Hall fights on

Hall fights on

7 Jun 2006

Former Springbok wing Dean Hall will look to impress coach Dick Muir when the Sharks Invitational XV take on the Western Force in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday night.

Hall’s career has been hampered by serious knee injuries. According to one doctor who examined him in 2002, his knee cartilage had turned into that of a pensioners. The winger fought his way back, signing for the Sharks at the beginning of the 2005 season, but failed to crack the Sharks Super 14 squad this year. However, he made several appearances for the Wildebeest in the Vodacom Cup, and is now hoping to play a part in the Currie Cup.

“This is really a great opportunity to prove ourselves to Dick,” Hall told keo.co.za. “Every player out there will be playing for a Currie Cup spot, so we know how important this game is.”

The Western Force seem to be the favourites, boasting a number of the Super 14 stars who impressed in the regional tournament.

“We know it’s going to be a tough game, as they have some quality players who most of us have never played against,” said Hall.

Brock James and Chris O’Young looked a talented halfback combination for the Western Australian franchise this season. If they get good ball from their forwards tonight, they will test the Sharks side.

They also have the advantage in the front row, as David Fitter, who has played for the Brumbies and the Wallabies, will pack down against a relatively inexperienced Sharks scrum.

In the loose, captain Luke Doherty, who has played for Australia at U21 level, will do battle with another Springbok, Solly Tybilika, who is one of the few to have played Super 14 rugby in this squad.

Dick Muir has put together a combination of bright youngsters and old hopefuls like Hall, who has just recovered from injury. After tonight’s encounter, Muir will have a good idea of just how deep the well of Sharks talent goes.

“The bonus is having Dick in control, as he brings an air of calmness to our game,” says Hall. “For myself, who has just come off an injury, this game will be a chance to build my confidence and hopefully win a place in the Currie Cup side.”

Western Force squad:
1. David Te Moana 2. Luke Holmes 3. David Fitter 4. Tyler Edwards 5. Matt Windle 6. Luke Doherty (c) 7. David Pocock 8. Richard Brown 9. Chris O’Young 10. Brock James (vc) 11. Brett Stapleton 12. Haig Sare 13. Zander Peden 14. Dan Bailey 15. Gavin DeBartolo 16. Ryan Tyrell 17. Kieran Longbottom 18. AJ Whalley 19. Elliot Kuhlmann-Hall 20. Josh Fuimaono 21. Will Brock 22. Vitori Buatava 23. Matt Shaw 24. Ben Ward 25. Ryan Lenergan.

Sharks Invitational Squad:

Forwards: Nardus Wessels, Skipper Badenhorst, Jody Jenneker, Robbie Harris, Corne Mollendorff, Werner Cronje, Claude Dry, Steven Sykes, Solly Tyibilika, Nico Breedt, Ryan Kankowski, Conrad Stoltz, Braam Immelman, JC Strauss, Vuyo Matomela.
Backs: Sandile Nxumalo, Rudi Dames, Craig Burden, Dean Hall, Okkie Vermeulen, Howard Noble, Dusty Noble, Greg Goosen, Grant Rees, Andrew Binikos, Frans Steyn and Mzwandile Stick.

By Jon Cardinelli


24 Comments

  • 1.Quinntessential: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2006, 12:24 pm

    Go Dean!!

  • 2.Quinntessential: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2006, 12:27 pm

    Where is Scott Staniforth injured?

  • 3.capeflatsboy: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2006, 12:28 pm

    bet Solly won’t even make this starting XV

  • 4.capeflatsboy: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2006, 12:29 pm

    In Aussie squad

  • 5.cab: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2006, 12:29 pm

    looks like a 3rd choice sharks side.

  • 6.Quinntessential: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2006, 12:31 pm

    Thanks cfb

  • 7.Rudebud: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2006, 12:33 pm

    Dean Hall was useless as a Springbok. Think he scored only 1 try in all the games he played. One of the most overrated players ever.

