Muir has no regrets

Muir has no regrets

17 Jul 2006

Dick Muir will continue with his dual-squad system despite the Sharks’ one-point defeat to Griquas last Saturday.

The Natalians now go into a tough fortnight with matches against the Vodacom Blue Bulls and Cheetahs.

The Durban-based side took an unbeaten record into Saturday’s encounter with Griquas and were on the receiving end of some glowing media reports for their innovative dual squad system.

Griquas, though, are traditionally difficult to beat at their rock-hard Kimberly base and the second-string Sharks struggled.

“It was disappointing,” Muir told in the Sharks website, “because we created a lot of opportunities, but didn’t finish them off. With a youthful side, we probably panicked rather than being composed and grinding back from the deficit.

“It is a character-builder to come away from a place like Kimberley, where you feel everything is stacked against you, and you lose by one point when you know you should have won the game. As disappointed as we are, we got a lot of positives out of it. We just hope that it doesn’t come and bite us at the end of the season.”

With Western Province looking more impressive every week and facing easier fixtures (Valke away and Lions at home) in the next two weeks, the pressure will be on Muir’s team to produce wins at Loftus and Absa Stadium.

However they can take encouragement from the return of their ‘first’ team for both clashes. AJ Venter will return to captain the side along with most of the players who triumphed over the Lions and Western Province in the opening rounds two rounds of the tournament.

One notable absentee though will be Butch James, called up to the Springbok team after Jaco van der Westhuizen’s dismal showing against Australia. It is not yet clear who Muir will entrust with the No 10 shirt but Steven Meyer and Bradley Barrit look the most likely candidates.

Muir looks forward to the challenge that awaits his team and has full confidence that they’ll overcome this setback.“We now have to determine our own destiny and go out and continue with our process.”


14 Comments

  • 1.skoorsteen: Reply to this comment
    17 Jul 2006, 10:51 am

    Ek worry niks

  • 2.jonnow: Reply to this comment
    17 Jul 2006, 10:58 am

    Do your thing ****, keep persisting with youngsters and unearthing talent like you have been doing up to now.

    It will only benefit Sharks rugby going into the future. If only Jake (win at all costs to preserve the pathetic unbeaten at home record) White had adopted a similar plan in 2 years ago.

  • 3.ktb: Reply to this comment
    17 Jul 2006, 11:10 am

    **** I applaud you for seeking to unearth those gems that are there. JW should take a leaf out of your book. There again ****, you may well be in a position to apply these principles to the BOKS sooner than you think.

  • 4.Le Fou: Reply to this comment
    17 Jul 2006, 11:13 am

    Go ****,

    you’re on the right track unearthing the youngsters and allowing your players to think for themselves. Loosing to Griquas is only part of the process and of little consequence in the bigger picture (all teams have lost at least one anyway). Yeh! for someone with an open mind!

  • 5.zama: Reply to this comment
    17 Jul 2006, 11:24 am

    **** lost on purpose…

    He was scared he was going to be flown over to take over from jake if he won…
    Clever man!!

  • 6.Dutchman: Reply to this comment
    17 Jul 2006, 11:31 am

    U go ****…..just keep Russel with you when they call HIM for the Boks. Please

  • 7.rastafox: Reply to this comment
    17 Jul 2006, 11:31 am

    Nice one zama

    Go you good thing go!!!!!

  • 8.ebay addict: Reply to this comment
    17 Jul 2006, 11:57 am

    lol @ zama

  • 9.Mickey: Reply to this comment
    17 Jul 2006, 12:06 pm

    Good one **** – at least you are thinking out the box and showing everyone that to make progress in rugby you need some grey matter and not only brawn.

  • 10.bigg: Reply to this comment
    17 Jul 2006, 12:13 pm

    I laughed my arse off when I saw the Score. My wish came true on Friday!! I wished the Sharks would lose and they did… ha ha ah LOL

  • 11.Le Fou: Reply to this comment
    17 Jul 2006, 12:16 pm

    Chill Bigg,

    it will change this weekend.

  • 12.aquarius27: Reply to this comment
    17 Jul 2006, 12:28 pm

    Bigg so they lost … at least there seems to be a plan and some thinking that will develop a good team and better results both for SA and the Sharks in future … Beware the resurgence!

  • 13.Quinnyshark: Reply to this comment
    17 Jul 2006, 12:45 pm

    bigg
    Just pray that Watson is not called up – cause then the WeePee bubble will burst. Yes, they are playing very well, but Watson is clearly carrying the team! It will be a headless chicken outfit without him…for all the talent at their disposal!

  • 14.Duke Toaby: Reply to this comment
    17 Jul 2006, 18:45 pm

    Jake will not pick LW this year, maybe next year when Schalle can’y play coz his neck ank right yet.

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