SA latest – Smit shifts to loosehead
15 Mar 2011
Keo.co.za brings you news from South Africa’s Super Rugby franchises.
Smit shifts to loosehead – John Smit will start at No 1 against the Chiefs on Friday, with Jannie du Plessis coming in at No 3.
Sharks coach John Plumtree has made just one change to the side that beat the Rebels, with Beast Mtawarira dropping to the bench. Louis Ludik has passed a fitness test and will start at No 15.
Sharks – 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Stefan Terblanche, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Patrick Lambie, 9. Charl McLeod, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Keegan Daniel, 5 Alistair Hargreaves, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 John Smit (c).
Subs: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Anton Bresler, 19 Jacques Botes, 20 Conrad Hoffmann, 21 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 22 Adrian Jacobs.
Kamana banned for 3 weeks – Lions fullback James Kamana has been suspended after a Sanzar judicial hearing found him guilty of dangerous play.
Kamana was cited for a dangerous tackle on Cheetahs centre Robert Ebersohn during a Super Rugby clash in Bloemfontein last weekend. Kamana received a yellow card for the incident, which occurred during the 60th minute of the match.
The hearing found Kamana guilty on the charge of a dangerous tackle under Law 10.4 {j} that relates to lifting an opponent into the air and dropping him into the ground, commonly referred to as a “tip” tackle. Kamana pleaded guilty to the charge.
Schalk set for bench role – Schalk Burger and Jaque Fourie will be selected on the bench for the Stormers’ grudge match against the Bulls.
Coach Allister Coetzee said he doesn’t want to risk Burger in a starting capacity, as the Stormers skipper is still not 100% recovered from a knee injury. Coetzee added that selecting Burger and Fourie on the bench would help the Cape side to counter the powerful Bulls reserves in the second half.
Johnson back for Cheetahs – No 8 Ashley Johnson has recovered from a hamstring injury and will play the Waratahs this Saturday. Johnson incurred the injury in the match against the Lions, but the Cheetahs camp has confirmed he will be ready for their first tour game.
58 Comments
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15 Mar 2011, 10:06 am
skop will love this….dragons
15 Mar 2011, 10:06 am
If Schalk isn’t 100% recovered, he shouldn’t be in the match 22. What happens if an injury occurs in the 2nd minute?
15 Mar 2011, 10:08 am
oh hell
Schalk on bench is fine
but J Fourie?
No man….play JDV at 14….
Reunite JDJ and JF at 12 and 13…
bobs your aunt
15 Mar 2011, 10:09 am
@ali(ali)-2: then we will have the afkop hoender causing mayhem
15 Mar 2011, 10:15 am
@grant10(grant10)-4: In any case, the selection of schalk still shows WP’s lack of confidence when playing the bulls at Loftus.
Playing any other team, at any other stadium, and i rate Schalk wouldn’t have been risked.
15 Mar 2011, 10:18 am
you are either fit or unfit
there can be no half measures
i am not a fan of allister coetzee
15 Mar 2011, 10:23 am
that’s good keep him there whole season long and don’t let him near that captains armband. Perhaps AC is finally learning what his strengths and weaknesses are and utilizing them accordingly, I also agree with Jaque Fourie off bench, it gives us strike force into second half when either JdV or Juan de Jongh might be waning in energy output.
What this does signify though unfortunately is that probably Koster gets swapped out totally which is a damn shame, we going to need speed and precision in the loose to counter Bulls lightweight speedy Loosie merchants. Hopefully we don’t rely solely on our plodders Flouw and Duanne who are both more suited to heavy slower fields and in your face trench warfare.
15 Mar 2011, 10:25 am
I disagree guys… Depending on the nature of the injury a player can be absolutely fine to play 15-20 minutes but not a full 80… I don’t think it’s an unreasonable risk, AC wouldn’t do something like that… His injury management has been quite good I think, no big recurring problems in that department…
15 Mar 2011, 10:27 am
Also in regards to leadership, Bekker, de Villiers and duvenhage all having captained WP/Stormers in the past, there really isn’t reason to include Schalk from a leadership perspective.
Bottom line is that last year’s s14 final is still giving the coaching crew nightmares – and they’re making unnecessary risks for fear of being bullied off the park again
15 Mar 2011, 10:30 am
@Tarlo(Tarlo)-8: the point is that if he is not recovered enough to start, then he shouldn’t be in the match 22: There is no guarantee that a loose forward won’t be injured in the first couple minutes, forcing schalk to play, and aggravating his injury unnecessarily.
