Alberts at lock for Sharks

Alberts at lock for Sharks

18 Jul 2012

Willem Alberts has been included in the Sharks’ starting line-up at No 4 instead of in the back row.

Sharks coach John Plumtree has decided that there is no room in the back row for the Springbok blindside. The combination of Keegan Daniel, Marcell Coetzee and Ryan Kankowski is retained, and Alberts is selected at lock.

Bismarck du Plessis makes his return to the starting team after playing from the bench in the Sharks’ final league game. Other changes see Louis Ludik starting at fullback in place of the injured Pat Lambie, and Paul Jordaan partnering Tim Whitehead in midfield.

Sharks – 15 Louis Ludik, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Tim Whitehead, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Frederic Michalak, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Keegan Daniel (c), 5 Anton Bresler, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Wiehahn Herbst, 18 Steven Sykes, 19 Jacques Botes, 20 Cobus Reinhach, 21 Meyer Bosman, 22 Odwa Ndungane


45 Comments

  • 1.THE MAULER: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 12:35 pm

    Alberts at lock could be the difference… Stronger scrum maybe?

  • 2.Puma: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 12:43 pm

    @THE MAULER(THE MAULER)-1: Our scrum was very good against the Bulls, there we had PSDT starting with J. Marais coming on later. Both were superb. However, I would not leave out Alberts, so if he has to start at lock so be it. He must start. Just a pity that J. Marais is not on the bench. Not even sure if Sykes is over his injury 100%.

  • 3.Puma: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 12:44 pm

    GO SHARKS. Go boys just do it. :)

    Should be a cracking game if the weather allows for it.

  • 4.FFF: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 12:49 pm

    By Far the best attacking unit in SA on their day……

  • 5.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 12:57 pm

    big pick but it had to be done. that loose trio is awesome and are starting to gel. alberts also doesnt give away anything at lock. Reds to have a tough time at the tackle point and breakdown

  • 6.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 13:00 pm

    @Puma(Puma)-3: Yes Sharks will just scrape it i think by 3.

  • 7.THE MAULER: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 13:05 pm

    Puma yeah the scrum was very good against the Bulls… But Bulls scrum seems to be struggling at the moment… Think Alberts will increase the power at scrums that much more… And PSDT is going to go places…

  • 8.patch: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 13:16 pm

    I think the sharks will take this one!! They seem to be peaking at the right time. Alberts is getting back to his best.

  • 9.confuzzed: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 13:19 pm

    It’s been raining here non stop. 70% chance of rain on Sat. I think we are going to be wet.

  • 10.SKW: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 13:22 pm

    even as a stormers fan, i have to admit that if the sharks are on their game they play some of the most sublime you will ever see. hope they do well saturday.
    go sharks!

  • 11.THE MAULER: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 13:24 pm

    Confuzzed if its going to be wet it might suit the Sharks more… Well i hope so…

  • 12.Palooka: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 13:31 pm

    HM should take note of the fact that Alberts can/should play lock. The same applies for Potgieter of the Bulls.

  • 13.willievz: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 13:48 pm

    Good call this.

    Quick flankers will do well on the fast Brisbane surface.

  • 14.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 13:52 pm

    @SKW(SKW)-10: Thanks SKW,

  • 15.NicG: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 14:03 pm

    @SKW(SKW)-10: Let’s hope they’re on heir game! Go Sharks and in the spirit of bigging up the other Saffa teams, go Stormers – would like to meet you guys in the semis. I’ll say go Bulls, but that is going to be a very tough trip to Christchurch…

  • 16.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 14:03 pm

    The Sharks locks have not been outstanding this year, whilst their loose forwards have for the most part been good.

    So maybe Botes at 2nd lock then??

    Seriously though it’s a good move.

    Good luck to them

  • 17.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 14:10 pm

    @stormersboy(stormersboy)-16: Botes??

    eish

  • 18.kingcorn: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 14:16 pm

    WTF is plummers smoking, could be an old shark ploy where they name a team only to change the players on the day.

    Not sure if Alberts will add anything in the tight five but lets hope Jannie can get that extra push from behind when it comes to scrum time.

  • 19.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 14:16 pm

    @sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-17: Too much?

    :)

  • 20.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 14:32 pm

    @stormersboy(stormersboy)-19: lol toooo short,

  • 21.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 14:32 pm

    Gonna be a tough match come saturday

  • 22.confuzzed: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 14:50 pm

    Got prime seats. I really cannot wait. Never get to see the boys play here on good form.

