[2015 Super Rugby] Sharks vs. Stormers (Round 18) 13/06/2015

[TRF_heineken]

Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban

19:10 CAT (SA, GMT+2)​

Teams

Sharks: 15. Lwazi Mvovo, 14. Odwa Ndungane, 13. JP Pietersen, 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 11. S'bura Sithole, 10. Lionel Cronje, 9. Stefan Ungerer, 8. Renaldo Bothma, 7. Willem Alberts, 6. Marcell Coetzee, 5. Marco Wentzel (captain), 4. Etienne Oosthuizen, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 1. Tendai Mtawarira

Substitutes: 16. Franco Marais, 17. Dale Chadwick, 18. Lourens Adriaanse, 19. Lubabalo Mtyanda, 20. Khaya Majola, 21. Conrad Hoffmann, 22. Fred Zeilinga, 23. Heimar Williams

Stormers: 15. Robert du Preez, 14. Johnny Kotze, 13. Huw Jones, 12. Jaco Taute, 11. Pat Howard, 10. Kurt Coleman, 9. Louis Schreuder, 8. Nizaam Carr (captain), 7. Michael Rhodes, 6. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5. Ruan Botha, 4. Jean Kleyn, 3. Vincent Koch, 2. Michael Willemse, 1. Oli Kebble

Substitutes: 16. Neil Rautenbach, 17. Ali Vermaak, 18. Wilco Louw, 19. Jan de Klerk, 20. Siya Kolisi, 21. Godlen Masimla, 22. Seabelo Senatla, 23. Kobus van Wyk

 

[SomeOke]

Very much a second string team obviously, with 14 changes from last week. No expectations one way or the other, we might be competitive, and we might get smashed.
More importantly what do we reckon our chances are in the playoffs.

It seems likely that our play-off round will look like:

Brumbies (at home)
Warratahs (Away)
Canes (Away)

The only other permutations involve the swapping of Brumbies and Tahs (Tahs at home and then Brumbies away) or playing one of the other scary NZ teams (Highlanders/Chiefs) at home in the finals.

Since we've already beaten the Warratahs away, it's actually not as bad as it looks. All three NZ sides have had better seasons though so I wouldn't back us to win, but an appearance in the final wouldn't be completely shocking. If the Highlanders or Chiefs do us a favour and beat the Canes in the semi's we even get a home final.
Most likely we'll lose away in the semi, but fingers crossed.

I also may have gotten this a little wrong. As far as I know the semi works like this: The number 1 team, plays the lowest ranked team remaining, and the number 2 spot plays the other team. Correct?

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

So we need back up at 10 and Rob du Preez finally gets a game but at 15. This is why its a good thing Toetie is leaving at the end f the season though I wish him all the best for the play offs and therafter. I share Someokes feelings. I think it actually makes us more dangerous; the fact that we are probably rank outsiders.

 

[SomeOke]

Yeah, I had high hopes for coleman at the beginning of the season but as much as id like a fly half who can do more than kick. You wont win any competitions with a fly half who cant kick at all, Rob du preez the next hope, I did watch him in u20s but haven't seen him since, I also heard leyds wants to play at 10, and heard a rumor goosen may come to province. So we basically have a few options, just no good ones.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Yeah, I had high hopes for coleman at the beginning of the season but as much as id like a fly half who can do more than kick. You wont win any competitions with a fly half who cant kick at all, Rob du preez the next hope, I did watch him in u20s but haven't seen him since, I also heard leyds wants to play at 10, and heard a rumor goosen may come to province. So we basically have a few options, just no good ones.

I can't understand why wasn't Dyllan Leyds not tried at least once at fly half.

He can kick and run, and if he's not so good at kicking at goal, then Nic Groom can do that. Didn't he kick at goal for the stormers a few seasons ago when you guys had that problem at flyhalf?

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Leyds' main issue at pivot is his passing game or rather lack thereof is what I have heard but that is heresay and if it were up to me I'd love for him and Du Preez to BOTH get extended time at 10 in the Currie Cup this year. Both certainly are good options if only because Goosen coming to the Cape has yet to be confirmed and we all know how injury prone he is.

That said he was thrust into senior rugby too readily and if there is a franchize in SA that manages returns from injuries poorly its the Cheetahs. I'm hoping him maturing and good conditioning will see him live up to his potential because he has that in bags.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Leyds' main issue at pivot is his passing game or rather lack thereof is what I have heard but that is heresay and if it were up to me I'd love for him and Du Preez to BOTH get extended time at 10 in the Currie Cup this year. Both certainly are good options if only because Goosen coming to the Cape has yet to be confirmed and we all know how injury prone he is.

That said he was thrust into senior rugby too readily and if there is a franchize in SA that manages returns from injuries poorly its the Cheetahs. I'm hoping him maturing and good conditioning will see him live up to his potential because he has that in bags.

But what does that say to your already flock of up and coming fly halves?? Which you have a lot of...

I don't get why WP is interested in buying Goosen, or Marcel Coetzee...

Fly half and flankers are the 2 positions you always have ample guys to make the step up, just look at Notshe for example. He's behind Schalla, Carr and Kolisi and to a certain extent Rhodes, but when he came on he was absolute dynamite!

 

[Amobokoboko]

I reckon the Stormers will break the Sharks

 

[SomeOke]

I reckon the Stormers will break the Sharks

Haha doubt it with this team but you never know.

Interesting article: http://www.supersport.com/rugby/super-rugby/news/150610/Stormers_seek_Kiwi_influence_as_first_prize
Personally I'd be happy with Plumtree but I feel John Mitchel makes a good point when he says if they keep all the support staff you can't fully create a new culture. For instance if we get in Plumtree do we have to keep Robbie Fleck?