Sharks, Stormers tipped for S14 success
19 Jan 2009
Former Springbok assistant coach Alan Solomons believes the Sharks or Stormers could become the second South African winners of the Super 14 while his outlook for New Zealand’s franchises is bleak.
Solomons, who currently works as a high performance consultant for the IRB, coached the Stormers to a semi-final in 1999 and was also the assistant to Nick Mallett during a golden period for the Springboks when they went 17 Tests undefeated. In addition, he has also coached Ulster to the Celtic Cup title.
Speaking to keo.co.za from Belfast, Solomons predicted that the quality of the Sharks’ squad and their coaching staff meant they had the best chance of winning the tournament, but he noted that the Stormers were an emerging force who would build on their improvement in 2008, and challenge for the title this season.
“My money is on the Sharks and Stormers to make the play-offs and then for one of them to kick on from there and win the whole thing,” he told this website.
“South Africa are currently in a golden cycle in terms of the calibre of players we’re producing or currently have playing the game at Super 14 level, and the Sharks in particular have the bulk of those elite players. They have the depth in talent, and in [John] Plumtree they have an outstanding coach. Their strength lies in the fact that they can rotate their squad and still field an unbelievable unit.
“The Stormers did well under Rassie [Erasmus - head coach] in 2008. I liked the brand of rugby they played and they’ve made some good signings between now and then. They’ll build on what they achieved last year and if they can get into the semi-final anything can happen on the day.”
Solomons noted that it would be a defining season for Bulls coach Frans Ludeke, who last year failed to mount a successful title defence with the Pretoria franchise.
“Last year was tough for Frans. He had just taken over the defending champions and replaced Heyneke Meyer, who had built that squad of players over a number of years,” he said.
“He struggled to put his unique mark on that side, which makes 2009 a defining year for him. He did well in the Currie Cup, but the measure of the man will come in the Super 14. He’ll be helped tremendously by the return of [Victor] Matfield though. I think people underestimate his impact from a playing and leadership perspective. It’ll be huge.
“There’s a question mark about how they’ll go, but I certainly think they’ll finish in the top half of the table. That said, if they play to their potential consistently they have the ability to win the tournament.”
His outlook for the Lions and Cheetahs was less optimistic however. Solomons identified a lack of depth as the primary challenges they would have to overcome if they hoped to be involved at the business end of the tournament, but he didn’t foresee them finishing in the top half of the table.
Meanwhile, Solomons noted the mass exodus of players from New Zealand to Europe would continue to hurt them.
“You could probably pick a very strong All Blacks side from the New Zealanders playing in Europe,” he said. “Their franchises have suffered with some top players deciding to move north and [Dan] Carter’s and [Robbie] Deans’s departures will certainly make the Crusaders vulnerable.
“Neither they nor Australia have the depth of talent we have to combat an exodus like that. When I was coach of the Stormers [between 1997 and 2000] the New Zealand blokes would often tell me that a fifth New Zealand franchise is not sustainable because they simply didn’t have the quality of players to fill five.
“This all points to a successful year for the Sharks and Stormers. I’m very positive about their chances. In fact, if they manage to keep their core of their sides together over the next four or five years, they could well dominate in the manner the Crusaders have.”
By Ryan Vrede
415 Comments
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19 Jan 2009, 11:33 am
#45 It is just a game:
Thats irrelevant…who wants to know who the sharks are…only if they are competitive then there might be some interest.
19 Jan 2009, 11:33 am
#50 RedLion roars again: The Lions is an interesting case. They have a solid pack and watch out for Ross Geldenhuys – he is going to rock. If Pretorius can manage a S14 without injury, a top 8 position is more than getable. Just hope that guys like Mentz, Labuschagne and Willemse will add some value…
19 Jan 2009, 11:35 am
#47 Sharksgirl:
You sure…they had all the talent last year and with Plum.
Wish you luck!
19 Jan 2009, 11:38 am
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19 Jan 2009, 11:39 am
#51 Wallabie. – The English always have an excuse after a pomp!!: THis year they WILL be competitive! Remember that Muir is now with the Springboks (look at the Boks, did they not look like the Sharks in S14 2008?) no more stupid squad rotation! Plum has allowed the team to Settle into positions, including our two predigious talents Ruan and STeyn, and when Boyd gets the Backs to fire on all cylinders, you will see we will be among the top four!
