Under fire coach John Plumtree released his team that will take on the Waratahs this weekend.
The Sharks are desperate for a win which sees them currently 0 from 3.
With this in mind it was expected Plumtree might make a few changes which he duly did – with some surprises at hand.
Andy Goode starts at 10 for the Sharks this weekend after a disappointing debut for the franchise last weekend against the Crusaders where he got a yellow card before even breaking a sweat.
This crucially sees Ruan Pienaar, a guy Plumtree backs as the best 9 at the Sharks, take duty at scrumhalf with Rory Kockett moving to the bench.
Waylon Murray also finds himself on the bench again with Adi Jacobs at 13, and Riaan Swannepoel doing duty in the 12 jersey.
Jean Deysel finds himself on the bench again with Keegan Daniel preferred in the 6 jersey, partnered by Willem Alberts at 7 and the only forward in any decent form, Kankowski at 8.
Another crucial selection is John Smit back in the number 2 jersey as he continues his musical chairs routine with Bismarck du Plessis who is back on the bench.
Bismarck’s brother Jannie takes over the number 3 jersey, while the Beast is also relegated to the bench in place of Deon Carstens who starts at loosehead.
Sharks team:
15. Stefan Terblanche
14. Odwa Ndungane
13. Adrian Jacobs
12. Riaan Swanepoel
11. JP Pietersen (50th cap)
10. Andrew Goode
9. Ruan Pienaar
8. Ryan Kankowski
7. Willem Alberts
6. Keegan Daniel
5. Johann Muller
4. Steven Sykes
3. Jannie du Plessis
2. John Smit ©
1. Deon Carstens
Replacements
16. Bismarck du Plessis
17. Tendai Mtawarira
18. Wilhelm Steenkamp
19. Jean Deysel
20. Jacques Botes
21. Rory Kockott
22. Waylon Murray
You heard it here first…I think the Tjarks will take this game…
Please, Please, Please Blouste, I hope you are right!!!
I have too many concerns with selection to believe that Blouste…
Sorry TH
Verdict still out on Goode, but this is a much more balanced side I believe…
Can a team as good as this Sharks team lose four in a row ?
#3
Like what ?
Goode is not called ‘Foode’ for nothing – was 3rd choice in his French club.
Ruan is under massive pressure because he now plays where he wants to…
Swannie is average so I do not see the 9. 10 and 12 axis create anything for the outside backs.
In the pack, Jannie can only scrum and has about zero work rate.
Carstens for Beast?
Deysel on the bench?
Too many selection questions in my head against a Tahs team that will play their opening game at home, after two losses in SA…
6 – Morne I too and concerned about this Goode oke. Never seen him play except for about 8 min last week. I have my doubts about him. NH rugby is not S14 that is for sure. This is a big step up.
I would never ever have left Deysel on the bench. Have been saying for awhile now why not just play him at 6. What is your thoughts on that? Deysel 6 Alberst 7 and Kanko at 8.
No man never agree to see Deysel on the bench.
Would also have played Mvovo before Odwa. Try out the younster Lambie too. Nothing to lose at this stage.
1 – Blouste…..hehehe. Now that I have finally selected on bru against my Sharkies they may just win….hahaha.
Well, as far as the backline is concerned, possibly the best backline under the circumstances. I certainly hope JP Pietersen regains his form in his 50th cap.
Forwards….. arghhhhhhh, a bit of good and a bit of bad… John back at hooker I believe is a positive, Doc Jannie at Tight Head….. eishhhhhhh man but I suppose with John moving back to hooker it is the best under the circumstances, hell is there not another tight head prop though…. Beast replaced by Carstens…. let’s how he goes.
My main problem still lies with Johan Muller at 5, would have liked to see Wilhelm Stenkamp partnering Sykes!
Keegan Daniel at No 6 is a mistake, Deysel should have been chosen, with Botes coming from the bench.
