Michalak’s mojo key for Sharks
31 Jul 2012
RYAN VREDE writes Frederic Michalak has emerged as a central figure in the Sharks’ drive to the Super Rugby title.
The Sharks are finally starting to see an expected return on their significant investment in the 29-year-old Frenchman, who arrived in 2008 and has had a regular association with the franchise since. Some would question the accuracy of that assertion, arguing that he was instrumental in leading them to the 2008 Currie Cup title and was key in their surge to the final last year.
However, you don’t recruit a player of his calibre and standing to win domestic prizes. It should be a pleasant by-product of having his ilk at your disposal. Fundamentally, Michalak was brought in to help the Sharks end their Super Rugby drought. And now, after a series of inspiring performances since being installed at flyhalf about halfway through their campaign, he is on the cusp of doing just that.
Michalak’s aptitude for Super Rugby was displayed in 2008 before he seriously injured his knee and missed the remainder of the tournament. Certainly he was still adjusting to some of the tournament’s unique demands, particularly against elite opposition, but he always seemed comfortable fit.
Now, after being granted an extended run (somewhat fortuitously in light of an injury to Pat Lambie) Michalak is thriving. His performance against the Stormers on Saturday was composed, intelligent and near faultless in execution. This was in keeping with the expectation of a 56-Test veteran and a player who has won a French Top 14 championship and two European Cups (with Toulouse). The Sharks must hope Michalak displays those qualities in an even higher measure come Saturday.
That said, it would be remiss to ignore the correlation between his impressive form and the upswing in the forwards’ displays. Sterile and impotent for half the tournament, the heavies were then galavanised by the return from injury of Beast Mtawarira, Willem Alberts and to a lesser extent, Ryan Kankowski. Michalak has subsequently had a platform that would be the envy of all 10s.
And he has taken full advantage, orchestrating attacks with consummate skill and sharp decision making, while also giving them an unpredictable dimension with his natural flair. It is incumbent upon his forwards to best the Chiefs’ powerful pack in general and set play in order to give him a reasonable opportunity to engineer the victory they so desperately crave.
With a taxing travel schedule that has seen them clock up nearly 35000 km in the last three weeks, there are legitimate questions about their capacity to achieve this.
Sharks coach John Plumtree has spoken of his players’ deeply rooted self-belief and their refusal to allow fatigue to be used as an excuse for failure to play at their optimum level. Plumtree’s coach-speak is admirable but rests on the hope that the Sharks’ forwards in particular will have something left after their heroic performance at Newlands.
If they do, Michalak, on current form, has the potential to be the fulcrum around which a Sharks victory is built.
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174 Comments
31 Jul 2012, 11:17 am
Been saying it all season, Michalak is seriously underrated. Been the key to the Sharks turnaround, like he was for the Currie Cup victory. Lets hope he does it again and brings another cup to Durbs
31 Jul 2012, 11:18 am
Good luck Freddie and the rest of the players.
Go Sharkies!
31 Jul 2012, 11:21 am
Biggest worry is who to play at inside centre? Bosman, Lambie or even Jordaan can play there.
Daft rule not to allow to call for back up when you have two injured players. If a team has injury they should be allowed to bring in another player. That is already signed to the union and not one from overseas or anything like that. Would love to have had Fransie for this game.
31 Jul 2012, 11:23 am
freddie is a having a purple patch but he is by no means consistent! anyone claiming freddie has been the real deal all season is lying refer to the hurricanes game for eveidence!
when he’s been good, the sharks have benefitted and they’ve equally suffered when he’s been lacklustre.
31 Jul 2012, 11:26 am
francois steyn was signed after april 1st after the french season was finished! all the teams could just as well go to europe and sign players if that is the case.
all this moaning about the rule is tiresome.
31 Jul 2012, 11:28 am
@Transformation-4: You are correct. Though we don’t have to worry much if Fred is off his game. We have Pat that could fill in straight up. However, think Freddie will have a blinder. This is his last game for Sharks and think he wants to leave on a high.
31 Jul 2012, 11:28 am
DRAGONS travel 35000km in three weeks. Tired guppies with major voyager miles.
Guppies had their final last week and will be nice cannon fodder for SBW.
31 Jul 2012, 11:30 am
@Transformation-5: No it is not tiresome. When a team gets injury in such a long tourney they should be allowed to bring in players. THAT are signed with the union. Not just bring in any player from overseas.
If Boks pick up a injury they are allowed to bring in a player for that injured player. Fair play should be allowed. Anyhow it will not happen. Daft rule still the same.
31 Jul 2012, 11:32 am
Bosman played at inside centre when Sharks played Chiefs at the Tank. We had SBW sorted in that game. We will do it again with Bosman. His defence was excellent against the Reds and he played really well on Saturday against the Stormers. Though Fransie would bring something extra. Pity.
31 Jul 2012, 11:37 am
Sadly the form flyhalf in SA is a French international. Hopefully Morne Steyn is working on regaining form. Grant has proven that he is not a player for the crunch big games.
31 Jul 2012, 11:41 am
@Puma-9: Thanks, just confirmed it for me
31 Jul 2012, 11:43 am
Transie that game against the Canes the whole Sharks team played bad… But yes when Fred is bad he is bad…
31 Jul 2012, 11:43 am
@Beast-10: I dont know. I was trying to work out who let the stormers down, think it was probably the pack as Grant had a decent game. Would still prefer him to Morne at the moment
31 Jul 2012, 11:46 am
@Bok fan-13: Sorry that and the Sharks class
31 Jul 2012, 11:50 am
@Bok fan-13: Grant never had a great game on Saturday bud.