19 Jan 2009, 11:39 am
Correct Watsonsemoer.
I think in previous year we Lions supporters put too much pressure in the Pride to win the S14.
With more experience and now that we have wingers that can actually catch a ball and finish off – which we could not do last season – things are looking up.
19 Jan 2009, 11:43 am
#29 NZINCHINA:
Almost the same ad nausum stuff about you boys winning the WC!
19 Jan 2009, 11:45 am
#50 RedLion roars again:
The Blues will not be contenders Redness. The Teams that make up their Franchise, all had a less than memorable ANZNPC.
It may be a year or two, before the groundwork they are putting in comes to fruition. If indeed they putting in any groundwork. Normally they just bicker among themselves.
Of the NZ Teams, the Hurricanes remain basicly intact, and should be contenders for the Semi’s.
And while the Crusaders have lost Carter, Ali Willians and Sommerville they will be a well drilled and formidable Team just the same. Definately contenders.
Carter replaced by Brett.
Ali replaced by Filipo.
Somerville by Crocket.
Different pipers, same tune.
19 Jan 2009, 11:47 am
#53 Wallabie. – The English always have an excuse after a pomp!!: Yep but we also had Muir who never kept the same team for any match, look at Steyn he played every position other than hooker and prop! Also look at Plum, he took a forward pack that went backward if the oposition merely looked at them and turned them into what they are today, our backs are extremely talented and now with the Kiwi back line coach (Chris Boyd) and the input from Johns (Have I got the name right? That League legend from Oz) hopefully our backs will reach their true potential. Don’t discount the Sharks!
19 Jan 2009, 11:50 am
#58 cane:
Cane, talk me through the ANZNPC. Whats with the lack of crowd support? Hangover from the WC still or some other feasable reason? Empty stadiums in most games I saw.
19 Jan 2009, 11:53 am
59 Sharkgirl
The Sharks are the only SA that may prevent the Mighty Lions from claiming the SA grand slam.
19 Jan 2009, 11:54 am
#59 Sharksgirl: I believe we have this season what we lacked the previous one. A good backline coach that will make our backs just as formidable as the forwards.
19 Jan 2009, 12:02 pm
#60 clamburger: spooner, you figured out how to change your nic eh?
i see the banter has begun, nice!
everybody ready for an *** whupping from the sharks?
season ticket? check!
make it worthwhile as usual Plum and co.
19 Jan 2009, 12:03 pm
#61 RedLion roars again:
Ai man, The moon is also made of cheese
19 Jan 2009, 12:07 pm
#60 clamburger:
No clammer, people just got better things to do.
Since professionalism arrived, I don’t think people feel that they have ownership of the game anymore.
The Club and Provincial competitions are gutted of all high class players for much if not all of the competition.
The “Agents” pluck even good Club players, and export them to Japan and Europe. NZ has far more professional players Overseas than at home.
The irony for you Okes, is that when you finally do manage to win the S14, in a year when all our best are not getting recondition………..no one in NZ will care anymore………..We’ll all be at the Soccer. Here in Wellington the local Professional Soccer Team, get better crowds than the Rugby.
This would have been unthinkable 15 to 20 years ago. NZ has changed a lot, and continues to do so. Much like SA I assume.
(I’ll still care).
19 Jan 2009, 12:12 pm
#63 rangerman:
So da Clam is in fact da Spoon ?
What with Skoppie having 5 or 6 nicks, and now Spoonism going Schistophrenic…………….
19 Jan 2009, 12:12 pm
#61 RedLion roars again: Yep I think they may just do that, remember that the Lions are coming to play at The Shark Tank
19 Jan 2009, 12:13 pm
#65 cane: thats a sad story cane.
sad.
but it begs the question…………
why have a world cup in a country where no-one cares anymore?
19 Jan 2009, 12:17 pm
#62 It is just a game: Agree with you 100%!
