The Sharks coach, John Plumtree has announced that he has appointed John Smit as captain of The Sharks for 2010 season.
Courtesy from www.sharksrugby.co.za
In previous years, because of John’s commitment to the Springboks, it was felt it was better to appoint another player as captain to ensure continuity. However, this thinking has now changed and is welcome news for all the players and supporters.
John Plumtree commented: “It was obviously a tough decision to make, considering the exceptional work put in by Johann Muller and Stefan Terblanche over the last two years. John Smit is widely acknowledged as the best captain in world rugby and is an exceptional leader. With the three of them being good mates, he will continue to have the full backing of Johann and Stefan and all the players are very supportive of this decision.”
A veteran of 159 games for The Sharks, John was first appointed as captain back in 2001, at the age of 23. He successfully managed this role until 2007, captaining The Sharks on 56 occasions.
Smit added that, “I am very conscious of the fact that I can call upon the advice and input from two great leaders in Johann and Stefan, making my job so much easier. This is a wonderful situation to be in and I am confident that The Sharks will have a very good season this year. To be able to lead such a talented team is very rewarding for me.”
John Smit
- Position: Hooker / Prop
- Physical: 1.88m; 120kg
- Province: The Sharks
- Born: 03.04.78, Polokwane
- Province Caps: 61
- Province Points: 60 [12t]
- Province Debut: 1997 v Western Province
- Super 14 Caps: 98
- Super 14 Points: 35 [7t]
- Super 14 Debut: 1999 v Waratahs
- Test Caps: 93
- Test Points: 30 [6t]
- Test Debut: 2000 v Canada
Now this is the news that most Shark supporters wanted. We have a tough draw this year, so we need the best personel for the job ahead.
This is the first bit of good news comeing from the Shark camp, am a bit more positive now. He will make a huge difference, lets cross fingers Deysel doesnt get injured again and we could possible do quite well.
Snoek, Very pleased that John is Sharks captain again. Should have been last year already.
Yip, we have a really rubbish draw actually. Very tough. Playing most of the top sides on their turf this year. With John’s leadership hoping we can get to top 4. HOPING. With a draw like we have think it may not be possible.
Hi Puma and TH
Yes we need to win a lot of away games this season. But if we do it would be good for SA rugby in a whole. We have been more succesful in NZ and AUS lately with both our boks and our provincial teams, and the more we beat them at their home grounds, the more doubt they have against us.
2 – Treehugs, Hope that none of the players get injured especially our captain.
Yip, last year we felt it when Deysel was injured and Ruan shifting Frans to FH. What a pity about those injuries. Wanted to see Ruan have a full season at FH and Frans at inside centre. Think with two at FH and inside centre for a whole season we would probably have seen a different result from the Sharks last year, of course if Deysel was not injured too.
Meant after Ruan got injured Frans shifted to FH. Sorry stupid mistake again 😀
Wish the Alberts and Ludik saga can end too,so both of those players can start to train with peace of mind with the Sharks.
What is the point of Lions fighting this if the players heart is not with that union no longer?
Our big problem is the fact that we have little depth at flyhalve.
4 – Snoek, Think Sharks do travel well, just that we have so many games away this year against top teams in the S14. Going to be very, very difficult to keep up the winning away from home to the good sides in the S14. I have some doubt. Should not though just being a bit realistic. Hope my team prove me wrong. My support is fully behin them though.
7 – Puma
Is this still not sorted?
Hi guys am on cell, will take forever to reply. Convienent when i am on the go outside most of the time.
Am very happy bout Smith, was feeling a bit negative bout our team for this year, but am not so much any more, main worry for me is Ruan playing at 10 with all his potential i keep hearing about.
8 – Snoek, That is a problem. Ruan will have to play FH. No question. Plum must lay the law down to him and play him only there.
I rate him at FH, actually think he would be a damn great FH. Just don’t let him take the goal kicks. Give it to Rory if he plays scrummie. Bet if Ruan played a season there he would be superb.
9 – Puma
No sure, it will be difficult, but some of these players want to go and win a World Cup in less than two years time, and to do that they must be able to win a few tough games in a row.
Dont think Dummond (sp) did 2 bad last year.
10 – Snoek, No the saga is still going on. Read it on Voldy.
12 -Puma
Yes Ruan has got the talent. Rory is a good kicker, but a hot head. If he can sort out that attitude he would be great for the Sharks.
13 – Snoek, You 100% correct there. Must say if we win a lot away from home that will bring a lot of confidence. Still tough I think.
Brumbies, Tahs, Saders, Canes and Bulls all away from home. Those are great sides we have to play on their turf, not going to be easy.
15 – Puma
Don’t believe everything you read on the dark side 😉
16 – Snoek, With John as captain feel Rory will have that temper under control. Well hoping as he is a very good scrummie. Kicks well too.
14 – Treehugs, Dummond was quite good last year.
Snoek something bout the Lions wont give release papers and arbitration by saru or something like that.
17 – At least we now that most people don’t give us much of a chance this year. That could work in our favour if teams underestimate us. We will have to wait and see.
18 – Snoek, Okay……. 😆
21 – Th
We will manage without Alberts and Ludick for now, but after a few weeks in the S14 we might just need them. The Sharks must sort this out quickly.
22 – Snoek, Ja sort of takes the presssure off of the team.
If Rory looses it, there is mclean. I think he is just as good cept for the kicking.
23 – 😆
24 – Snoek, Sharks are trying to sort it out fast, from what I have read. It is the Lions that are digging their feet in. Why? These two players have been training with the Sharks since November? They will never want to go back to the Lions now. So actually Lions are wasting their money fighting this. It is crazy man, really my mind boggles why they are fighting a losing battle. Those players minds are made up and their hearts are no more with the Lions. Let them go I say.
I would never have players playing for me if their hearts were not in it. You wont get 100% from players like that.
The twins is there as well. They play 9 and 10. A bit small, but who knows, Gitz is small too.
27 – Snoek, Just doing as I am told……hehehehe.
Where is Sharky these days? Have not seen him about here for a very long time.
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