  • 8.brains_trust: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2006, 12:36 pm

    i wonder how slow ol deano must be by now!!

  • 9.Pussycat: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2006, 12:57 pm

    And the try Hall scored as a Bok was probably against the USA. Pathetic.

  • 10.Kudu: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2006, 13:06 pm

    Hall is a ‘never-was’. So, there’s no comeback to speak of, cause he never was anywhere…

    One of the most overrated players ever.

    Did you guys see Paulse’s new afro ?

  • 11.Kudu: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2006, 13:15 pm

    BTW, what’s the latest on Geo after his accident on the farm ?

  • 12.handbagslasher: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2006, 13:27 pm

    Please won’t somebody just steal Hall’s wheelchair. This guy is making a mockery of himself, maybe he played a good game or 2 when he was in primary school, but for pete’s sake he is useless!!

  • 13.handbagslasher: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2006, 13:28 pm

    He’s had more comebacks than any other player in the history of the game, there is a better chance of Jonah making the AB’s this season.

  • 14.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2006, 13:29 pm

    Thank goodness JC survived initiation ceremony.

  • 15.Kudu: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2006, 13:35 pm

    WP’s currie-cup squad :

    The squad is as follows (names in surname alphabetical order according to position):
    15 Gio Aplon/Shandre Frolick/Joe Pietersen
    14 Egon Seconds
    13 Sarel Potgieter/Corne Uys
    12 Mark Esterhuizen/Morgan Newman/Gus Theron
    11 Chumani Booi/Zhahier Rylands
    10 Peter Grant/Naas Olivier
    9 Bolla Conradie/Neil De Kock/Paul Delport/Charl Mcleod
    8 Adri Badenhorst/Pieter Louw
    7 David Hendricks/Justin Melck/Pieter Myburg
    6 Robbie Diack/Leon Karemaker/Luke Watson
    5 Andries Bekker/Gerrie Britz/Mpho Mbiyiso
    4 Selborne Boome/Duimpie Theron/Francois Van Der Merwe
    3 Riaan Vermeulen/Attie Winter
    2 Schalk Brits/Huia Edmonds/Deon Fourie
    1 Gerrit Dyman/Schalk Ferreira/JD Moller

    Injured

    Tonderai Chavhanga
    Neil Fullard
    Werner Greeff
    Rob Linde
    Francois Louw
    Ross Skeate
    Dougie Wheatley

  • 16.handbagslasher: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2006, 13:40 pm

    the province boys have alot of talented youngsters. potgieter, melck, myburgh and karremaker. these guys should put up their hands in the CC.

  • 17.HarryD: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2006, 13:41 pm

    This is a WForce developement squad, hardly any of them have played Super 14

  • 18.Rudebud: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2006, 13:54 pm

    Kudu

    It was reported last year that Leon Karremaker had a rare eye disorder that may have spelled the end of his rugby playing career ? You, or anyone else, know anything about it ?

  • 19.JC: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2006, 14:05 pm

    Initiation ceremony?

  • 20.wolfman2006: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2006, 14:38 pm

    The Force no. 7, Pocock, is a Zimbabwean born 100kg+ 18 year old monster. Seen him strolling the streets of Perth once or twice, the dude was raised when meat was cheap!

  • 21.Kudu: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2006, 15:35 pm

    Rudebud,

    I have no idea what the situation is on his eye. I tried a google search now as well, but no luck.

  • 22.possessed15as1: Reply to this comment
    7 Jun 2006, 22:56 pm

    Hall was a good defender but thats about it..and he could break some tackles.

  • 23.Viper6: Reply to this comment
    8 Jun 2006, 09:52 am

    Dean Hall had some good games for the Boks. Pity about all his injuries.

  • 24.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    8 Jun 2006, 16:51 pm

    wolfmann

    I seen the NZ U19 prop at age 17/18 walking around town here he too must have been raised at the same time meat was free, he is 197cm and 132kg, now what the hell are these youngsters on?!?!?

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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