Ruan ready to rumble

Ruan ready to rumble

20 Jul 2006

Sharks scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar is eager to make up for a disappointing loss against Griquas by defeating the Vodacom Blue Bulls at Loftus on Friday night.

“All the guys are positive despite the setback,” Pienaar told keo.co.za. “I am really looking forward to the Bulls game.”

Pienaar’s superb performances in the Vodacom Super 14 earned him a call-up to the pre-season Springbok training camp and subsequently saw him play for the Springbok XV against a World XV.

But now Pienaar faces his sternest Absa Currie Cup test against a side who have the ability to make a scrumhalf’s job difficult by sending his pack backwards. The 22-year-old is under no illusions about the challenge that lies ahead.

“When you go to Loftus you have to be at your very best. If not, it’s going to be a long and hard game for you.”

With Butch James’s emergency Springbok call-up in the wake of yet another flyhalf crisis, Pienaar finds himself with a new halfback partner in the form of the highly rated Brad Barritt. The combination have operated before at Super 14 level and Pienaar speaks in glowing terms of his 19-year-old flyhalf.

“I think Brad has loads of potential. He is a gutsy player but at the same time has awesome skill with the ball in hand. Playing with Butch is always great but Brad brings something different, so it’s exciting.”

Sharks coach Dick Muir hinted midweek that he was considering playing the versatile Pienaar at No 10 but Pienaar insists his preferred role is at 9.

“Ja, I like playing flyhalf. It’s a nice position in terms of your involvement in the game and I don’t mind covering if the team needs me to. But I see myself as a scrummie first and foremost.”

With the introduction of a dual squad system Pienaar has had a week long break from rugby (he came on as a substitute against the Griquas), and has been concentrating on improving his strength and conditioning. He said the system has been extremely successful.

“Obviously I’d like to play every weekend if I could but it’s good for the guys and helps us get over little niggles and build strength. The benefits will show in the long run. Watching on TV or from the bench has also made me more hungry to get out there and perform for my team.”

Expect the Sharks to play the attacking style rugby they’ve become associated with under the tutelage of their innovative coach, but don’t be surprised if they take the Bulls on with the forward game that has become synonymous with the team from Pretoria.

For Pienaar one factor will determine whether his side will be responsible for a huge post match Pretoria party or silencing the Bulls faithful. “Our forwards are going to be the biggest factor in this game. If they can lay the foundation for us well take them on with our backs.”

By Ryan Vrede


29 Comments

  • 1.big g: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2006, 11:27 am

    ruan is a dragon…

  • 2.skunk: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2006, 11:30 am

    Ruan should be in NZ not here beibg a dragon

  • 3.Andre_WP: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2006, 11:39 am

    Heini is going to have a hard time. Sharks to win by 12 points.

  • 4.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2006, 11:41 am

    See Bill Young retired officially…

  • 5.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2006, 11:41 am

    Andre

    Have you ever predicted a win for the bulls against top sides?

  • 6.Andre_WP: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2006, 11:56 am

    Suparugby , many times. Maar ek dink hulle gaan so bietjie sukkel hierdie jaar met die nuwe coach waaraan hulle moet gewoond raak en die feit dat hulle top spelers nie daar is nie. Dink ook hulle het ‘n fout gemaak met die kaptein wat hulle gekies het.

  • 7.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2006, 12:11 pm

    Andre

    Het saterdag met Adriaan Strauss gepraat by n party. Hy se mense maak n berg van n molshoop oor die Meyer/Human storie. Hy se Meyer is nog by hulle oefening, hulle oefen presies dieselfde ens. Oor die kaptein stem ek saam, maar wie anders?

  • 8.Andre_WP: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2006, 12:19 pm

    Ja gelees Meyer is nog betrokke by die span wat natuurlik baie goed is. As die S14 begin weet hy prisies wat in die span aangaan. Dink nie julle sal ‘n probleem he as julle top spelers trug is nie. Daar is genoeg goeie spelers om die kapteinskap oor te neem. Maar Sterkte vir moreaand. Gaan ‘n goeie game wees om te kyk met ‘n lekker koue bier

  • 9.Skim: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2006, 12:21 pm

    Rumble in the jungle?

