Sharks’ pack lacking punch

Sharks’ pack lacking punch

20 Feb 2012

The Sharks will be without three first-choice forwards for the opening Super Rugby match against the Bulls.

The Bulls have suffered significant forward losses over the past season. Victor Matfield has retired, while other Springboks such as Gürthro Steenkamp, Gary Botha and Bakkies Botha are playing overseas.

Add Dewald Potgieter to that list after the flanker was forced to undergo surgery this past weekend, and it’s safe to say the Bulls will be short on experience and class when they tackle one of the traditionally harder South African sides this Friday.

What will help the Bulls’ cause is the Sharks’ own injury concerns. Beast Mtawarira has already been ruled out for half the season with a broken leg, and young prop Julian Redelinghuys injured an ankle in last Friday’s match against the Kings.

Flanker Willem Alberts will be sidelined for at least three more weeks while another big ball-carrier in Jean Deysel will only be back for the Sharks’ overseas tour at the end of March. John Plumtree is fortunate to have other established back-row options available, as well as the impressive young Marcell Coetzee, but would have preferred to have his heavy hitters back for the typically physical Loftus Versfeld clash.


27 Comments

  • 1.ufo: Reply to this comment
    20 Feb 2012, 10:15 am

    Sharks lack packing lunch dragons…!!

  • 2.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    20 Feb 2012, 10:20 am

    Deysel and Alberts injured AGAIN?

    These guys are Discovery Health’s worst nighmare.

    Deysel apparently has his ow n monogrammed pillow at the Umhlanga Medi Clinic.

  • 3.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    20 Feb 2012, 10:21 am

    At this stage some of those rejects now starring for the Lions, such as Rhodes and Cilliers, would have been useful to the Sharks’ cause. If they could turn back the hands of time…

  • 4.ashampoopaloo: Reply to this comment
    20 Feb 2012, 10:21 am

    first game up and Sardientjies already gasping for air like a fish out of water… too bad..

    Bulletjies gonna gore them into the turf..

  • 5.ashampoopaloo: Reply to this comment
    20 Feb 2012, 10:25 am

    and these okies reckon karma don’t have a way of working in roundabout diminishing returns

    you steal Deysel, and Alberts and that twinkle toed fairy full back (whatsisname)

    and next thing you know they’re injured and all your reject cast offs like Whitely, Rhodes, Cilliers and co. are sticking it to you right back where it hurts mostly.

  • 6.Mr Black: Reply to this comment
    20 Feb 2012, 10:27 am

    @ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-4:

    Agree, Bulls at home should be to strong. Sharks must try and get some bonus points though.

  • 7.chucky: Reply to this comment
    20 Feb 2012, 11:07 am

    @>^..^< katman(katman)-3: Very glad sharks cant turn back the hands of time. Would still rather use Chadwick/Herbst ahead of Cilliers and any one of Coetzee, Mthembu, Daniel and even the young Pieter Steph du Toit ahead of Rhodes.

    Remembering that Cilliers/Rhodes were injury prone when in durban

  • 8.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    20 Feb 2012, 11:14 am

    @the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-2: and the guppy fans cry when we say the guy is a sicknote. and i predict he will be injured again because of the dom way plumtree has them playing – barfing through players instead of running into spaces.

    JustRugby said it in 2010 already: “deysel is a dom one-trick-pony!”

  • 9.patch: Reply to this comment
    20 Feb 2012, 11:20 am

    I dont think any of the SA teams have really powerful packs at the moment. Just about every team is missing players through injury.

  • 10.KingTJ: Reply to this comment
    20 Feb 2012, 11:21 am

    @Transformation(Transformation)-8: He might be a dom one trick pony, but he is a effective at what he does. Also not too bad on getting turnover ball (although he is not a brussow). Only losers rejoice in the injuries of others…..but then again you guys probally rely on our injuries to try and win.

  • 11.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    20 Feb 2012, 11:23 am

    @Transformation(Transformation)-8:

    Ja.

    Just Rugby is a kenner.

    That old ballie knows his tennis.

  • 12.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    20 Feb 2012, 11:26 am

    @the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-11: :lol:

    the broeders must have a plan for deysel.