Anyhow with the final coming up this week who would you start for the Sharks at inside centre? I think we should go with Bosman. JPP at outside and Bosman inside. Otherwise Lambie could play inside centre. Though Lambie coming back from injury and not having enough game time probably should start off the bench.
31 Jul 2012, 11:52 am
Well done to the Sormers…………Captain Sam thought that those injuries may play a part but hey no excuses anyway cracker of a game. Nice to hear Johan Sadie on his way to Bloem, very interested to see how him and mothergoose roll together. To the Sharks, epic guys and thanks for the entertainment, now go win the damn thing
. Freddy keep doing what you are doing, nothing the New Zealanders love more than getting done by Le Bleus hope you score most of the points just for the salt factor alone!!!
31 Jul 2012, 11:53 am
@Puma-3: Is that another version of the Stormers’ Exceptional Circumstances clause?
31 Jul 2012, 11:55 am
What happened to the site? Why are the Recent Comments column, Poll and pic of Nikita shoved in below? Who broke it?
31 Jul 2012, 11:56 am
@Puma-8: @Puma-8: the Stormers or any franchise could just as well have signed Sergio Parisse for remainder of Super Rugby & Currie Cup, would that be fair to teams like the Cheetahs who clearly don’t have budgets to throw around?
no, let the playing fields be even!
31 Jul 2012, 11:59 am
@>^..^< katman-17:
Something like that….hahaha. Ours seems more exceptional….. 
Not gonna happen. Just imagine if the Boks pick up serious injury and can’t replace the injured player? It never happens there why not here? Injured players should be able to be replaced. Get a medical certificate first. Otherwise some will cry injury for another player to come in.
Okay I have said my bit about this. We will probably start with Bosman there, but heck I would have loved to have seen the clash up with Fransie and SBW.
31 Jul 2012, 12:00 pm
oooh please let it be, a Saffa team wining in NZ with a French flyhalf scoring all the points!!!! Please god it will ease the “goldenbryce” moments!!
31 Jul 2012, 12:03 pm
C’mon Freddy get down to your French roots you know that your soul is crying out to stuff the New Zealnaders one more time in your career!!!!!!!
31 Jul 2012, 12:04 pm
@Puma-15: Ja after your comments on Bosman, the last time the Sharks played the Chiefs, I would go with him. Otherwise I really like Lambie at 12 for when hes a bit out of touch and 10 when hes on form, probably a bit wasted at 15 with his skills set.
Was just saying Grant didnt have an absolute shocker and should now be discarded form Bok contention as Beast implied
31 Jul 2012, 12:04 pm
@Transformation-19: NO Transie. I am meaning if the union has sigened the player long term. 2 or 3 years. If a player is signed for a month or so then no-way should he be allowed to play.
With players out injured it does take away something really. We have Fransie signed for 3 years, not like we pulling fast one here. We seriously have players injured in the 13 and 12 positions. Not even sure if Jordaan is over his injury. I read Greenaway said Sharks took two injured players in Lambie and Jordaan with. Because they have been signed with the union since April. They hoping both those players are okay come Saturday. Not fair to HAVE to take injured players with because those are the players that were signed back then. We honestly should be allowed to replace a injured player. Anyhow as I have said above it will not happen.
Who would you have start from our 24 players over there in the 12 position? I think Bosman must start he played there for 40min last week and the week before and actually was very good there. He also played there against the Chiefs at the Tank and we had SBW covered that time.
31 Jul 2012, 12:05 pm
@Puma-24: typo = signed
31 Jul 2012, 12:06 pm
Viva La Michalak!!!!! and I hope its forward pass style alla 2007!!! thats right baby!!!
31 Jul 2012, 12:07 pm
@Puma-9: “Bosman played at inside centre when Sharks played Chiefs at the Tank. We had SBW sorted in that game. We will do it again with Bosman.”
this is a blatant lie!
31 Jul 2012, 12:08 pm
@Bok fan-23: Grant has been really good all season just the game on Saturday he never had a really good game.
Lambie could start at 12 just think with him being out injured for such a long time he may not be match ready straight up. I would have him coming off the bench. He is a superb player and yes, I too prefer him at 10 and at 12 he is closer to the action too. Plum could play him there I will not be surprised after the surprise on Saturday with him changing the team on the last minute. A Mac move that was…….haha.
31 Jul 2012, 12:10 pm
@Transformation-27: Whay lie? What you talking about?
31 Jul 2012, 12:10 pm
Whay = what
31 Jul 2012, 12:11 pm
The key for me is the forwards… Play like you have played the last few games and Fred will dictate the backline…
31 Jul 2012, 12:12 pm
@THE MAULER-12: no! the sharks had 6)% percent possession for the 1st 20-25 min of that game and were camping in the canes 22 only for michalak to go it alone twice and be turned over! when the canes survived that onslaught, they countered and scored every time.
my point was that, people who are NOW saying “Been saying it all season, Michalak is seriously underrated” are lying!
