Cooper’s absence gives Sharks a gap
17 Jul 2012
JON CARDINELLI writes the Reds will miss Quade Cooper’s attacking influence as well as his kicking game when they host the Sharks this Saturday.
Cooper has been suspended for one match following a dangerous tackle on Berrick Barnes, and not for the first time this season Ewen McKenzie will ask a utility player to fill the Reds’ flyhalf void.
A serious knee injury sustained at the 2011 World Cup sidelined Cooper for most of this year’s Super Rugby competition. As a result, the Reds haven’t been as much of a threat on attack, and haven’t been as effective at implementing their kicking game via that imposing Wallabies halfback pairing.
The Reds have looked a better side since Cooper’s return, and scored a bonus-point win over the Waratahs last Saturday to claim the Australian conference title. However, it is Cooper’s transgression and subsequent suspension that could prevent the Reds from advancing any further in this tournament, as they don’t have another player in the same class.
Former Wallabies centre Tim Horan said as much following Cooper’s dangerous tackle. Predictably, McKenzie has responded by pointing to the Reds’ earlier performances when Cooper was still on the sideline. McKenzie cited wins that were achieved without Cooper, and believes that the Reds will cope with the most recent setback and progress to the semi-finals.
McKenzie has also said that the Reds ‘owe the Sharks one’, referring to the Sharks’ win against the Reds in the league phase. It was in this match where the Reds’ flyhalf problem quickly became a nightmare, as further injuries to flyhalves resulted in Will Genia finishing the game at pivot.
Genia will miss having Cooper on his inside this Saturday. The Wallabies halfback pair was integral to the Reds’ success in the 2011 Super Rugby competition as well as the Wallabies’ Tri-Nations victory. Both are outstanding individual players, but that halfback combination is more than the sum of its parts.
Every opponent of the Reds has been on a ‘Get Genia’ campaign this season, and attempts to disrupt the Reds at source is no new tactic. The Sharks will surely aim to bully the Reds up front and deny Genia a platform from which to play, but they should also work to further negate his space.
The fact that Cooper is not on Genia’s outside means there should be more pressure on the scrumhalf to play the role of general, as well as provide the attacking impetus. It’s a lot of responsibility, and the Sharks would do well to use this pressure to their advantage.
The Sharks will be without three key players of their own, as Pat Lambie (ankle injury), Pieter-Steph du Toit (ankle injury) and Frans Steyn (ineligible) will not be available.
However, it is more significant that their heavy hitting Springboks should be back in the starting line-up. The inclusion of Willem Alberts and Bismarck du Plessis will aid the Sharks’ quest for gainline supremacy, as well as the aim to stifle Genia’s influence.
Steyn has made a massive impact since joining the Sharks, and the Durban-side will miss his physical influence as well as his prodigious boot. Coach John Plumtree has the option of moving Tim Whitehead to No 12 and bringing Paul Jordaan in at No 13, but a like-for-like replacement would be more prudent. Meyer Bosman is an imposing physical specimen and has the type of kicking game that is so often the difference in tight play-off matches.
It’s a big ask to travel across the world and win a play-off, and I’m not suggesting that the Sharks will have it easy in Brisbane. But there’s little doubt that the absence of Cooper will effect the Reds’ balance and increase the chances of a Sharks upset.
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827 Comments
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17 Jul 2012, 13:40 pm
@Nikita(Nikita)-346: Pleased to meet you
I have 15 names and more personalities than Sybil.
I do take my Lithium – but it doesn’t seem to be helping much.
Please don’t confuse the ferrets anymore.
17 Jul 2012, 13:40 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-347:
Talk is cheap because supply exceeds demand.
17 Jul 2012, 13:41 pm
@willievz(willievz)-332:
Kak.
You keep repeating that like some kind of mantra trying hard not to sound pleased with himself.
17 Jul 2012, 13:41 pm
@Nikita(Nikita)-342:
Are you purging the site of troublemakers and reprobates?
17 Jul 2012, 13:42 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-339:
Hallelujah…At last somebody else is seeing it. I was severely rapped over the nuckles on this site a while ago for saying the same thing…..even by Stormers supporters.
Many of us “Afrikaners” are still carrying the burden of our Calvinistic upbringing and it’s not easy to break free of it.
That’s also why I said the Boks need an overseas coach because we ain’t gonna find someone suitably enlightened easily in SA.
17 Jul 2012, 13:43 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-345:
@Nikita(Nikita)-346:
we have all be ‘accused’ of being the same multinic…
so this should really muddy the waters somewhat…
17 Jul 2012, 13:43 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-339:
Where did he lay down the religious rules?
You remind me of Just Buggery and his Broederbond thesis.
The De Villiers code.
