Davidson’s boot ousts Pienaar
22 Mar 2006
Dick Muir has included youngster Heinke van der Merwe and veteran Craig Davidson in his starting XV to take on the Hurricanes in the Vodacom Super 14 this weekend. Deon Carstens and Ruan Pienaar miss out.
Davidson, who has impressed from the bench in his limited opportunities thus far, has been handed jersey 9 for the first time this season. His proficiency with the boot would have been the major compelling factor behind his selection over the in-form Pienaar, and suggests that Muir will favour an aerial bombardment to neutralise the dangerous Hurricanes backs.
Van der Merwe performed admirably in week one against the Chiefs, but the SA U21 prop will be tested against All Black back-up Neemia Tialata. John Smit’s steadying influence alongside will be crucial.
Muir has shown faith in the remainder of the side that ousted the Highlanders. Odwa Ndungane’s good form has solved a troublesome position, and JP Pietersen will again seek to underline why he is the hottest young prospect in South African rugby.
The back row combination of Warren Britz, Jacques Botes and AJ Venter performed well last week, with Venter again standing tallest. His Bok shares rise every weekend.
SHARKS SIDE TO PLAY THE HURRICANES
JP Pietersen; Odwa Ndungane, Adrian Jacobs, Andries Strauss, Henno Mentz; Tony Brown, Craig Davidson; AJ Venter, Jacques Botes, Warren Britz, Johann Muller, Johan Ackermann, BJ Botha, John Smit (c), Heinke van der Merwe. Subs: Bismarck du Plessis, Deon Carstens, Albert van den Berg, Daniel Farani, Ruan Pienaar, Waylon Murray, Brad Barritt/Gcobani Bobo
44 Comments
22 Mar 2006, 14:20 pm
Hopefully the Sharks will come away with a win this week end
22 Mar 2006, 14:20 pm
whats the difference between this thread and the other thread?!?! Its the same aint it?!?!?
22 Mar 2006, 14:23 pm
And perhaps due to the fact that Ruan has cut his hand and Deon has a niggle. Duh Chris.
22 Mar 2006, 14:28 pm
Obviously its been a slow day on the Sharks news front …
22 Mar 2006, 14:42 pm
CSI can’t you see, the article title is diferent
22 Mar 2006, 14:42 pm
Davidson also for his better defence and defensive organisation.
22 Mar 2006, 14:49 pm
Knersboy
lol, Point taken.
22 Mar 2006, 14:49 pm
Is Solly injured?? Just wondered cos he’s not even on the bench…
22 Mar 2006, 14:50 pm
better boot, my ***!
Pienaar has a huge boot…
so, you dont think it has anything to do with the cut on his hand then, eh Chris?
22 Mar 2006, 14:50 pm
Does anyone know what’s wrong with braam?
22 Mar 2006, 14:52 pm
Solly was injured, went home with Russell after the Tah’s game – he is currently playing for the Wildebeeste
22 Mar 2006, 14:52 pm
Solly is in sa, playing for the wildebeest.
22 Mar 2006, 14:54 pm
Now that’s a demotion.
22 Mar 2006, 15:01 pm
They will need the experience and mongrel of Davidson for this one. As lovejoy pointed out, Pienaar is a superb kicker.
Good Luck Sharks. You have hopefully turned a corner that I for one thought very far away.
22 Mar 2006, 15:24 pm
Pienaar needs a rest anyway. Nobody can play week after week without putting in a bad performance at some stage. This is a good time to rest Pienaar.
Hopefully Solly will get gametime when the Sharks are back in Durbs!
22 Mar 2006, 15:27 pm
Pienaar is on the bench. Not bad rotation policy because if Davidson does have a kak game, they can always call on Pienaar, but Davidson has a blinder and plays the whole game this gives Pienaar a well earned rest. It is also not weakening the team too much because not only is Davidson is a class player, the team is not being affected because only two players are being rested and the core from last Saturday is still there. Just a thought, use it don’t use it!!
22 Mar 2006, 15:29 pm
Pienaar needs a break, still a long tournament ahead and Davidson did well when he came on. He’ll also make for a good impact player. I like Carstens, but he often picks and drives with no support and gets penalised.