31 Jul 2012, 12:12 pm
@Puma-20: Those are two different things. This is a tournament, not a test series. Players are drafted for the (commercial) competition. If you wanted a Parisse or a Dusetoir to play for you, then you should have offered a contract at the start, and paid a full season’s worth of money. The Boks can play whomever they choose, as long as he’s eligible for the Boks, and it makes financial and logistical sense to include him at a late stage. In both cases, the playing fields are exactly the same for all parties.
31 Jul 2012, 12:15 pm
@Puma-29: bosman did NOT play centre against the Chiefs in Durban, the starting centre partnership was TW & JPP.!
31 Jul 2012, 12:16 pm
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Grand Dieu ! Par des mains enchaînées
Nos fronts sous le joug se ploieraient
De vils despotes deviendraient
Les maîtres de nos destinées !
Aux armes, citoyens…
Tremblez, tyrans et vous perfides Tremble, tyrants and you traitors
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Tremblez ! vos projets parricides
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Accoure à tes mâles accents,
Que tes ennemis expirants
Voient ton triomphe et notre gloire !
Aux armes, citoyens…
(Couplet des enfants)
Nous entrerons dans la carrière
Quand nos aînés n’y seront plus,
Nous y trouverons leur poussière
Et la trace de leurs vertus (bis)
Bien moins jaloux de leur survivre
Que de partager leur cercueil,
Nous aurons le sublime orgueil
De les venger ou de les suivre
Aux armes, citoyens…
31 Jul 2012, 12:18 pm
Not a Sharks fan but I really hope they win it………………imagine the fall out if the New Zealanders lose at home to a Saffa side with a French Maestro in command. God presents us with an opportunity avenge the “goldenbryce” all glory to God!!!
31 Jul 2012, 12:18 pm
@Puma-29: Hey Bro, i think he is refering to this, this was the Sharks tean vs the Chiefs after we had just returned from down under on our tour,
Sharks: 1. Dale Chadwick , 2. Bismarck du Plessis , 3. Jannie du Plessis , 4. Steven Sykes , 5. Anton Bresler , 6. Jacques Botes , 7. Willem Alberts , 8. Keegan Daniel (Captain) , 9. Charl McLeod , 10. Patrick Lambie , 11. Lwazi Mvovo , 12. Tim Whitehead , 13. JP Pietersen , 14. Louis Ludik , 15. Riaan Viljoen
Replacements , 16. Craig Burden , 17. Wiehahn Herbst , 18. Pieter-Steph du Toit , 19. Jean Deysel , 20. Marcell Coetzee , 21. Frederic Michalak , 22. Meyer Bosman
Chiefs: 1. Arizona Taumalolo , 2. Mahonri Schwalger , 3. Ben Tameifuna , 4. Craig Clarke (c) , 5. Brodie Retallick , 6. Liam Messam , 7. Sam Cane , 8. Alex Bradley , 9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow , 10. Aaron Cruden , 11. Asaeli Tikoirotuma , 12. Sonny Bill Williams , 13. Richard Kahui , 14. Lelia Masaga , 15. Andrew Horrell
Replacements :16. Hika Elliot , 17. Josh Hohneck , 18. Michael Fitzgerald , 19. Tanerau Latimer , 20. Augustine Pulu , 21. Jackson Willison , 22. Robbie Robinson
31 Jul 2012, 12:23 pm
@Transformation-34: I apologise Transie. Timmy started. Thought it was Bosman. Just checked. Bosman did come on later he was on the bench. And what I recall from that game we did keep SBW in check.
31 Jul 2012, 12:25 pm
@sharks_lover-37: Yes checked. Somehow thought Bosman started. Anyhow it was Timmy but what I do remember well is that SBW was not such a big factor in our game against them.
Bosman’s defence has been excellent in the last two games. Who would you start at inside centre?
31 Jul 2012, 12:26 pm
@sharks_lover-37: thank you sharky…i don’t know where Puma got that Meyer Bosman shutdown SBW when Bosman only played 22 minutes of that match. Sonny Bill Williams made 76 metres with ball in hand the most by any chiefs player on the day.
31 Jul 2012, 12:27 pm
and because no matter what team they play for vrystaaters bly mos vrysaarters “VAT HOM FLUFFFFIIIEEE”
31 Jul 2012, 12:27 pm
@sharks_lover-37: I still have that game on my pvr. Will watch it later and see how we went again. I do remember the Chiefs scored a try right on the 80min though. It was a very close game. Closer than the 6 points they beat us with.
31 Jul 2012, 12:28 pm
Transie he made a good few meteres but wasn’t his usual self… Knocked on a lot and passes not going to hand etc…
31 Jul 2012, 12:30 pm
@Transformation-32: Hes a BMT player and since the Sharks have had to win every game for the last 5 or 6 rounds, hes stepped up everytime. Before that he played at scrummie mostly so not sure what you on about. Was saying then that his flyhalf game is underrated and hes proved me right? Not so
31 Jul 2012, 12:31 pm
@Puma-39: Eish bro i am so confused as to that center pairing, because no matter which one they choose it could be great or blow up in our faces
For consistancy i would prolly go the rought of Bosman and JPP for the first half, Lambie at 15 with Ludik at 14.
