide as he can lie deeper / further away from the breakdown. This type of player is better for a dry running game.
Both have good kicking skills so not much it in there.
The problem I find is the we don’t tend to play our players for the right cause. I do believe that Bolla should go to WC for the reason above as we know the chances of rain are high since it is Europe.
Pienaar is a very good player – the problem is he has too much and think it’s a matter of ‘jack of all trades master of none’ They need to find him a position and keep him there and not move him around. I rate him very highly from the bit I have seen of him, and think he will go far.
It’s a bit like Jean they seem to play him all over the back-line and they should find him a home and leave him there – so what if you want him to play wing and he wants to play inside center – the TEAM must benefit and to do this moving a player all over the place does not make sense.
12 Feb 2006, 11:20 am
I would play Ruan Pienaar on the end of year tour give the poms a surprise an I would give him a go at the expence of Fourie Du preez cause in my eyes du preez just passes to slow at the breakdowns an kicks too much
12 Feb 2006, 11:27 am
hey, i just realised that by the end of week one the sharks have won the same amount of games that they did in the whole super 12 last year.
12 Feb 2006, 11:29 am
Du Preez is there for his size. Size is a big thing in SA rugby (and the old boys club).
Just been looking at the 365 site and they have stats for the Ireland France game and not sure how they work:
France Ireland
Mins in possession
12:58 1st half 17:28
14:21 2nd half 24:05
Mins in opponents half
16:05 1st half 26:43
13:56 2nd half 33:19
if you add up the time they don’t make sense (the possession ones can understand as when balled kicked no-one has it) but the time in opponents half should be 80 min but this is not the case. Can any-one help me understand these.
12 Feb 2006, 12:04 pm
fantastic, ya, that young pienaar is very talented, country is getting some great scrumhalf depth, pity we dont have any decent flyhalves.
12 Feb 2006, 12:06 pm
Nice one Sharkies!
Didn’t realise the game was scheduled to be on Sky, no surprise that they shafted the SA rugby public yet again! Think the reason we can’t get kuduclub or mediazone in Europe is down to those clowns at Sky as they have the rights to show games they choose. All boils down to priorities, rugby isn’t high on their list – especially SH rugby. Only having 4 channels is also a bit limiting, you’d think with all the cash they’ve got swilling around they’d be able to match DSTV!!
12 Feb 2006, 12:11 pm
Sky time is up – even the footy here have ‘split’ their packages and the TV companies can not have more than two so it’s not the case of one getting all. This may help the cause as Sky will need to get they folks to buy into their sport so next market is the rugby ….. we hope and pray
12 Feb 2006, 12:47 pm
“Fourie du Preez lyk bietjie nonchalant vir my. Ry op sy reputasie, jy weet.”
What reputation?
(Joggie Viljoen played for Northland, arguably the very weakest NPC Div 1 side in all NZ! Again, nowhere near a Super 12 side!)
12 Feb 2006, 13:23 pm
Viljoen did play for Hurricannes see http://www.capitalshakers.co.nz/articles_releases/11.php
12 Feb 2006, 13:31 pm
If I recall he also did a stint in UK – Viljoen big problem he moved around too much to get a good look in. but think he was up there in his day
12 Feb 2006, 13:35 pm
see pic of Viljoen in highlands vs cannes games at http://www.prosportphotos.co.nz/display.aspx?image=80185
so he must have been rated
12 Feb 2006, 15:47 pm
Wow!!!!!!!!!
Finally I’m proud to be a sharks fan again. I love the way they played in the first half, looks very promising. Russel also looked dangerous as usual with the very little ball he did get. I just wish we’d do the basics right consistently. So many times I saw players carrying the ball up into the contact situation in the wrong hand and losing the ball. The lineouts were usually very impressive, especially in the first half, but then we’d lose concentration again. Guys like Ruan Pienaar, Brad Barritt and JP Pieterson make me very excited for the future of Sharks rugby. The sharks at the moment are playing the right sort of rugby they and have plenty of flair but they need to be more steady. I was very nervous for the whole of the second half. We need guys like Butch and Tony to come in and complete the team. I almost got the feeling we were a bit lucky to win it last night, a good team would have gone on to win the bonus point. Still very exciting though, but still don’t know what to expect of the season to come.
12 Feb 2006, 16:00 pm
If we dont beat the Cheetahs next week then Im certainly not looking forward to the Crusaders game.
Come on Sharks, lets kick *** this year.
12 Feb 2006, 17:56 pm
Pienaar’s try was certianly one of the best scrumhalf tries I’ve seen !!! that boys got real talent, just a pitty Jake is to full of **** to select him !!!
12 Feb 2006, 19:23 pm
Agree G-man and Im a kiwi
13 Feb 2006, 00:01 am
Agree that Pienaar looks a Springbok candidate for the World cup. As one of the thousands of ex-pats living in Kiwiland let’s be certain of one thing – Tackler does not represent the views of the x-pat fraternity here.
robably needs the services of Waitakere Health!!
13 Feb 2006, 07:10 am
Jake White,the good talent spotter that he is,has probably pencilled in Ruaan’s name 4 the Boks.He would not walk into the side,but Jake will bring him in slowly.That im certain of.Cause he is a special player.
13 Feb 2006, 12:50 pm
Jeeez, If ever there was a quota player it is Bobo!! Man he continuously flabbergasts me with his incompetence!! Holy Cow! He cant catch, does not know what a defensive channel is, and insists on grubber kicking at the most inopportune times!!
It was not so much his slipped tackle that led to the Chief’s try, but his complete overrun of his channel – he was heading straight for the wing channel, despite being a centre. My gransmother could’ve stepped him!! If he was a normal employee, he would be on three written warnings for that gamae alone!! What is he still doing in the team?
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