  • 13.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    20 Feb 2012, 11:33 am

    @rangerman(rangerman)-12:

    :lol:

    indeed.

    he is afrikaans and must be looked after.

  • 14.President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts: Reply to this comment
    20 Feb 2012, 11:49 am

    @the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-2:

    Hey now atleast the Sharks okes have Discovery, the bulls okes get treated at ga rankuwa hospital :lol:

  • 15.John Galt: Reply to this comment
    20 Feb 2012, 11:50 am

    @Transformation(Transformation)-8:
    Sheez, resorting to quoting JR.
    New depths have been breached in Transies quote/cut and paste world.

    Both Deysel and Alberts are in rehab from the same surgery they had last year.(Alberts shoulder and Deysel knee)
    And besides, Im sure Mark Steele knows what he’s doing with getting them back to their best.

    Not too worried about the open side position anyway. We have that covered with Coetzee, Mtembu, Du Toit etc. The bulls, after the injury to Potgieter, arent too hot in that position either so it should be even stevens.

    Nope, a quality loosehead to back up a relatively young and inexperienced Chadwick is sorely needed.
    And you can keep Cilliers for now. He was even a bigger sicknote than Deysel when still at the Sharks.

    It’ll be interesting to see who the Sharks open thier cheque book to.

  • 16.John Galt: Reply to this comment
    20 Feb 2012, 11:52 am

    @John Galt(John Galt)-15:
    Sorry meant blind side position.

  • 17.President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts: Reply to this comment
    20 Feb 2012, 11:53 am

    @John Galt(John Galt)-15: Exactly, but we will miss the bulk and agression of Alberts and Deysel

  • 18.Tacitus: Reply to this comment
    20 Feb 2012, 12:18 pm

    Interesting.

  • 19.welcome to my life, hugh...: Reply to this comment
    20 Feb 2012, 12:36 pm

    advantage bulls…

  • 20.Shark: Reply to this comment
    20 Feb 2012, 17:14 pm

    If ever there was a good time to rush in a few youngsters, the time is now. Make those senior players get fitter and give them incentive to fight for their place in the team.

  • 21.Pot Blou Gevaar: Reply to this comment
    20 Feb 2012, 19:57 pm

    Chilli vs. Bismark will be a nice tussle, with Bissie edging it probably due to his work on the ground.
    Bulls more then likely edging the loosies battle, and looks to have a more rounded, balanced outfit.
    All this, I’d call a Bulls victory by 7pts.

  • 22.Kleuter: Reply to this comment
    20 Feb 2012, 20:23 pm

    Chili seems to be in good condition. Watch out Bismark!

  • 23.Treehugger: Reply to this comment
    20 Feb 2012, 20:47 pm

    How and when did Beast break his leg :shock:

  • 24.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    20 Feb 2012, 20:49 pm

    @Treehugger(Treehugger)-23: He owed me some money. But he’s settled his debt now.

  • 25.bullman: Reply to this comment
    20 Feb 2012, 20:53 pm

    Ja i think bulls take front row
    Bulls take second row……Juandre kruger
    Loosies …..depends if bulls capt. P spies shows up this season with the form of 2007 and 2009 and then some more…otherwise …..its tomclose to call
    Half backs……..bulls
    Wings……sharks
    Centres…..bulss…..sadie u champion
    Fullback….sharks….whatch out for viljoens big boot in the highveld
    Breakdowns……bulls…..stegman gave cheetahs a lesson last week
    Kicking……bulls….morne steyn….come on
    Scrums……bulls ……sharks in trouble without beast
    Lineouts…..bulls……steenkamp…..kruger ….coached by big vic
    Tactical kiking……bulls
    Defence…..50/50
    X factor……bulls…..houghaard……sadie……basson…..spies…..kruger
    X factor ….. Sharks…….lambi….viljoen …..jpp in centre…..

    All said and done with loftus and a rugby hungry crowd…..bulls by 15.

  • 26.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    20 Feb 2012, 22:26 pm

    @John Galt(John Galt)-15: clearly, you’re not aware of the running joke re deysel & jr :-)

  • 27.Pot Blou Gevaar: Reply to this comment
    21 Feb 2012, 07:15 am

    @Transformation(Transformation)-26:
    Please share Trans…

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