My biggest worry is the centres … jacobs defence is questionable at the best of times and now he is up against Nonu.
22 Mar 2006, 15:36 pm
What’s wrong with Braam? He’s kak, that what’s wrong with him!
Sorry, SG – you baited me. I took it.
22 Mar 2006, 15:45 pm
well at least they still have two great replacements to come on in times of need…
22 Mar 2006, 15:53 pm
Rob and earlier you rated him. Make up your mind!
Kevin – i hope **** give grant rees a chance when they play at home.
22 Mar 2006, 15:59 pm
Sharkgirl,
Don’t worry, **** Miur will replace Andries Strauss with Grant Rees when the Sharks are back in South Africa…
22 Mar 2006, 16:02 pm
Charlie…i really hope so, grant needs a chance.
I hope **** plaus that somaon wing as well.
22 Mar 2006, 16:08 pm
Sharkgirl,
As I said before, don’t worry it will happen…
I doubt that **** Miur will replace Henno & Odwa without any injuries…
22 Mar 2006, 16:12 pm
Cant wait to see Russell back in action. Where to put him though?
22 Mar 2006, 16:16 pm
there are no samoan wing,he is back with his club in the UK.farani plays 8.
22 Mar 2006, 16:18 pm
I know, but i would love to see Andy Tuilagi in action against the likings of the bulls backline.
22 Mar 2006, 16:19 pm
blik – he did go back to his club, but is back in sa. Playing for the wildebeest.
22 Mar 2006, 16:21 pm
o didnt know he came back again.you mate dawn is on the black wings thread.full of rage as ever.I think she failed to get someone who she could pay to celebrate Steak and ******* day with.
22 Mar 2006, 16:27 pm
LOL Blik
Don’t think we are mates though.
22 Mar 2006, 16:28 pm
SHE IS MATES WITH NO ONE.SHE HAS SERIOUS ANGST IN HER THAT CHICK.
22 Mar 2006, 16:34 pm
It’s a big mistake not to start with Pienaar. He is world class in the making!
22 Mar 2006, 16:35 pm
yeah Lang, he is, but the depth is there so rotate him to make sure he stays the best.
22 Mar 2006, 16:37 pm
Bliksem, you are right there is no Samoan wing because Alesana went back to the UK.
Sharkgirl the Samoan you’re talking about playing for the Wildebeest isn’t Alex- it’s Andy (his brother) and he plays centre.
22 Mar 2006, 16:42 pm
Good point, Knersboy. I don’t want him being pawed by those killer loosies.
22 Mar 2006, 16:54 pm
They both play centre, and sorry it’s i didn’t know there is 2 of them.
22 Mar 2006, 19:29 pm
:…will favor an aerial bombardment to neutralize the dangerous Hurricane backs.” That makes sense, not. Kick the ball to one of the most potent back three in the competition. If they don’t hold on to the ball the Canes will beat them. Period.
22 Mar 2006, 23:16 pm
Sharks to take 5 and with a good brand of rugby too. 2 things worry me though; the scrum(which was under pressure at times vs otago, and Ady’s defence. Rees maybe? That said, if they can keep this up they should give them hell at the very least.
22 Mar 2006, 23:48 pm
Davidson is a Durban Legend!
23 Mar 2006, 07:09 am
Go sharks make us proud . The only sa team to win on the road thus far.Sharkgirl I saw Dawns messages and she’s a real wild one
23 Mar 2006, 07:25 am
pompies dawn is nie n wild one nie.sy is plain onbeskof en mislik.
23 Mar 2006, 08:01 am
Ag kom nou bliksem, ons almal weet jy’s kak bang vir haar.
23 Mar 2006, 08:10 am
He! he! nothing like a bite on the side.
23 Mar 2006, 08:11 am
nice one sharkies
23 Mar 2006, 08:21 am
Johnny7,
So you reckon actually on the otherhand should the Sharks lose it is going to be because of Adi Jacobs defence and a under pressure scrum…Then you are definitely not so confident about a five point take out of this match…
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