There are suggestions that Pat Lambie could still make a comeback before the play-offs in July.
Mercury
Pat Lambie who got injured in the Sharks’ 5th round match against the Bulls with his halfback partner Cobus Reinach seems to be recovering faster than estimated as early reports indicated. both Lambie and Reinach were initially said to be out for around 4 to 6 weeks, but it was later confirmed that Lambie had torn his bicep muscle and would be out for around 6 months. With more injuries hitting the Sharks over the weekend the news from Jake White that Lambie could be available for the final two league matches, as well as the play-offs, was welcome news.
“Jake White explained that the 4 or 5 games that Patrick would then play in (should we fare well in the play-offs), was very good news indeed, much of our game plan was invested in him making the calls, this he said would be of great help to new captain (Bismark du Plessis).”
In last weekend’s clash with the Cheetahs Tonderai Chavhanga got added to the mounting injury list. Chavanga limped off just before half-time against the Cheetahs with a hamstring injury, that could keep him out for up to 4 weeks. JP Pietersen, Paul Jordaan and Fred Zeilinga are all sidelined with the same injury and will not be available for this weeks match against the Highlanders.
White in a little bit of other good news indicated that Odwa Ndugane could be ready for this coming weekends match. Frans Steyn has been the one player keeping the sharks on the front foot and hopefully can keep going. White says Steyn is fine. “He needs a break but he will be fine for this week, especially when we have a lot of guys that are 50-50. Frans understands that he has to bide his time until we get guys back. Frans is very important to the team, especially with a new 10 (in Swiel). He knows that.”
The Sharks also await the return of Cobus Reinach, Tera Mtembu and Anton Bresler, with Pieter Steph du Toit unfortunately still out for the rest of the season. The injuries are mounting and we only have one game to go before the tour explained White who now seems tempted to rest a few of his players? but at the same time feels that this would not be the right game to take that risk. “It is so important to get on the plane on a winning note. “We have a short week, a five-day turnaround from the Cheetahs match, so to make five or six changes because the players need it physically could be the wrong thing for this week because it will disrupt our rhythm. “It is a home game, and a game against a team fresh after their bye. So I’m not sure it’s the right time to rest,” White said.
Hope Lambie continues the recovery well but also that he is not rushed back, guess the doctors are not really sure with the kind of injury that he picked up how long it takes to heal. First he was going to be out up to 6 weeks then 6 months and now he could be back sooner than 6 months. Sharks doing well with all the players out injured as listed in the article, especially being without top two flyhalves.
Four players out with hamstring injury, that can’t be coincidence is there something wrong with their conditioning, or the warm ups they do, or in the case of Chavanga and Jordaan were they maybe not 100 percent ready to play after their injuries in the first place?
As a Sharks supporter this is good news indeed, the Sharks have a seriously injury problem at the moment and even the back-up is wearing thin, there is a reason a player like Lambie is the first choice fly-half and someone like Swiel is 3rd choice, and the same for every position
the injury list is as follows:
PSTD and Anton Bresler – 1st choice Lock pair
Pat Lambie and Fred Zeilinga – 1st and 2nd choice flyhlaves
Odwa Ndugane, JPP and Tonderai Chavhanga – 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice wings
Cobus Reinach – 1st choice scrumhalf
Tera Mtembu – back-up loose forward
Paul Jordaan – 1st choice 13 center
7 of those 10 players are of the starting 15 normaly and that’s 50%, Steyn seen in pain after every kick must surely be in danger of another injury as his knee gets extended after every kick?
Also the Sharks have a few more injuries not mentioned in the article to back up players in Tyler Fisher a outside center normally that JW is converting into a FB, Jacques Botes
Looking at that list for me it answers why I am not yet complaining of the Sharks lack of inter play and try scoring, when you have a new backline every week it is not good as players take time in understanding each others play.
Yes I know al teams go through injuries, but with the injuries we are still ontop.
