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, 21:06 pm
Quiet in so far tonight!
19 Jan 2009, 21:08 pm
#250 carol: Hi..
Very quiet tonight…. was about to leave…. when I smelled Grapefruit essence…
19 Jan 2009, 21:09 pm
#252 grootblousmile: How spooky is that!!
19 Jan 2009, 21:09 pm
Ja laat ek ook maar gaan ons intimideer die oningeligtes.
19 Jan 2009, 21:09 pm
#250 grootblousmile:
Bly maar n rukkie.
Hoe gaan met hb?
19 Jan 2009, 21:10 pm
#253 carol: Why ??
19 Jan 2009, 21:10 pm
So quiet I was going to do the Superbru thingie.
19 Jan 2009, 21:11 pm
#256 grootblousmile: I didn’t realise it was THAT strong!! Might have to tone it down a bit!!
19 Jan 2009, 21:11 pm
#255 Supa Die Bloubul: OK…oorwerk soos gewoonlik… en met AK ?
#254 superBul: Aggenee, chat ‘n rukkie
19 Jan 2009, 21:12 pm
#258 carol: Hehehe…. no not necessary to tone it down….
19 Jan 2009, 21:14 pm
#260 grootblousmile: Right!!
What have I missed today?
19 Jan 2009, 21:16 pm
#260 grootblousmile:
AK 47? lol Gaan goed, klink of sy dalk werk gekry het daar…ons is maar effe verveeld vandag, toe gaan koop ons maar wintersklere!
groete se vir HB!
19 Jan 2009, 21:17 pm
#261 carol: Dunno, was’nt here today !
19 Jan 2009, 21:17 pm
Daai stutte en slotte kon darem met die REDS en die Hurricanes afreken. En die man met sy 2de jaar tricks praaitjie. Kombinasies is al klaar gevorm , spelers ken mekaar. Jy wil vir Rassie kritiseer met Ludeke as jou coach? hahaha. ja nee kyk. Manne ek wil julle herriner dis 2009 , nie 2007 nie.
19 Jan 2009, 21:17 pm
Hello everyone.
19 Jan 2009, 21:18 pm
#262 Supa Die Bloubul: Fokkkkkkk, kom help my werk, ek het te veel en jy loaf !
19 Jan 2009, 21:22 pm
En Blousmile ja ons is bietjie kort in kwaliteit diepte inni forwads maar julle is ook maar dun op julle eie plekke. As Morne Steyn beseer raak is julle gef*k
19 Jan 2009, 21:22 pm
#261 carol: i see you miss me , no photos lately , the grass is too long.
I hear thunder again in the background, rain coming again.
19 Jan 2009, 21:24 pm
#265 wp_boytjie:
Stormers was n surprise pakket laasjaar…almal het hulle onderskat. Die jaar sal niemand meer nie. Stormers gaan laer eindig as laasjaar. Ek sien net nie grafters in die Stormers se vaste 5 nie. Die voorry gaan sukkel en die slotte is maar dun. Bekker en Schalk Brits speel ook meer senter as iets anders. Tyd sal leer. Ek voorspel Stormers mid-table.
Bulle was teenoorgestelde. Almal het verwag hulle moet weer finaal toe gaan, maar n nuwe coach, kaptein en klomp sleutelspelers beseer, moes ons eintlik geweet het ons gana sukkel. Daar is egter geen verskoning vir n 10de plek nie.
Sharks sal semi maak, Bulls 50/50, Stormers skraal buitekans.
19 Jan 2009, 21:27 pm
#269 Supa Die Bloubul: Sharks should make the semi. Hoping the final aswell. Bulls could make the semi. Bulls finished well last year.
19 Jan 2009, 21:30 pm
#267 grootblousmile:
Ek sien jy is besig, jy is besig om te blog!!
#268 wp_boytjie:
Ja, maar JVDW kom terug en kan seker n game of twee uithelp. As Steyn lank uit is dink ek ons is in moeilik.