17 Jul 2012, 13:44 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-351:
Tell me something I didn’t know. I know more about THEM than they know about themselves.
17 Jul 2012, 13:46 pm
@cane(cane)-354:
Hey Dude.
Just watching the best of Benji Marshall on you tube.
This guy really is amazing player. Just imagine if he played rugby instead of league.
We have so many good player in rugby league its not funny, mind you so has Ozzie.
17 Jul 2012, 13:47 pm
@cane(cane)-354:
No I’m looking for a date.
17 Jul 2012, 13:47 pm
@TooMuchRugby(TooMuchRugby)-355:
You’ve been rapped over the knuckles because you are a soppy tosspot who admits he doesn’t like boneheads from Pretoria as being a Bonehead from Kraaifontein makes you somehow culturally superior.
Therefore all your other comments are seen in this context.
Wake up.
17 Jul 2012, 13:50 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-339:
Heyneke Meyer can only motivate the “dom donkies” (read Blue Bulls players). Everyone with half a mind sees right through him.
17 Jul 2012, 13:52 pm
@Nikita(Nikita)-360:
Oh……how you doing?
17 Jul 2012, 13:54 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-361: I see even the souties in Pretoria has the contracted the Laager mentality
17 Jul 2012, 13:54 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-357: Just saying it the way I see it. I have heard him speak, watched his teams and read enough print interviews to form my opinion.
You don’t agree, that’s fine. But I won’t be changing my mind.
PS: The religious rules are unwritten, but both you and I know they are there. Tell me just how welcome a Muslim player will feel in the Bok setup…….In fact, rather don’t tell me – let’s wait until a Muslim player is selected and see. No wait – that won’t happen either…..
17 Jul 2012, 13:55 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-350:
What is nasty about what I said.
Your comments were hideous. Tampons, douche, whatever.
Fact
17 Jul 2012, 13:56 pm
@TooMuchRugby(TooMuchRugby)-364:
I live in cape town.
And it’s have not has.
Bonehead.
17 Jul 2012, 13:56 pm
@Nikita(Nikita)-358:
Could you please inform them that I have truly only have ONE nic on this site. No wait, cancel that. (Far more entertaining watching them play Cluedo….Mrs White in the lounge, Prof Plum in the dining room…)
17 Jul 2012, 13:57 pm
And since when ………….. EVER ……… have I had to “scream innocence” here.
17 Jul 2012, 13:58 pm
@TooMuchRugby(TooMuchRugby)-362: I am keen to see if Meyer manages to lift players who are NOT motivated by religion and culture to dizzying heights.
17 Jul 2012, 13:59 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-365:
Divvie was also a friend of *****.
Did he select any Muslim players?
The religious rules are unwritten but I know they are there.
Ja well no fine.
17 Jul 2012, 13:59 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-367:
And what the hell is up your nose today.
17 Jul 2012, 13:59 pm
@ufo(ufo)-356: Expect HG’s ‘expose’ at about 22:30.
17 Jul 2012, 14:01 pm
@willievz(willievz)-340: That’s my one major critisism of PDV and now Heyneke (although I do beleive Heyneke is the man for the job) Steyn is only relevant if our forwards have a blinder as a pack, anything less than that and he becomes irrelevant to our chances. As you says it’s an indication as to where our psyche lies.
17 Jul 2012, 14:01 pm
All, watch this guy Benji Marshall, if you dont know of him.
He a Kiwi that plays Rugby League.
He can drop kick 50 meters under pressure,has a good punt on him,he is fast, has one of the best steps and does back flick passes, he has it all. Watch all of it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kboCHWOdfHw
Really you all are lucky this guy is not playing rugby, seriously
17 Jul 2012, 14:01 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-353: And a very good afternoon to you too, sir.
17 Jul 2012, 14:02 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-373:
He doesnt have one.
There are no multinics
Figment of his over-addled imagination
17 Jul 2012, 14:02 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-361:
Not from Kraaifontein, but definitely culturally and mentally superior.
Soppy tosspot? Maybe a little, but thats only because of breaking free of my Calvinistic upbringing….something you obviously haven’t mastered yet.
Psst….Hint….chics dig guys who are in touch with their emotions
17 Jul 2012, 14:04 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-368:
You know the pot and kettle thingie? Read between the lines.
They who protest the most!
17 Jul 2012, 14:05 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-310:
nope you are convinced you are sublimely and articulacy sane and I am surreptitiously fck’d in the head…you are so convinced you are genuine and I’m fake if I might hint at an experience relevant to somebody else’s whereby I relate an experience of my own.. whether this includes personal encounters or whatever you will.. that these are phony in your highfalutin fck’d in the head synopsis of my levels of sanity
Who the fck you think you are to determine whether anyone’s experiences in life are real or phony.. ? Who do you little pipsqueak prick think you are to cast your outright judgmental attitude about who is insane and who is sane in your fck’d up idea of what comprises sanity..??