A difficult juggling act for the coach trying to balance the team maintaining its top position and injuries, surely anyone who is in any doubt shouldn’t play this weekend. Perhaps its a case on capitalizing on home ground advantage and trying to get the points before heading overseas where the thinking may be that points could possibly be dropped anyway so that may be a chance then to rest any struggling players. Maybe White also has at the back of his mind that they will play the struggling Blues and Rebels on tour so that could be a chance to get players rested, or perhaps those will be the games to target for maximum points and possibly rest the players for the two tougher games, either of which they are not guaranteed a win anyway.
@ Bullscot:
Hi BS, these guys were all ready mate, these things happen, Fred Zeilinga tore a hammy as well as Jordaan at Ellis Park, was it the pitch? who knows
A lot of people are take pot shots at the Sharks etc re lack of this or that, but if one sits back and looks at the stats of all the teams? like the Chiefs loosing at home last weekend when away victories are very difficult to come by this season.
Does this mean I am saying Sharks are going to win anything? NO, but I also do not agree with all the negative comment aimed at JW or the Sharks team.
@ Bullscot:
Who knws BS, coaching is not as easy as many think, so much depends on injuries and planning which sometimes helps or back lashes.
Lambie will make a huge difference for them if he can return in time.
The danger for the Sharks IMO is that their key players, Bissie, Beast, Fransie and Alberts are not getting time off or being rotated.
We know that there is huge pressure on the franchise coaches to keep winning, as Stormers we have seen the same thing from AC with Jean and Duane for instances.
These mentioned players will also feature for the Boks during June, so it means non stop games for them. Looking at current injuries to all teams, it stands to reason that at some stage more injuries will be forthcoming.
If the Sharks lose Frans they are in huge trouble, he has been scoring the bulk of their points the last couple of rounds.
The Stormers seem to still pick up injuries, but have some key players also returning, and because we are so shit won’t be losing many to the Boks.
Who knows, we might even be semi competitive by the time we play the Sharks?
@ nortierd:
Hi Nortjied, who knows mate, so many things can happen, every game is a risk this is why having depth is so important, problem is even the depth can only be so much.
7 @ Sharks_forever:
Yes it makes it really hard Sharkie, didn’t realize how many injuries you guys had, so look at it this way too if you can keep up the winning then it may work out in your favour later in the season if they all back from injuries it can add to the depth at the ‘business end’ and then give the guys who are playing in week in and week out a breather.
Province have had their fair share of injuries, Lions now also being hit hard, Bulls had theirs, this is why I am damn happy we sit at the top taking the injuries into account. back up players are doing their bit,
Talking of injured Sharks players, think you have caught Ediniburgh for a sucker selling them two injured players in Dell and Bresler
Hopefully they will both get over their injuries soon and at least be up and running for next season.
11 @ Sharks_forever:
Is the fact that these back up players are doing well down to the input from previous seasons coaches and the game time they were given then or is it down to this years coaches input?
Actually it would be good to get an injury update of all the SA teams, this would show how good or bad the Bok situation is for later in the year.
@ Bullscot:
For sure BS, Swiel even though he did not have a great game last weekend is benefiting and can only get better as he gains experience, Zeilinga for example as least got in a CC season last year whilst Lambie was with the Boks.
Take a look at how JW has giving youngsters starts, like Tyler Fisher in the pre season friendly against Sarries, this builts players .
@S_L
You have great depth in certain key areas, eg fly half
With Demitri out, it means Grant will be 10 for us again, you at least have Zeilinga, Timo and Frans who could take over from Lambie.
Swiel will still find his feet and your outside backs will get to know him and play off him.
Remember that when he was part of that WP U/21 side that his backline players knew instinctively what he was planning as some of them played with him from school days. Once they get used to his breaks and they run support things will look better. His kicking, similar to Pollard last year in the CC, can be put down to nerves on the big stage, but for now you have Steyn who is kicking like a machine.
Your loose forwards and cover is the best in the tournament, so you are ok in that regard. If Beast or Bissie gets injured, or even Willem, no cover for them that is in the same class, likewise for Frans.