Sharks are playing the Waratahs, who arguably boast the strongest forwards pack of the Australian sides in the Super 14…. I think it will be a loooong match for the Sharks again, let’s hope I’m horribly wrong.
1 – Blouste that Tahs team were superb last week. Tell you what, they would have beaten any of the other S14 teams last week had they played them. Only the Bulls could have beaten them. (Bulls are in a class of their own at the moment) Tahs played some really great rugby. Think they have finally clicked. Took awhile but if they play like that again don’t see Sharks winning we could lose by a lot.
Puma,
That was my preferred loose-trio for them pre-season.
Only difference is, I would have played Kanko at 7 and Alberts at 8.
I’ve still got a feeling guys… Sharks were terrible last week…but still they managed to stay in the game for 65 odd minutes…
Their bench, as some have mentioned will probably stregthen their team in the last 20, also the Tahs are returning from SA.
They might well underestimate the Sharks…
If the guys have their heads sorted and put in a 100% performance I think they might just be in with a chance…
I’m telling you, got a feeling…
One BIG question…
Who will handle their goal kicking…If Pienaar…thats where they might lose it…
11 – Morne, I would have played that loose trio for sure. Alberts to play 8 and Kanko at 7. That could work too. Just why the heck are Sharks missing this? A few of us are all saying play that loose trio. Sharks are sure missing a trick here.
Also play Mvovo, more speed than Odwa. Played superb in the CC before Odwa came back. Would really like to see Lambie get a chance too.
Just have my doubts about this Goode oke. Hope he is up to it.
13 – Blouste, Heard that Goode is quite a good kicker. He will handle the kicking. Not so sure about anything else about him though.
Goode & Pienaar can kick for posts… no problem… and if it is still a stuff-up then Kockott is on the bench.
Morne…
Why don’t you just tell me who you’re gonna back on superbru, then I know to go for the other team… 😆
12 – Blouste hope your feeling is right.
hahahahahaha. Just thinking of that song my daughter plays all the time. ‘I gotta feeling that tonight’s gonna be a good night’ hahahahaha. Just change the (tonight’s and night to game) 😉
Go put in your Bru picks now Blouste.
16 – GBS, If Tahs played like last week we going to need more than a good (Goode..hehehehe) kicker. Need to be scoring tries.
Yip Puma ,heard the same…
Time will tell…
Okay everyone go put in your bru picks. 😆
I done mine early this week.
Picks will go in tonight…will probably change them a trizillion times before then 😉
22 – Blouste you think to hard…hahaha. It is easy peasy this week. Not much to think about. Do em now.
Puma…
If you look at it straight forward, it looks so easy…
And thats the problem !!!
Making things difficult for myself 😆
Blouste,
Chiefs
Brumbies
Waratahs
Crusaders
Stormers
Hurricanes
Thanks Morne 😉
U-oh, I picked the same as Morné, is that a bad sign?
Tah’s were really impressive against the Bulls. Now they are at home ground. Sharks sucked at home and now they play 10000 miles from home.
If the Sharks win this is will even be a bigger upset than the Reds-Crusader game.
24 – Blouste, I have the same as Morne, not the same margins but think that is how it will go.
If there are any upsets this week it will be Cheethas, Highlanders and Sharks that could win. Just don’t see it happen. Maybe Cheetahs as Canes are without some of their top players. So there could be a upset there that Cheetahs could win.
So now I have messed with your brain……hehehe. Do those picks tonight. 😆
I will go for:
Chiefs – By quite a margin
Brumbies – By 20 or more, due to the many Lions changes
Crusaders – Saders at home to win against a haphazard Blues team
Waratahs – Can’t see the Tjarks bounce back yet…. just can’t
Stormers – Surely they have too much ammo for the Highlanders, Stormers by 15 Plus
Hurricanes – As much as I want to see the Cheetahs win, this is a classy Canes side… Canes by 15
So, same as Pismier… it seems that this week is a bit easier to predict, last week was not!
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