I am a huge fan of Jordaan as you know, but i reckon with 30-35 min to go he can cause some havock, specially with his speed against some tired legs
31 Jul 2012, 12:32 pm
@Puma-38: it’s cool, just wanted to clarify.
when mvovo went off after the head clash with masaga, do you know who came on for him? the sharks only had fred & bosman on the bench, someone had to move to wing…
31 Jul 2012, 12:32 pm
@THE MAULER-43: I just remember that SBW never had such a great game that day.
Who would you start this weekend? Bosman or Lambie at 12?
31 Jul 2012, 12:34 pm
@Transformation-46: No problem Transie.
Now if you were Plum who would you play at inside centre, because I think we have to be smart who we play there. Bosman’s defence has been outstanding for the last 40min of the last two games he has played.
We have not much choice. Bosman or Lambie. I think Lambie may still be carrying a slight injury. So for me it has to be Bosman.
31 Jul 2012, 12:35 pm
@THE MAULER-43: yes, i remember the series of knock-ons but i can’t agree that he was shutdown…both teams played scrappy rugby and the game could’ve gone either way until augustine pulu snatched it @ the end with an audacious dart around the ruck with the hooter gone…
31 Jul 2012, 12:36 pm
Puma I would start Bosman and play Lambie off the bench… Ludik at FB and JP back at wing with Jordaan at 13… Lambie can cover 10,12,15…
31 Jul 2012, 12:37 pm
I would have started with Jordaan at 12 – he has serious BMT. I would have kept JPP outside him, and Ludik on the wing. And I would have put Lambie at 15. And because they’d already have two goal kickers, I would have dropped Viljoen and put Bosman on the bench. But that’s just me.
31 Jul 2012, 12:38 pm
@Transformation-46: I remember Mvovo getting the head clash. Not sure who came on. I do remember in one of the games Craig Burden came on and played wing for a bit. It could very well have been him.
Need to watch that game again to see how we went. I know it was a very, very close game and it came down to the wire. They got a try after the hooter. So not taking that into account but before it. There was only a few in it at the time. Do remember they missed the conversion at the end and we got a losing bonus point because of it. Lucky…hehe. That one point put us in the play-offs. Just shows how some bonus points helps on the way.
31 Jul 2012, 12:40 pm
Lol agree Transie… Both teams were k ak that day…
31 Jul 2012, 12:40 pm
@>^..^< katman-51: Good point there Katman. Jordaan can play 12 then not sure when last he did play there. That would mean we would have all our player makers on at once. Jordaans defence is top class too. Could be a good thing to try and pick up the tempo from the start.
31 Jul 2012, 12:41 pm
Sa vs NZl Hockey,0-3 at the mo
31 Jul 2012, 12:42 pm
SBW a huge threat keep JPP at center, with the form he is in at the moment, need to keep SBW honest. Jordaan on the wing and Lambie at fullback. Bosman to start may just be hitting form……………..eventually lol.
31 Jul 2012, 12:44 pm
@THE MAULER-50: Yes that could work as well. Just think we should stick with players that have been playing in the last few games. I rate Lambie highly but he is not game fit. Well he has not had any true game time except the bit against the Cheetahs. Also not sure if he is 100% over his injury so yes, I think he should be played off the bench. Then Katman’s post 51 is also something to think about. He has Lambie starting. Jeez I am just pleased we are not the Coach…….hahaha.
31 Jul 2012, 12:44 pm
@Puma-54: In matric, which was not that long ago for him. I think he played 10 and 12.
31 Jul 2012, 12:45 pm
Playing Lambie from the bench because he was injured for the last 2 games and he will be fresh for the last 30… Just an opinion…
31 Jul 2012, 12:49 pm
Lambie played 12 in 2010 CC before moving to FH…
31 Jul 2012, 12:49 pm
@>^..^< katman-58: Yeah he is only 20 now. Could work.
@THE MAULER-59: That is also another thought. Lambie will have fresh legs has not played much.
Just have to see who Plum selects. This could be a headache for him.
Okay cheers gents. Out of here for now. Going to grab some lunch.
31 Jul 2012, 12:51 pm
Sorry see you talking about Jordaan… Think he played at 12 for the Sharks U21′s… Maybe…
31 Jul 2012, 13:06 pm
@THE MAULER-59: Its a final boet, risks must be taken, play your best possible team
Now one can go the rought of a bigger center pair or a faster lighter nimble pair Options being
1) Lambie and Jordaan
2) Lambie and JPP
3) Bosman and Jordaan
4) Jordaan and JPP
5) Bosman and JPP
Question is what game plan to follow? because this will also filter down as to whom to choose as the loose forwards as well as the Lock combo.
again that will also go for what the bench must be as to be as effective as possible,If we are going to play the same as the past few weeks?? we then have to choose the players that will keep the flow of the game, Of course defense cannot be thrown out of the window.
If this is the case i would choose the following team to start.
15 Ludick
14 JPP
13 Jordaan
12 Lambie
11 Mvovo
10 Fred
09 Mcleod
08 Kanko
07 Marcel
06 Daniel (Capt)
05 Bresler
04 Sykes
03 Jannie
02 Bismark
01 Beast
16 Burden
17 Herbst
18 Alberts
19 Deysel
20 Botes
21 Bosman
22 Viljoen
Again Why i would rather start with Sykes is to have Alberts fresh at the Start of that 2nd half to play a tad looser and go on the rampage with strong running to open gaps.
I feel Jordaan and JPP can change arouond during the match as it suits them, Also the backline subs are more like that incase we are leading and we want to play a tighter 2nd half.