Another thing I’ve been thinking about after JPP also got injured, is whether the Japanese clubs in future will still be so accommodating to let there players assist and play SR as well.
Pottie and JPP must be big signings for those teams, so to see them out injured, in Pottie’s case seriously, must make them nervous and think twice in future?
@ nortierd:
Nor, I agree with you, Lock is more of a concern boet, at Prop we are actually very well served and have 6 very good props, if you take at LH we have, Beast, Chadwick ( getting better than he is being given credit for) and Thomas du Toit the under 19 sensation that is playing VC and being a beast himself, he weighs 125 KG and has skills like a back.
Then at TH we have Jannie, Adriaanse and arriving soon, Mat Stevens as backup and prop coach.
@ nortierd:
JPP is a bok and has a special agreement as does Kanko, Daniel for example is also headed to Japan but will not be back for SR
It seems more and more players will be leaving our shores anyhows as the political clowns voice their crap
14 @ Sharks_forever:
Read yesterday that Bulls Piet v Zyl will be out for two weeks with a knee injury, must be a mild injury (surely hope it is) as normally knee injuries keep one out for longer. Add to this the long term injuries early in the season to Arno Botha and Pierre Spies, and more recently to Deon Stegmann – that is pretty much us Bulls down to at least our 2nd choice loose trio. Akona Ndungane and Jurgens Visser are over the injuries so are available for next game.
Ruan Pienaar missed Ulster’s last game with injury having played for a while in their game before that with the injury, he also had a shoulder injury a month ago that meant he left the field during the match against the Scarlets, it is an AC joint injury that has flared up again – right shoulder and looking at the medical report on Ulster’s site two weeks ago he could still be out for at least another 4 weeks.
Rudi thanks boet for helping sought out one or 2 issues re the article, I see I have forgotten some things as to not having done an article for so long, much appreciated,
@S_F
Of course, the Shark players are back for SR, forgot.
Kanko at this stage is my pick for nr 8.
He is playing excellent rugby at the moment.
@ Bullscot:
Yeah I know, Bulls also hit hard at loose forward, like Stormers at Lock
@ nortierd:
Kanko has been ok, not great though, Vermeulen back so now we can see if he can regain previous form.
17 @ nortierd:
Ah yes nortierd when I was writing about Bulls loose trio injuries (#21) forgot about Dewald Potgieter but then he only came in later this season but still is a big blow to be missing him at the Bulls. He hasn’t had a chance at the Boks for ages anyway though so his injury is possibly not one to affect the Boks later as he would probably not have been selected for them.
@Bullscott 26
His injury, coupled with Steggies, is the biggest catalyst to the Bulls current form.
Huge blow to them.
Van Zyl, not sure that it is such a huge loss, he has not really had any impact at the Bulls.
27 @ nortierd:
Potgieter is a really good player was a pity he left in the first place, losing fetcher Stegmann was a big blow, in all the time that he has been at the Bulls/Blue Bulls don’t think any replacement for him during the various times he has been injured has matched his ability. Re van Zyl it is interesting that before he was picked as starting scrumhalf some folk were clamouring for his inclusion at the expense of Hougie, so often have seen folk calling for the next player to be played instead and then that player isn’t quite the messiah the folk thought they were either. Its very hard for players 9 to 15 to do well if forwards aren’t dominating especially the rucks.
@ nortierd:
@ 8
Assessment may not be accurate
It’s all just a show imo, SARU referees do most of the hard work for the Sharks, NONE of their forwards is a damaged good right now, while all the REST of the SA teams suffer various key injuries among their forwards, the only significant injuries the Sharks have so far are to Lambie, Reinach and Zelinga!
It means something?
😉
According to the NZ Herald the Sharks are:
2nd place in MISSED TACKLES!
Are only better than the Lions, the Stormers, the Cheetahs and the Bulls in rucks made, they are 5th from the BOTTOM in the competition!
Hardly the stats for a log leaders
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