19 Jan 2009, 12:18 pm
#66 cane: it is a guess cane. i saw spooner asking how to change his nic and he was called a clamburger by hater a few times so……….
19 Jan 2009, 12:19 pm
#65 cane: You don’t think that perhaps the real reason for a lack of Kiwi support is the fact that your team cant get their hands on the Webb Ellis trophee.
19 Jan 2009, 12:20 pm
#43 Watsonsemoer:
I agree with you Herr Watson. It will be a very even competition, with at least 6 or 7 Teams in contention for higher honours………much like last year.
Crusaders.
Sharks.
Hurricanes.
Tahs.
Stormers.
Bulls.
……..and maybe the Chiefs/Brumbies.
19 Jan 2009, 12:20 pm
#4 Xkreni-WP: Jislaaik exkreni maar jy’s oorspronklik met jou grappies. Wat dink jy van jou eie span se kanse die jaar? Gaan hulle weer die top 10 breek?
Ek verwag ‘n semi van die stormers die jaar, dis dam een stappie verder as ’08, ‘n final sal ‘n moerse bonus wees en die titel net ‘n droom.
19 Jan 2009, 12:24 pm
#71 It is just a game:
No not all Justa..
In fact that only adds spice/interest to the mix.
i.e. We get to Play World Campions, and kick there arses.
19 Jan 2009, 12:26 pm
#63 rangerman:
Close, but no cigar ranger
I think a few of us got called a clamburger!!
19 Jan 2009, 12:30 pm
#75 clamburger: so…………………………….whatever! howzit buddy!
19 Jan 2009, 12:30 pm
#65 cane:
Yeah, I see the Pheonix are right up there (top 6?) and have a healthy support base. The soccer did not take off in Akld when it was tried a few years back.
Nice “suzzie” type jibe about your boys being reconditioned
19 Jan 2009, 12:31 pm
#74 cane: You mentioned soccer as a excuse. Are the Kiwi kids getting more involved in soccer because you can earn more money maybe? I don’t have a lot of knowledge of Kiwi soccer except that they are Oceania champs.
19 Jan 2009, 12:31 pm
#76 rangerman:
19 Jan 2009, 12:32 pm
anyone watch that canadian lunatic on animal planet last night “habituating” a pride of lions on foot?
dave salmoni is his name and the show was “into the lions den”.
what a fekking nutcase, totallly opposed to anything like that but…………dave is a good guy even if he is a fekking nutcase
19 Jan 2009, 12:33 pm
#79 clamburger: yes!!
19 Jan 2009, 12:36 pm
where is dawn?
19 Jan 2009, 12:38 pm
#53 Wallabie. – The English always have an excuse after a pomp!!: Plum was not the coach last year. Muir was. Big difference with Plum being head coach for the Sharks. See your final four without the Sharks there. Nah cant see that. Sharks will be in the final four and probably could make the final this year.
#72 cane: Thats what I had above earlier. Well something like that.
#65 cane: If NZ stopped caring about rugby it would be very sad indeed. Then they really did give the wc to the wrong country. Can we have it then? I know South Africa would grab for the chance to hold it here again. Cant see us stop caring about rugby here ever. Soccer is huge here aswell but so is rugby. Anyway to hear that Wellington get better crowds for the soccer than rugby is really sad. Always thought in NZ rugby was numer one sport there.
19 Jan 2009, 12:38 pm
#50 RedLion roars again:
“My money in no order is on the Canes, Tahs, Blues, Saders and Sharks. The Bulls, Chiefs, Brumbies all stand an outside chance of making the semis.”
Interesting comment that. So you’re not even giving the stormers an outside change of making the semis? Weird considering they finished well above the Bulls, Chiefs and Brumbies.
19 Jan 2009, 12:38 pm
ranger, hav’nt seen dawn for a while to be honest. It’s been quiet during the cricket, apart from the bun fight with the lunetic fringe
19 Jan 2009, 12:40 pm
In my view NONE of the Australian S14 franchises will make the playoffs.The Brumbies have lost too much quality over the years and have a new coach.Have a new captain in the lightweight that is Hoiles.Mortlock is their only class player and he is getting on a bit.Ashley Cooper had a shocker of a 2008.