The Starting backline gives us 2 kickers and not only 1, and of course on the bench you have 2 good kickers in Bosman and Viljoen.
Fact though it matters not who we select lol but who plum selectes
31 Jul 2012, 13:11 pm
@THE MAULER-62: No he played 13 and a few matches at 10 and 14
31 Jul 2012, 13:22 pm
The Sharks released two crash ball centres in Andre Strauss and Riaan Swanepoel and never replaced them, Whitehead is injuries prone and a bit on the under size, JP could be used against the Stormers at centre but against the Chiefs it’s a risk, they are too fast and foot fleeing for him.
31 Jul 2012, 13:24 pm
The travel argument is over-emphasized.
31 Jul 2012, 13:26 pm
SL exactly it up to Plum to choose the team… As I said it is an opinion and rushing Lambie in to the Starting team could work and could not… But I would not change the forward pack as they are playing well together as it is…
31 Jul 2012, 13:30 pm
This is going to a helluva game of rugby to watch, get the feeling that destiny with the Sharks much the same as it was with Chelsea earlier this year. Plum should as far as possible keep the continuity going. with perhaps Lambie at Fulback being the only switch.
Sharks can definitely get on top at the set pices, Chiefs manned up against the Saders but still dont think they have much of a Scrum and if I were Plum I may just have a wee flutter to that about the ref……………….”watch Chiefs props on the bind” looked like they were doing some dodge maneuvers against the Saders.
31 Jul 2012, 13:30 pm
@Transformation-4:
Yeah yeah….whatever you say….
31 Jul 2012, 13:36 pm
@ Captain… A guy in my office has been saying that since yesterday that he feels the Sharks are going to do a Chelsea and win… Hope you are both correct!
31 Jul 2012, 13:40 pm
@>^..^< katman-51: Jordaan reminds me of Deputy Travis Junior from Reno 911
31 Jul 2012, 13:43 pm
@THE MAULER-70: Here is hoping…………..despite what Mark Keohane pedals…………I as a South African neutral really hope the Sharks win would have been behind the Stormers aswell …………maybe its cause I support the Cheetahs and dont get to many finals to watch
………..but hey we provide you lads with the big pockets the raw material and they come back home to Bloem a lot wealthier and happier all in all win win!!! 
and personally I love seeing New Zealand get stuffed in anything!! not cause Im a hater Im just a Saffa its in the DNA lol and I still think SBW should move to Bloem……………
31 Jul 2012, 13:44 pm
Testing one two three
31 Jul 2012, 13:46 pm
@Nikita-73: 4,5,6
31 Jul 2012, 13:49 pm
@Nikita-73:
oh nikita.
why have you moved to the bottom of the page?
31 Jul 2012, 13:50 pm
@Captain Sam Vimes-72: Before Capatain Sam get pilloried I meant that only in sporting terms “mates”. I think NZ a really beautiful country and even have some NZ friends who know not to speak about anything sport related between the islands and the republic, as long as we stay off that page harmony otherwise its Sparta myself and mate of mine didn’t talk for six months after the “goldenbryce” until I agreed that I would refer to it as the “goldenbrycebarnes”
31 Jul 2012, 13:51 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-75:
Franctic disfunction.
31 Jul 2012, 13:55 pm
@Nikita-77: Hey Nikita is it cold In your little corner of the world?
31 Jul 2012, 13:57 pm
@Nikita-77:
thats ok.
as long as its not cuntic disfraction.
31 Jul 2012, 14:02 pm
Meyer Bosman’s defence is sound ….. He also gets plenty of ball off the ground . He also has a really good pass . I think he has played pretty well every time he has come onto the field this year . Of the other centres … Steyn is the king …Whitehead reads the game well ……Joordaan has the X-factor .
31 Jul 2012, 14:09 pm
Oh dear.
31 Jul 2012, 14:23 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-79:
Sharp as ever!
31 Jul 2012, 14:31 pm
Don’t select the team on what you THINK the opponents will do. Select a team that will play the gameplan that you want to play.
If Lambie is the man best suited at 12 for the game plan, **** SBW then. Select Lambie there and play the way you want to play.
Let him (SBW) worry about a fleet footed Lambie instead ofLambie worry about SBW running over him.
Bosman proved himself to be incapable of scoring a try even with only 5m to go, an open try line begging and the nearest defender about 10m from him. Let’s not even talk about his defense.
31 Jul 2012, 16:04 pm
@Atreides-71: Its the awesome tache
31 Jul 2012, 16:05 pm
@Hondo-65: Whitehead is no so small…..I think he is around 6.1 and 90-95Kg….
31 Jul 2012, 16:07 pm
@nama1-83: I agree 100% but the argument is a little moot to me as Lambie is the exact guy I would use to 12 to negate SBW. Lambie may not smash okes back everytime but he is a very solid defender, if we can have him hitting SBW low each time and get our loosies to target double hits around the ball we can wrap him up.
31 Jul 2012, 16:08 pm
@Skeppie-85: Indeed:
FULL NAME Timothy John
SURNAME Whitehead
HEIGHT 188 cm
WEIGHT 90 Kg
31 Jul 2012, 16:10 pm
@kaksioek-87: And I reckon that 90kg is a little misleading, he is probably middle maybe even upper 90′s. He was a great acquisition for the Sharks, didn’t come to us as a world beater but he can develop into a really good 12.