15 Mar 2011, 11:29 am
grant10 – That is Bobs your uncle and fanny’s your aunt
15 Mar 2011, 11:45 am
This is good. We will need Schalk and Jaque when altitude kicks in 2nd half.
15 Mar 2011, 11:46 am
Yoh Morne van Wyk is in a hurry while Smith just hangs back and enjoys the moment.
15 Mar 2011, 12:37 pm
15 Conrad Jantjes
14 Gio Aplon
13 Jean De Villiers
12 Juan De Jongh
11 Bryan Habana
10 Peter Grant
9 Ricky Januarie
8 Nick Koster
7 Duane Vermeulen
6 Francois Louw
5 Andries Bekker
4 Anton Van Zyl
3 CJ Van Der Linde
2 Deon Fourie
1 Wickus Blaauw
16 Ethienne Reynecke
17 Brok Harris
18 De Kock Steenkamp
19 Schalk Burger
20 Dewaldt Duvenhage
21 Lionel Cronje
22 Jaque Fourie
Now thats a strong bench and better staring XV
15 Mar 2011, 12:55 pm
Anyone have any ideas who the Sharks have to replce Louis Ludik? Is it a case where Terblanche moves into Fullback position with Adi Jacobs coming in as centre?
15 Mar 2011, 16:44 pm
@RoBot(RoBot)-15: Mark Richards could play wing with Odwa moving to 15 as well.
15 Mar 2011, 17:15 pm
plod at 1 now…
beast must be thrilled
15 Mar 2011, 19:52 pm
good move by plum , get more game time for smit and it helps beast to get some needed rest , he suffered last weekend ,
@Original-Pierre(Original-Pierre)-16: @RoBot(RoBot)-15: ludick has been passed fit
15 Mar 2011, 19:55 pm
@iori Yagami(iori Yagami)-13: smith should be dropped ,he is putting a lot of pressure on the other batsmen
15 Mar 2011, 20:28 pm
funny how Smith should be dropped because he is out of form FOR PROTEAS.
bUT DROP PLOD AND ITS TREASON….FARKEN HYPOCRITES OF THE HIGHEST ORDER.
15 Mar 2011, 20:29 pm
sMITH THE CRICKETER CAN BE BANISHED ….BUT FARK ME PLOD SCREWS UP THE ENTIRE TEAM DYNAMICS AND ITS ALL FINE….NEED THE AURA.
BUNCH OF WALLYS I TELLYOU…SUPREME HYPOCRITES….
15 Mar 2011, 20:42 pm
it was so so easy to get that response out of you , so predictable
15 Mar 2011, 21:20 pm
only hypocrite here is you cumbubble , and loosen ur thong so yo can stop screaming like a girl
15 Mar 2011, 21:27 pm
HAHA GRANT IS A LITTLE BEYATCH BOY WHO CAN BLAME HIM BECAUSE BOB IS HIS UNCLE WHO WAS ACTUALLY AN AUNTY HO HO HO……FARK cAPS!
15 Mar 2011, 21:32 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-24: lol hiyas ranger mate
15 Mar 2011, 21:32 pm
Grant 10 is 100% correct.
Graeme Smith’s captaincy has been outstanding during the world cup so far- remember when he OPENED the bowling against the West Indians with SPINNER Johan Botha who then removed the potential devestating Chris Gayle in the first over- and when the SPIN of Robin Peterson got rid of K P and Andrew Strauss in the first over in the match against England.
Opening with spinners is innovative captaincy -, so if he is having a lean spell with the bat his captaincy is making more than up for it.
I cannot remember the last time the hooker Smit had a major influence on the outcome of any rugby match.
15 Mar 2011, 21:35 pm
It will be the first ever Super Rugby match played outside the SANZAR countries of New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, and it has been organised following Christchurch’s devastating earthquake of February 22.
The damage to the Crusaders home ground of AMI Stadium has prevented the team from playing there for the foreseeable future, with two of the Crusaders’ recent home games being played at Nelson’s Trafalgar Park.
Crusaders chief executive Hamish Riach said many things had come together to allow the match to proceed, including goodwill and work from the Sharks, the NZRU, SANZAR and the RFU.
“We’re extremely grateful to everyone who has played a part in making this match happen,” he said.
“This historic match at Twickenham will hopefully allow us to consolidate our financial situation for this year.
“Having said that, we are extremely grateful to Nelson and the Tasman Rugby Union for hosting our last two matches which have been huge successes and very memorable occasions.