Maar mens weet nooi hoe jong ouens soos Francis en Brummer sal reageer nie, hulle kan dalk net moer goed vertoon. MAar ek is ook bekommerd oor loskakel.
Stormers moet bekommerd wees oor stut, slot en loskakel. Willem De waal was hondkuk laasjaar.
19 Jan 2009, 21:30 pm
Groot kukpratery weer hier sien ek…..
19 Jan 2009, 21:31 pm
#269 Supa Die Bloubul: Tyd sal leer ja , die ELV’s het wel bewys dat voorspelers meer mobiel as tevore moet wees. Dis hoekom manne soos The Beast , Schalk Brits en Andries Bekker almal Springbokke geword het in 2008… almal lekke senter gespeel en nuwe hoogtes in hul loopbane bereik
19 Jan 2009, 21:33 pm
Spooner see you there. Was that you today with the new nick?
19 Jan 2009, 21:34 pm
#271 Puma:
Wouldnt mind another Bulls/Sharks final!! But after last year I doubt if the Bulls will make the semi. They have the tea,, but I think they lack a bit in the coaching department.
19 Jan 2009, 21:35 pm
O ja Jaco Van Der Westhuyzen is mos terug. Gaan hy vir julle ‘n paar drop goals uit sy eie 22 try skop?
19 Jan 2009, 21:36 pm
#273 wp_boytjie: Nee hel moenie laat ons praat oor spelers wat Bok kleure cheap gemaak het laasjaar nie.
19 Jan 2009, 21:37 pm
#276 wp_boytjie: Maar dis allright as FS dit try??
19 Jan 2009, 21:38 pm
#274 wp_boytjie:
Ja, en Schalk is geweeg en te lig bevind. As die Stormers se tight 5 sterk staan kan hulle ouens roer. Ek persoonlik dink Grant is maar n kukkerige loskakel maar met Schalk en JDV sal julle heeltyd kompeterend wees. Daai twee is moer goed. En die backline se sukses sal baie van Naqeluvuki afhang.
Ek sou hom op vleuel hou want hy paas nie n bal nie. Hy is baie sterk en wen baie veld, maar met hom op senter gaan die vleuels nie die bal sien nie.
19 Jan 2009, 21:38 pm
#275 Supa Die Bloubul: Could still do it. Bulls have the players and finished strong last year. This year they start with Vic aswell. Must say Sharks do have great coaches this year.
Nothing better than two SA sides in the final. A Sharks and Bull final would be awesome. Draws huge crowds. Even in the cc as its about the same team really.
19 Jan 2009, 21:39 pm
wynand olivier en chiliboy is ook cheap
19 Jan 2009, 21:40 pm
#277 wp_boytjie:
Hopelik is dit oor die keer!! lol
Ek sien hom as n impak speler. Verkieslik heelagter of vleuel. Hyt in 2007 baie keer dinge aan die gang gesit as hy opkom. ek dink spesifiek aan die finaal en die Blues game. Hy moet net loskakel speel as Steyn seerkry en Francis nie die mas opkom nie. MAar minstens is hy daar.
19 Jan 2009, 21:41 pm
#282 wp_boytjie:
Nee fark, WO was baie goed in die ccup. Selfs n ou wat die Bulle haat soos jy moet dit erken.
19 Jan 2009, 21:44 pm
#281 Puma:
I doubt it, I wouldnt mind though. The new rivalry in SA is anyway between the Sharks abd the Bulls. The Stormers/WP havent won anything since 2001.
19 Jan 2009, 21:44 pm
ja ek hap net daai anne ou bitji k-k , WO was goed. maar ek lees Wayne Julies begin die naweek ? Julle het dam baie diepte inni senters. WO en Jaco Pretorius is op papier seker die bester senter paar wat julle die afgelope jare kon field. baie belowende kombinasie…
19 Jan 2009, 21:47 pm
Ek hoop net nie JP Nel kry ‘n game nie. Walking yellow card
19 Jan 2009, 21:48 pm
#286 wp_boytjie:
Ek rate JAco Pretorius nogal. Een van die min senters in SA wat n clean gap gereeld slaan. Omtrent net hy, JDV en Jacobs. Hoop maar net hy kry genoeg bal en FDP/Steyn skop nie alles weg nie.