31 Jul 2012, 16:27 pm
If this is our backline in the upcoming series, we will smoke em all:
15 – Aplon
14 – Hougaard
13 – De Villiers
12 – Steyn
11 – Pietersen
10 – Goosen
09 – Pienaar
31 Jul 2012, 16:59 pm
@nama1-83: everybody worried about SBW, watch aaron cruden!!!!!!!
31 Jul 2012, 17:05 pm
@Skeppie-85:
Everything is relatevistic said Einstein, if you compare Whitehead to De Jong, Lambie or Jacobs for that matter then you are right
However, your specimen iare Styen, Jacques Fourie, JdV, Pieter Muller Et al, then he IS a bit on the undersize
31 Jul 2012, 17:16 pm
@Hondo-91: Moron. Nothing small about Tim. There is however everything small about your brain cell.
31 Jul 2012, 17:20 pm
Hi Captain Sam.
Thanks for La Marseillaise.Never knew words
except for first few lines.
Chilling call to blood..
31 Jul 2012, 17:34 pm
JdV most dangerous player for Stormers on Sat.Bresler most
underrated/praised.
31 Jul 2012, 18:28 pm
@Skeppie-88:
Short list for comparison
P. Muller: 100kg
F. Styen: 100 KG
A. Snyman: 98kg
JdV: 98kg
J. Fourie: 97kg
Whitehead: 88kg
31 Jul 2012, 18:42 pm
Well I can say is ‘ Good luck Freddy Micha-luck ‘
31 Jul 2012, 19:30 pm
Play little Lambie at 12 and the poor wee laddie might never ever play rugby ever again… if anything resembles a lamb to the slaughter that gotta be it…
Only reason Sharks got lucky vs Stormers is Plum got a lucky packet thrown at him from outa heaven.. Both Lambiepambie and the Jordanian were absent.. so he got clever and manipulated proceedings while Coetsee and Fleck remained fast asleep – as they ALWAYS are… and pulled a little rabbit out the hat by playing Viljoen at 15 and Ludick at 14 and JPP at No.13
That what did the trickydickie trick .. Michalak , Viljoen and Ludick with JPP gave the sharkshits some depth of dynamism and then Joe Pietersen misses the all important kick and Ludick goes prancing over unmolested…..
Same as in Durban earlier.. Sharkshits get lucky early on with badly bouncing balls uncollected and its a sharkshit try time…
Now they think they the goddamn bees knees – cause they get lucky in the end zone a little too often…
All I can say is I’m hoping the Chieftains don’t bottle up and choke like Stormers did on the weekend and put the hammer down and show some mettle at how to manhandle a bunch of overfed sardines from the shoals off the coast of Zululand.
31 Jul 2012, 19:33 pm
@fitz1ella-97: If talking c rap was grass?? you woulda sailed through the donkeys @ss a long time ago,
31 Jul 2012, 19:40 pm
sail or saunter I’m a happy go lucky Chiefs fan for this weekend.. not because I’m a secret agent looking for a cheap shot.. I’m simply backing the rightful dutifully deserving team to do whats right for rugby … unless of course they go and suffer the same goddamn self inflicted choking disease that Stormers don’t seem able to shrug off their psyched out dilemma year after dooms bury year.
31 Jul 2012, 19:55 pm
when’s the swimming on.. this rugby sh’ts getting kinda boring..
31 Jul 2012, 19:55 pm
@fitz1ella-99: So glad I dont know you
31 Jul 2012, 20:27 pm
nah bullshit i go for sharks over chiefs, but shouldve been stormers, i reckon sharks could get pomped but if they take it, gotta be one of the greatest comebacks of alltime.
31 Jul 2012, 20:29 pm
wtf this crapass swimming on for, why they not play rugby, then maybe they get a few spectators…horseshit of the highest order.
31 Jul 2012, 20:33 pm
Looks the the sale of anti depressents (sp) is going to BOOM when Sharks beat the Chiefs, am loving it.
31 Jul 2012, 20:37 pm
@cab-103:
Ja, Stormers at Newlands woukd have had a better chance than the sharks in Hamilton but nothing we can do about it now. You better watch the swimming- U boykie Chad le Clos is in the 200m butterfly final at 19.48.- do it for volk and vaderland.
31 Jul 2012, 20:41 pm
@Robzim-105:
yip without doubt RobZ – hopeless, but they tried hard – put too much pressure on themselves.
watched the v d berg worldrecord – suppose its impressive, but i got no interest. when the cricket starting, amla for another triple ton or the poms gonna show why they no 1?
31 Jul 2012, 20:50 pm
@cab-106:
The Poms will be desperate- as you know a person can never say what’s going to happen in cricket, so i am not making predictions. I just hope they get 5 days of play with no rain interference.
31 Jul 2012, 20:54 pm
Wowwwwww!!!!!!!!!!
31 Jul 2012, 20:55 pm
Chad you beauty.
31 Jul 2012, 20:55 pm
yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssc
31 Jul 2012, 20:57 pm
Unfarkinbelievable.He fippin got it! Phelps got the timing wrong at the end . Unreal!!!!
31 Jul 2012, 20:57 pm
What a fantastic swim, after 100 i said to the wife he is pacing himself brilliantly
31 Jul 2012, 20:58 pm
yoh le close wins, the scots cry when they lose, the saffas when they win – wtf?