“We look forward to more games in the local region after the Sharks game – this is part of the balance we are seeking between playing in front of our wonderful support from the wider Crusaders’ region and attempting to find financial security.”
Both matches in Nelson on March 4 and 11 attracted sellout crowds of 10,500.
The Crusaders can also confirm tonight that following their bye in round seven a week after the Sharks match, their round eight match on Saturday, April 9 will be held at Alpine Energy Stadium in Timaru.
Riach added: “We’re also looking forward to playing the Bulls in Timaru, which is in our franchise area. We’re sure the people of South Canterbury and further afield will support us in this match against the champions of the past two years.”
SANZAR CEO, Greg Peters, said his organisation fully supported moving the fixture to London in support of the Christchurch earthquake relief effort.
“The SANZAR Executive Committee recognised that the tragic and unforeseen events in Christchurch recently required an agile and responsive approach, considering the fact that the Crusaders have been left without a home venue,” Peters said.
“Therefore it has agreed with, and is fully supportive of, the Crusaders’ decision to play the match at Twickenham. The SANZAR Executive has acknowledged the Sharks’ willingness and is thankful to them for supporting the move.
“The match is being played in London due to a unique set of circumstances and should be viewed as a “one-off” rather than a new trend of moving Super Rugby matches outside of their usual territories,” Peters added.
“SANZAR fully supports the reasons for moving the game and is hopeful that it will be a success, both for the benefit of the citizens of Christchurch as well as for the Super Rugby tournament in general.
“Moving the match has taken a monumental effort from many people across the three SANZAR territories as well as in the United Kingdom. SANZAR appreciates the role each person has played in this process and is confident of maintaining the high standards that have become a hallmark of the Super Rugby tournament,” Peters said.
The Crusaders are hopeful that the big expat New Zealand, Australian and South African communities in London will support the match. A percentage of every ticket sold will go to the victims of the Christchurch earthquake.
15 Mar 2011, 21:42 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-26: come now rob ur smarter then that mate
grants outcry about smit has nothing to do with rugby in the least,
i was making a point, and like a girl he screamed his stupidity
of course you cant drop ur capt now , its in the middle of the world cup ffs, although today he did course some pressure with his own bad form
but still i would not drop him
it matters not how well smit plays , same people will shout the same ****
15 Mar 2011, 21:43 pm
Poor Beast. People should shout “RETIRE!” wherever John Smit gets the ball, in place of shouting “BEAST!” when he Beast Mtawariwa gets the ball.
@ Robzim I can remember Smit having some major influence in a negative way, like gifting a team an intercept try and also making some missed tackles that cost the match.
15 Mar 2011, 21:45 pm
Can’t we shift Smit to Antarctica?
15 Mar 2011, 21:56 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-28:
In your post no 19 you said GS must be dropped – i had no reason to believe you were not serious?
15 Mar 2011, 22:10 pm
nope you just can’t win in SA rugby damned if you do and damned if you don’t, perhaps this the one time John shoulda listened to Jake and jumped, together, like good old soul mates that are joined at the hip should. Instead Jake said Jump, John said not on your nelly chump, I got a whole lotta promises to fulfil yet, unlike you old hasbeen.
And so it came to pass that promises were made and destinies are still being projected, carved out in the annals of enigmatic time where man’s craving for ambition gets handed down and passed on to the next generation of the Glory Hallelujah choirs.
Always is a bit of a pity where personal ambition overrides common sense, had John rather listened to Jake, they could have made a perfect pair saddling up and heading toward their respective, or even perhaps their enjoined sunsets.
15 Mar 2011, 22:39 pm
@G10 re post 21
Smit delivered RWC, Tri Nations and Lions series
Smith delivered nothing, nothing and nothing.
15 Mar 2011, 22:40 pm
That said, the treatment of the great man is appalling. He should not be asked to move around the front row. He should either be starting at 2, or reserve 2 or not in the squad. This 1, 2, 3 movement is not the way to treat a servant of the game.
15 Mar 2011, 22:47 pm
@daydreamer(daydreamer)-29:
Take a deep breath. Plum’s just rotating the front row to give them a rest, as he’ll do for most of the squad over the campaign. It’s all part of the plan and I’m sure the best front row will play the important games.
Its a long competition this year.