  • 10.Fuzzybear: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2006, 13:00 pm

    Ruan should be in New Zealand other than playing around with Bulls clowns!

  • 11.Kudu: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2006, 13:36 pm

    Walk in the park for the Sharks.

    This Bulls team is just not up to standard. They couldn’t complete a decent 80 mins against the Pumas, and as a WP/Stormers supporter, I know the warning signs.

    The Bulls should be VERY worried.

    SUPA,

    Sharks by 30

  • 12.Skim: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2006, 13:38 pm

    PROOOOOOOOOVVVVIIIIIIINNNCCCEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!

  • 13.Kudu: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2006, 13:41 pm

    WEEEE PEEEEE, JOU LEKKA DING, WEEE PEEEE…..
    WEEEE PEEEEE, JOU LEKKA DING, WEEE PEEEE…..
    WEEEE PEEEEE, JOU LEKKA DING, WEEE PEEEE…..
    WEEEE PEEEEE, JOU LEKKA DING, WEEE PEEEE…..
    WEEEE PEEEEE, JOU LEKKA DING, WEEE PEEEE…..

  • 14.Kudu: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2006, 13:42 pm

    PROOOOVIIIINCCCCEEEEEE !!!
    PROOOOVIIIINCCCCEEEEEE !!!
    PROOOOVIIIINCCCCEEEEEE !!!
    PROOOOVIIIINCCCCEEEEEE !!!
    PROOOOVIIIINCCCCEEEEEE !!!
    PROOOOVIIIINCCCCEEEEEE !!!

  • 15.Skim: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2006, 13:43 pm

    Nou praat jy!

  • 16.snoop: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2006, 13:49 pm

    PROOOOOOOVIIIIIIIINCCCCCCEEEEEEE

  • 17.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2006, 13:57 pm

    prooooooooooooooooooooooooblemmmmmmmsssssssssss lol
    well ek se kom ons sien wat gebeur saterdag
    all i know is i have to be honest
    the sharks backling worries me
    noble and bobo have no form and although im a big fan of odwa it worries me as he is tried for a first time at fullback in such a match

  • 18.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2006, 15:08 pm

    BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

    BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!

  • 19.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2006, 15:09 pm

    kudu

    maak reg om dit saam my te skree! BUUUUUUUUUUULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEE

  • 20.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2006, 15:12 pm

    BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WWWWWWWWWWWWPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

    Dis hoe dit geklink het toe Barry opkom Saterdag!

  • 21.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2006, 15:13 pm

    PRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVVVVVVIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNCCCCCCCCCCCCCEEEEEEEEEEEEEE SSSSSSSSSSSUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • 22.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2006, 15:14 pm

    This thread belongs to a BULL!!!

  • 23.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2006, 15:17 pm

    BBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAA

    IIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSS

    KKKKKKKKKAAAAAAAAAAAAKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!1

  • 24.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2006, 15:24 pm

    BBBBUUUUUULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEE

    CCCHHHHHAAAAAAAMMMMMMMPPPPPPPPSSSSS

    22222222000000000000000000066666666!!!!!!

  • 25.Kudu: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2006, 15:34 pm

    Supa,

    Dit was baie snaaks Saterdag. Ek was op die
    Spoorweg-pawiljoen, en kyk, as jou eie ondersteuners jou BOO, wys dit seker hoe k*k Barry op die oomblik is !!!

  • 26.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2006, 15:42 pm

    en ek dog dis net ons Bulle wat hom nie like nie…

  • 27.Kudu: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2006, 16:53 pm

    Nee wat, Supa.

    Hier in die Kaap is ons gatvol van Barry, Joubert, Gus & Kie. Ek dink dis hoekom ons ook so excited is oor al die jong outjies wat nou speelkans kry.

  • 28.Skim: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2006, 21:51 pm

    This thread belongs to an idiot.
    And I dont mean you.

  • 29.BoksRFoks: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2006, 22:31 pm

    Why is Ruan playing in this match? Shouldn’t he be starting against the ABs instead of that quota player Januarie?

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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