31 Jul 2012, 20:59 pm
GOLD.
Well done Chad.
Huge mistake by Phelps.
31 Jul 2012, 20:59 pm
What an amazing swim. This kid has balls like bricks.
31 Jul 2012, 21:00 pm
HELL TO THE YEAAAAH.
The Americans are soooooo pissed off with South Africa now.
31 Jul 2012, 21:03 pm
@>^..^< katman-115:
At final turn, I thought ok that’s a bronze sewn up. Then upgraded to silver with about 10m to go. And then Phelps mistimed his finish. What a swim. Still got a massive future.
31 Jul 2012, 21:05 pm
@IAAS-117: Natal produces another champ
31 Jul 2012, 21:05 pm
cant understand what they get so emotional for, he goes for a little dip, wins the thing and then goes off on one — this is not the world cup ekse??!
31 Jul 2012, 21:06 pm
@sharks_lover-118:
I just saw a seffrican there by the pool.
31 Jul 2012, 21:09 pm
@IAAS-120:
boet i know, just teasin a bit,
31 Jul 2012, 21:09 pm
Excellent performance by your boy….
I would swear his Dad looked like a Blue Bull supporter!
2 Gold Medals in the pool, how fantastic.
31 Jul 2012, 21:10 pm
@cab-119:
Cute seeing a tough Saffa with a wobbly bottom lip!
31 Jul 2012, 21:11 pm
117 – all along I thought he had the beating of the japanese swimmer but I honestly thought phelps had the gold sewn up. He looked pretty focused though. Not intimidated at all.
31 Jul 2012, 21:14 pm
@>^..^< katman-124:
He was totally focussed. Having Phelps next to him must have psyched him up even more. Hope we do something now in the relay.
31 Jul 2012, 21:14 pm
@carol-123:
please god no more of that – they shoulda interviewed the bluebull walrus old fella – would just been fok fok en meer fok…
31 Jul 2012, 21:24 pm
@IAAS-125: Actually just so you know boet, both our gold medalists from Westville boys high
so 2 Natal Boys
31 Jul 2012, 21:25 pm
king Le Clos
That was the most phenomenal swim by Any South African Ever-
Better even than Vd Berg because Le Clos came at Phelps from the dead. From 3rd off the turn if pulled both the Japanese AND took out Phelps at the wall.
That was sheer killer temperament like no South African has EVER shown to come back at the world record holder like that
31 Jul 2012, 21:28 pm
Ai the bodies.
31 Jul 2012, 21:29 pm
@cab-126:
Not sure exactly what that means, but I have a very good idea!!
31 Jul 2012, 21:29 pm
@Dawn-129:
i dunno those tannies are pretty hefty, u see the shoulders on that unit from uzbekistan?
31 Jul 2012, 21:30 pm
@Dawn-129:
Something spooky about a man in a swimming hat!!
31 Jul 2012, 21:30 pm
@fitz1ella-128: agree with you
31 Jul 2012, 21:31 pm
@Dawn-129:
Do any of them have hairy chests?
31 Jul 2012, 21:31 pm
@sharks_lover-127:
Good stuff. The school can be proud. Give the boys a day off tomorrow.
31 Jul 2012, 21:33 pm
@fitz1ella-128:
You are in your element here skop!
Did you enjoy the Three Day Eventing?
31 Jul 2012, 21:34 pm
Noooooooo
They look sort of alien like human fish
31 Jul 2012, 21:37 pm
@IAAS-135:
boet true,they should
31 Jul 2012, 21:39 pm
Ahh your anthem now….
31 Jul 2012, 21:40 pm
Now way is that Dad a sharks man!!
All those early mornings and training were all worth it!!
Chad is your man!!
31 Jul 2012, 21:41 pm
the old bugger;s hilarious, he should have his own tv show, uh-oh he also shedding the crocodiles, almal huil..
31 Jul 2012, 21:42 pm
@cab-141:
the BBC have grabbed Dad, hope he is interviewed soon on our TV
31 Jul 2012, 21:44 pm
His Dad is priceless…. Hope you are getting this!!
Excellent TV !!
31 Jul 2012, 21:44 pm
Bert, take a bow!
We like you too!!
31 Jul 2012, 21:46 pm
@carol-143: Yes he is a big Sharks fan Carol
31 Jul 2012, 21:47 pm
@carol-142:
fk me they did interview him too… and he was vloeking gevaarlike, but he did say thank you madame to the lesbo at the end..polite.
31 Jul 2012, 21:51 pm
No, we’re seeing images of blokes tying up little strings of flags over the pool. Way to go, Supersport.
How emotional was that medal ceremony. Well done, young man. You and Cameron are the Bokke of the pool.
31 Jul 2012, 21:54 pm
Can we medal again?
31 Jul 2012, 21:57 pm
Come on, boys!
31 Jul 2012, 22:05 pm
Michael Phelps.
Legend.
19th Olympic medal.
31 Jul 2012, 22:08 pm
@sharks_lover-145:
A Sharkie well I never!
31 Jul 2012, 22:10 pm
@cab-146:
Cab be nice about Claire Balding, she is an excellent sports presenter!
31 Jul 2012, 22:12 pm
Well done Michael Phelps- Now the greatest Olympian ever with an astonishing 19 medals- showed great sportsmanship in taking the loss to Chad with such dignity.