Force are the most consistent side but have bben going through a lot of internal turmoil in the off season-Mitchell saga+Giteau threat to leave.
Reds will fare better this year,watch out for Leeroy Houston he will have a big 2009.But they are not champoinship material.
Tahs ahve lost their long time coach in McKenzie and their talisman in Rocky ElsomLost Dunning for the season and Kepu for most of the S14.Without those guys they look very green espeially in the backs.Will be in top6 but no playoff.
19 Jan 2009, 12:41 pm
#71 It is just a game:
Also Justa………..i think we just get too much Rugby.
I am getting to the later stages of middle age.
When I was young, we played SA in a Test Series every 4 years or so. It was novel, it was rare, it was classic stuff. Once a decade to witness these titanic matches.
The Boks, the Lions and the Wallabies would come to my little Town, thrash my little town 60-0, and we would think it marvelous. But they don’t go to my little Town any more. And AB’s don’t play there either.
Our good players don’t even stay to play club rugby, because they cannot get noticed unless they to “The City”.
Rugby is losing the Heartland.
Soccer is taking over. Rugby League gains ground every year.
But hey …………..we still got a few wins in us yet. 8)
19 Jan 2009, 12:41 pm
#65 cane:
The weather is shite, ticket prices are too high and SKY offers great coverage, I paid NZ$700 for my ticket to see the Lions play in 05″ – uncovered stand and beer included in that price, what a waste of money won’t be doing that again.
19 Jan 2009, 12:41 pm
#62 It is just a game: Yip think so too.
19 Jan 2009, 12:43 pm
#77 clamburger:
“Nice “suzzie” type jibe “…………….let not the guilty rest.
19 Jan 2009, 12:46 pm
#88 NZINCHINA: How you mate? hope well. You need to come watch rugby in SA then. Full sun here in the winter lots of beer and huge big braais too. Great vibe always at the rugga here. Especially at the Shark Tank. Our tickets for the Lions tour is also very expensive but think its all sold out already.
19 Jan 2009, 12:47 pm
#85 clamburger: sheesh, there has been blood on the walls round here recently
#86 mshiniwami: what was the mitchell saga about? the force seem to have the most controversy of any side. last year they were drunkenly chucking qokkas about, this year infighting.
but i rate them and i like the style of rugby they play. i think they may be more dangerous this year and wouldnt be surprised if they finish in the top four or just below.
19 Jan 2009, 12:48 pm
#82 rangerman: She was here last week ranger but only for awhile not all day like she normally is. Maybe still on leave I think. I know she said she was taking leave from the 5th of Jan.
19 Jan 2009, 12:48 pm
#91 Puma:
Hi Puma, mate have been very fortunate to catch two games in SA, Ellis and Loftus have to agree with you, the sun was shining as was the beer and biltong.
19 Jan 2009, 12:49 pm
Overseas AB’s XV
1.Meeuws
2.Oliver
3.Hayman
4.Jack
5.Rawlinson
6.Collins
7.Holah
8.Masoe
9.Kelleher
10.Carter
11.Gear
12.Mauger
13.McCalister
14.Howlett
15.Blair
16.Newby
17.Blackie
18.Taumopieau
19.Somerville
20.Regan King
21.Tuitupou
Wow …Thats a lot of quality players
19 Jan 2009, 12:49 pm
#90 cane:
or the hallucinations continue
19 Jan 2009, 12:50 pm
84 Bergbok
Yes indeed. But there is no need for me to jump on that wagon – there are hundreds of Capies on keo who will shout for the WP and their semi spot
19 Jan 2009, 12:51 pm
Right, outaya, cheers boys………….
19 Jan 2009, 12:51 pm
#78 It is just a game:
Not using soccer as an excuse justa……….that’s just the way it is.
My son plays soccer. It’s his choice. It’s what his friends play.
The Junior membership at my local Soccer Club has increased by 20% a year for the last 5 years.
The Soccerites love their game to, and promote it really well, with passion and a genuine love of the game.
19 Jan 2009, 12:51 pm
#93 Puma: ah yes, that must be it puma, cheers.
you still in umhlanga?
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