JA, senters is ons orraait. Julies, WO, Pretorius, JP, Delport en Dippenaar het al almal s14 gespeel. Ek worry meeste oor haker. Kuun gooi swak in. Dit het beter gelyk in die ccup toe Vic terug is, maar ek wonder nog of hy nie terug ses flank toe moet gaan nie.
19 Jan 2009, 21:48 pm
#284 Supa Die Bloubul: Yip it is the new rivalry. Sharks and Bulls. Those teams playing each other bring the crowds. Was awesome the cc last year. Also the S14 final the year before. Just sorry we lost though….lol.
I remember the days when it was N.Tvl and WP that were big rivals.
Not so sure about WP this year. Will have to see how the game goes against the Sharks first. Think Sharks should win that by 7.
Just saw in a earlier post that you and your wife moving over to the UK? Will be a nice experience.
19 Jan 2009, 21:49 pm
#280 Puma: I hope your team realize they are on a downward curve and would have to play out of their skins to stop the rot.
From finalists in 2007 to semi finalists in 2008 to……
No man you guys are unanimous favorites to be SAs best team, enjoy the ride.
Hope your team have a good season
19 Jan 2009, 21:49 pm
#287 wp_boytjie:
Verkies Pretorius bo hom. Maar die ou het al drie ccup’s en n s14 titl agter sy naam al is hy n bakleier.
Cheers manne, ek gaan Boston legal kyk.
19 Jan 2009, 21:51 pm
It woukld be nice to get the psychological advantage over the kiwis befeore we play the RWC in ther back yard…
However I have no doubt that our internal politics will conspire to shoot us in the foot way before that happens. We probably will win one or two and then SARU will come out with a ruling requiring 95% of rugby players and coaches to be “african black” and go on Xhosa initiation ceremonies. And they will regard PdV as a threat to their pyramids of power and replace him with a black woman in the name of transformation…..
Before I get crapped on by everyone – I am joking. but expect politics to get in the way of success…
19 Jan 2009, 21:51 pm
#289 Puma:
Yes, we are moving there for two years. Im excited! Hope all works out well.
Cheers mate, Im out…
19 Jan 2009, 21:53 pm
#289 superBul: Thanks boeta. I hope so too. Sharks do have a great squad and think Plum is a very good coach. Now we also have another kiwi for the backs too.
Think the Bulls will be there too. I for one never count the Bulls out ever. Look how well they came back last year. Also in the cc that was such a close game.
19 Jan 2009, 21:53 pm
Kuun sal goed werk saam met Stegmann en Spies as n los trio , veral onder die ELV’s waar die breakdown ‘n groter deel van die game is.
19 Jan 2009, 21:55 pm
#292 Supa Die Bloubul: Enjoy it. It will be a wonderful experience to live somewhere else for awhile. Europe right there on your doorstep. Lots of places to see so close by. It will be great.
Cheers Supa.
19 Jan 2009, 21:57 pm
#293 Puma: Eish tell me about the CC, did you get your pants clean? That last scrum must have been the SCRUM Of the decade for you guys. I am sure if we got that ball it would have been our game.
That was one of the best ever finishes of a CC final.
19 Jan 2009, 21:59 pm
#296 superBul: For me it was one of the best cc ever. Sooooooooooooooooo close at the end. That scrum right on our line. I tell you my heart was beating so fast. I just thought here goes 2007 all over again. lol. Then we got it out and Deysel got it out. What a relief. We need more cc finals to be like that. Just like a test it was.
19 Jan 2009, 22:00 pm
The king is in the house….whats the story on Heyneke…Going to the lions???
19 Jan 2009, 22:01 pm
#297 Puma: I am out now , lightning in the air and i want to get my PC off , good night all.
19 Jan 2009, 22:03 pm
#299 superBul: It was only the King arriving….normal for this time of the year…
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