  • 23.confuzzed: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 14:51 pm

    @THE MAULER(THE MAULER)-11: I prefer to watch in the dry ;)

  • 24.Hondo: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 15:41 pm

    The loose forwards combo is on the lighter side, no grinder, no recognised ball carriers, where is Deysel?
    Albert is wasted at lock, Sykes a better option
    Absence of Lambie and Styen will hurt and badly so

    @THE MAULER(THE MAULER)-7:
    Sharks scrum always looks better without the Beast ;)

  • 25.THE MAULER: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 15:48 pm

    Sorry Hondo but Sharks scrum is even more powerfull with Beast… As seen when he didnt play against the cheetahs… But Im sure you saw nothing… ;)

  • 26.THE MAULER: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 15:49 pm

    Confuzzed I prefer it too…

  • 27.semperfimamba: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 16:01 pm

    Whats popping good peeps? I been following the Sharks from the first time a SA friend of mine introduced rugby into my NFL world and i love this game!!! Anyway to my question ….why wouldn’t plum keep Deysel on the bench if Alberts is headed to lock?

  • 28.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 16:45 pm

    @semperfimamba(semperfimamba)-27: Alberts will move to the flank during the game thats why he doesnt need a deysel type flank on the bench. I would also like to see Deysel involved, i rate him.

  • 29.SHARKattack: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 16:57 pm

    oh yeah!

  • 30.Johannes Expatinus: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 17:21 pm

    If I was a betting man I would pick Crusaders to win the title. [the safe bet]

    However, have a suspicion this is the year of the Sharks…

    And I’m a Stormers fan….

  • 31.NicG: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 17:27 pm

    @Johannes Expatinus(hanneslom)-30: Suspicious minds… I’m digging the Storers fans today. Let’s hope you’re right!

  • 32.NicG: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 17:28 pm

    @NicG(NicG)-31: *Stormers

  • 33.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 17:55 pm

    @semperfimamba(semperfimamba)-27: trust me mate, as a Sharks supporter i seriously ask the same question

    But i guess Plum knows what he is doing, so well have to wait and see

  • 34.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    18 Jul 2012, 17:57 pm

    @semperfimamba(semperfimamba)-27: Welcome to our world mate to, good to see you have chosen the right team :wink:

  • 35.Jinx2: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 05:44 am

    He is the perfect 4. Play him there for the Boks, and move Etsebeth to 8. Go do it for SA, Willem!

  • 36.Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 07:58 am

    Go the Sharks!
    Farkin black and white dynamite.
    BOOM!

  • 37.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 08:21 am

    @Jinx2(Jinx2)-35: Bit short for lock but has all the other attributes. Wouldn’t mind seeing him at 4 for the Boks with Etsebeth at 5.

    Have Elstadt on the bench to cover lock/blindside.

    Think Plum is right with not putting Deysel on. Depending on how tight the game is he can either opt for WA to shift to 7 with Marcel at 6 and Sykes in at lock, or bring Botes on in a more expansive game.

  • 38.BreakdownBoy: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 08:38 am

    Plumtree again with his foolish position switching nonsence. This seems to be a desease that coaches catch at Kings Park. Soon JP Peterson will be playing hooker!

    Why waste one of rugby’s most devestating ball carriers on lock, where his job should be to clear rucks and enforce at the breakdown. Bloody stupid!!!!

  • 39.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 08:45 am

    @BreakdownBoy(goodstuff)-38:

    Playing out of position indeed. I think he doesn’t want to drop any of his loosies so creates a position for him. This is done often by the Sharks. I think it could work though.

  • 40.RainbowBanana: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 08:45 am

    @BreakdownBoy(goodstuff)-38: I agree, it could also weaken their lineout.But who does Plum leave out then? Kanko or Coetzee? They been playing really well lately.

  • 41.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 08:50 am

    @RainbowBanana(RainbowBanana)-40: The loose trio is performing well, so don’t screw around with it, but find space for Willem.

  • 42.stormer in a teacup: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 08:54 am

    A good side this. I hope the midfield defence holds up but Whitehead and Jordaan are both good attacking centres. I think a lot rides on which Michalak turns up on the day. Go the Sharks.

  • 43.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 08:57 am

    The Sharks will win will win will win…

    together we’ll sing we’ll sing…

  • 44.semperfimamba: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 14:53 pm

    Man i wife the US would take rugby seriously we have so many good athletes that dont make the nfl. These guys are monsters they would do well ….thats my opinion anyway lol.

  • 45.semperfimamba: Reply to this comment
    19 Jul 2012, 14:54 pm

    *wish not wife ….damn auto correct!

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