15 Mar 2011, 22:48 pm
haha, imagine if the stormers light five could call upon John to rotate with their bunch?
lets see shall we?
deon fourie? does anyone think this oke will last until tiaan redface gets back?
and if he does will he play the whole season next year?
methinks not, he will be 2 inches shorter in about 4 weeks.
cj? fak me this oke has NEVER been relieable but if thats all you got, play him until he drops.
who is the other oke?oh ja, brok. not a bad player at all, but if he goes down, i would like to see rassie convince everyone that you can START a game with uncontested scrums.
meanwhile, at the sharks, a pro union, jannie had a rest and now beast has a rest and wow, we roll on.
you okes need to pull your grants out of your justrugby’s every now and then girls.
16 Mar 2011, 04:10 am
Now why would Smit retire?
He had the best stats last week of all the RSA props in the process giving away zero penalties/infringements and now Plumtree has the advantage of shifting him to the other side of the scrum to rotate Beast for a bit of a break after Somerville handed him his *** on a platter in the scrums!
What luxury…
16 Mar 2011, 04:12 am
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-37:
JDP last week and now Beast this week must be stoked their captain can cover them on both sides and give them a wee bit of a break whilst there other prop is still injured!
16 Mar 2011, 06:37 am
If JS has to be in the Bok team, rather at loosehead. Hard luck for Beast.
16 Mar 2011, 06:53 am
again, smit was scrumming against nic henderson, NIC HENDERSON!!!! Come on now.
Plum must play him @ 3 against the Crusaders @ Twickenham.
16 Mar 2011, 07:49 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-40:
Trannie, all that confirms is Plums shrewdness at rotating his players.
He realises Smits worst position is probably 3 so he rested Jannie and gave Smit some game time.
Now he’s resting Beast after a huge battle with Somerville, a great scrummager and playing Smit against Nathan White.
Even speedo boy would love to have this luxury.
16 Mar 2011, 07:51 am
@rangerman(rangerman)-36:
After 3 games the okes in the front row need a rest ?????????????, goodness me , Brok played 35 consecutive games !!!
The okes in the front row after 3 games have yet to even find their rhythm, it has everything to do with accommodating JS ,he is skipper after all.
Do not try and cover it up with a rotation policy strategy, it’s just enhances your obvious stupidity !!!
16 Mar 2011, 08:14 am
@justrugby(justrugby)-42:
Brok Harris?
Did you seriously just slide Brok Harris into your argument.
Perhaps if you watch the Stormers front row performances from last year and specifically Brok Harris’ in the CC final, you will realise the need to rotate players when you get the opportunity.
16 Mar 2011, 08:20 am
@John Galt(John Galt)-43:
No problem with rotating players especially in the front row, but after 3 games it is laughable !!!
Again JS playing LH has nothing to do with rotation, but everything to do with JS being capatin and wanting to start, you can disguise it by having a dig at Brock, who played 35 consecutive games and got two 2 major finals all you want but it does not change the facts re JS !!!
16 Mar 2011, 09:51 am
@justrugby(justrugby)-44: are you retarded?
its a long season so why not rotate the guys if you can?
i find your chirp about brok hilarious
16 Mar 2011, 09:59 am
@rangerman(rangerman)-45: I think it is a good thing playing John this week at LH. We give Beast a rest and hoping John can play the full 80min. Then move him over to hooker and give Bissie a rest. We gonna need some rested players for Saders at Twickers.
Not many teams can have one player that can play there and give all the front row a bit of a rest.
16 Mar 2011, 10:00 am
@rangerman(rangerman)-45:
I need to speak to you about goats.
16 Mar 2011, 10:06 am
@justrugby(justrugby)-42: You starting to base your opinions on speculation as well I see. Heaven forbid you may be right but you cannot conceivably couch it as truth when you have an iota of fact.
Now what Transie said about JS propping against Henderson is true, but tell me Transie how did Henderson figure in the other games played by the Reds. As far as I am aware not too shabbily.
Plum’s conundrum is to get JS match fit without compromising results too much and in my HUMBLE opinion he is going about it the right way, by keeping Bissie on the field to cater for JS lack of match fitness and rotating JS with the other 2 front row forwards. That seems to me to be a more logical explanation as opposed to being forced to accomodate JS but then again I have no inside info or facts to support it.
16 Mar 2011, 10:07 am
@bananaboy(bananaboy)-48: i.e. “not one iota of fact”
16 Mar 2011, 10:08 am
@Puma(Puma)-46: we are indeed fortunate.
justrugby is just jealous.
poor bugger.
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-47: about goats?
dont start talking about cliffs and backwards bucking please.
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