31 Jul 2012, 22:13 pm
@Robzim-153:
Big ears tho!
31 Jul 2012, 22:14 pm
Yes, don’t be nasty just because she’s balding.
31 Jul 2012, 22:15 pm
@carol-151:
Yes, SA is a very diverse country as you probably know by now
People differ from area to area
For example:
Best swimmers: Durban
Best surfers: Durban
Best rugby players: Cape Town
Best girls: Cape Town
Biggest boeps: Pretoria
I can give more examples but don’t want to upset people so let’s leave it there
31 Jul 2012, 22:16 pm
@carol-152:
seems a very nice lesbian lady
31 Jul 2012, 22:18 pm
@Robzim-156:
Bwahahhhhahah………..
Very funny Rob
31 Jul 2012, 22:19 pm
read it in the sunday times, can’t say it came as a big surprise tho, really shouldnt matter, really, very nice, she knows her sport too, saw her doing the rugby league up north, that one could scrum down i reckon.
31 Jul 2012, 22:21 pm
@cab-159:
Claire Balding can present any sports programme, she can make anything interesting!
Great to have on the BBC team
31 Jul 2012, 22:22 pm
That was boys against men as Phelps becomes the greatest Olympic swimmer this world has known.
19 medals and no other Olympian has that number and it will increase. Gold medals alone number 15 now.
He is a very gracious winner and loser too as shown by his looking after(as if he was a little brother) your Le Clos who choked up during the medal ceremony. And all of that barely minutes before this 4 X 200 relay gold winning performance.
The BBC does a great job on that swimming commentary as they do with all sport.
31 Jul 2012, 22:26 pm
what u talking about? – jnr le clos beat the greatest the world has ever known. and snr confirmed it.
how can they give phelps 19 golds, sacriledgeous, gdam daylight robbery, carl lewis, michael johnson – those are olympic champions.
1 Aug 2012, 01:55 am
@AntiViral-161: Chad Le Clos – what a legend! Putting Michael Phelps the so-called Olympic King to shame. Being out touched by another swimmer undoubtly the biggest disgrace you can suffer.
And then the big baby Phelps threw his goggles out of the pool and storms past the media like a spoilt brat. Disgraceful behavior from the Olympic King!
1 Aug 2012, 05:09 am
@cab-162: Lewis was a drugs cheat, I suspect that is the case with many of the past American champions. Check this out:
‘Carl Lewis has broken his silence on allegations that he was the beneficiary of a drugs cover-up, admitting he had tested positive for banned substances but claiming he was just one of “hundreds” of American athletes who were allowed to escape bans.
“There were hundreds of people getting off,” he said. “Everyone was treated the same.”
Lewis has now acknowledged that he failed three tests during the 1988 US Olympic trials, which under international rules at the time should have prevented him from competing in the Seoul games two months later.
The admission is a further embarrassment for the United States Olympic Committee, which had initially denied claims that 114 positive tests between 1988 and 2000 were covered up. It will add weight to calls by leading anti-doping officials and top athletes for an independent inquiry into the US’s record on drug issues.’
1 Aug 2012, 05:17 am
@Big Hit-164:
Where’d you get that from?
1 Aug 2012, 05:34 am
he is french..most likely a great game..followed by a poor one!
1 Aug 2012, 07:26 am
@kwas-163:
After being initially upset (who would not have been?) Phelps regained his composure and showed great sportsmanship and dignity in defeat as pointed out on numerous occasions by the british commentators.
It is also no disgrace to be out touched to the wall by another swimmer-all that it means is that he misjudged his final stroke – in tight finishes it’s a split second decision of whether to reach for the wall or to try and get more propulsion before reaching – in Beijing he got it right and won by 0,01 second and last night he got it wrong and lost by 0.05 seconds. That is sport- mistakes happen, no disgrace whatsoever.
If Phelps who has won more medals than any other person in the history of the olympics is according to you the “so-called” king of Olympics who would you regard as the real king and why?
1 Aug 2012, 07:56 am
@fitz1ella-99:
The only choking that will be done is you on a Zimbo’s purple head.
1 Aug 2012, 10:42 am
UFO.Hi.Interesting aricle on RUGGAWORLD re mental coaching.
“Got game plan…..No brains”
Regards
1 Aug 2012, 11:12 am
@kwas-163: Dude he was obviously upset at himself for a rookie mistake. He was pretty cool after that.
After months an months of hard preparation, I’m sure you can allow him some emotion after making a mistake like that
1 Aug 2012, 17:48 pm
That’s quite a revelation to me Big Hit – suppose during the 80/’s and 90s they were mostly all on the juice.
I think he and Johnson are great commentators on the bbc.
2 Aug 2012, 12:40 pm
@Robzim-156: Actually ironic how that’s not the case. You’d think the best swimmers would be from Durban, but most of the swimming champions from the past came from inland: Bloem, Joburg and Pretoria.
2 Aug 2012, 12:52 pm
Phelps will most probably get his 20th medal. To really realize how great that is, consider that SA only had 72 medals in more than a century.
SA only had 26 medals since re-admission, with only 5 golds.
Gotta say, it is slightly suspicious, but what the heck.
2 Aug 2012, 14:46 pm
Okay! Make that 27 medals with 6 golds! Brilliant job our rowers!
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