You alluded to be a realfck and I’m a fake, so I called you up on it and questioned your ability to be the realfck you profess to be.. and my conclusion is that YOU are the fake here.. pipsqueak.. who you THINK you are in terms of your sound judgmental reasoning is FAKE.. and I will call you little fake pipsqueak up for the outright little fake you are…
It so happens I have 3 more kids than you have sired into this world…. so in spite of any other failures you want to lavish at my deranged mental capacity take your little fakefck highfalutin idea of your own extravagant pisswilly arrogance and shove it where it fits you little snotty nosed doolittle fake fck dandy.
17 Jul 2012, 14:05 pm
@TooMuchRugby(TooMuchRugby)-362: I agree that as saffa’s our psyche can do with an overhaul but I must be honest I think Heyneke is better than just a motivator of doff players. My experience of him was very positive, I think he has a very genuine way about him that adds to the way he motivates
17 Jul 2012, 14:06 pm
@TooMuchRugby(TooMuchRugby)-343: Yes, kind of.
17 Jul 2012, 14:06 pm
@TooMuchRugby(TooMuchRugby)-378:
If you are so culturally and mentally superior why do you speak like a jean pant?
17 Jul 2012, 14:07 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-371: I didn’t want to bring this up……
Anyone that delighted in and actually praised Jaco vd W’s pole dance in 2007, has a dash of zealot in them.
Much like Ludeke who asked God where he should coach when he was offered the Bulls job – and God told him to go to the Bulls. True story.
Tell me that the Bulls, Meyer, Ludeke and others are NOT living the Calvinistic dream?
Enough on religion, and no need to take offence, as this is honestly just my opinion.
17 Jul 2012, 14:07 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-373:
we wait with baited breath…
…not
17 Jul 2012, 14:08 pm
@willievz(willievz)-376:
Bon après midi.
17 Jul 2012, 14:09 pm
The only multinic is poor Skop!
Not to his own doing of course! You have to raise a glass to his perserverance though.
17 Jul 2012, 14:09 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-375: I have seen this freak of sporting nature in action in various Youtube vids. A Kiwi mate of mine has been sending me links for a few years.
One season in union would be a treat for us followers and fans of the game
17 Jul 2012, 14:10 pm
When gunths start correcting grammar mistakes then you know you got him by the balls.On second thought, let us rather not go there.
17 Jul 2012, 14:10 pm
@fitz1ella(fitz1ella)-380: You’re not fake. You REALLY are fcuked in the head.
One can only blame mother nature for allowing you to procreate.
17 Jul 2012, 14:11 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-384:
I’m not religious at all. And nothing offends me at all except some Bonehead Piggies who think they are more equal than others.
I’m just curious why you would beat Meyer with the religion stick but not a God given talent like Divvie?
Unless….
17 Jul 2012, 14:12 pm
@Skeppie(Skeppie)-381:
yip… agree again…
think good things are in store for bok rugby from here on out… heyneke does know how to motivate the guys…
not fussed how where or why…
just as long as he does…
and we win…!!
17 Jul 2012, 14:12 pm
@Nikita(Nikita)-387: thank you my dear.. you are an angel amongst utter reprobates
17 Jul 2012, 14:15 pm
@Nikita(Nikita)-387:
Poor Skop?
Don’t say that.
The weather has changed.
His next job is imminent.
@stormerforlife1(stormerforlife1)-389:
Actually Poodlefucker this toomuchofrugby could give you a run for your money in the plank stakes.
I predict a riot.
17 Jul 2012, 14:15 pm
The State presents exhibit A: @fitz1ella(fitz1ella)-380:
The State rests its case.
17 Jul 2012, 14:16 pm
SKOP
U R Welcome
17 Jul 2012, 14:16 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-375: we’ve seen him, 2 years ago alreafdy he made a splash on keo…old news.
17 Jul 2012, 14:17 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-388:
It would be great to see him play rugby.
Be interesting to see.
About 5:20 into that link is one of the best showing of skill i have seen, in both sports.
Even the camera in front of him fell for the dummy, then the behind the back pass just puts the icing on the cake. Amazing player.
17 Jul 2012, 14:18 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-383:
Thanks for the grammar lesson. Unfortunately my Calvinistic upbringing has (or is it have?) excluded me from from properly mastering the rooitaal yet.
Therefore I was also excluded from learning many soutpiel idiosyncrasies. So what’s a jean pant?
17 Jul 2012, 14:19 pm
@trupisero(trupisero)-390: another highfalutin self assumed ignorance induced judgmental proponent of sanity… how many sane kids you sired sir f’ng Galahad ?
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