THE Sharks V Crusaders!!

[JJR]

SHARKS TEAM V CRUSADERS

The only change to the team is that of Jacques-Louis Potgieter who is playing in the flyhalf position in place of the injured Lambie.
The big changes are all on the bench where Eugene van Staden, Gerhard Mostert and JP Pietersen all return from injury.
The coach has opted to only fly over the 22 man starting line up as he can fly in any late replacement on short notice.
The team:
1. John Smit (Capt)
2. Bismarck du Plessis
3. Jannie du Plessis
4. Steven Sykes
5. Alistair Hargreaves
6. Keegan Daniel
7. Willem Alberts
8. Ryan Kankowski
9. Charl McLeod
10. Jacques-Louis Potgieter
11. Lwazi Mvovo
12. Meyer Bosman
13. Stefan Terblanche
14. Odwa Ndungane
15. Louis Ludik
Replacements
16. Eugene van Staden
17. Tendai Mtawarira
18. Gerhard Mostert
19. Jacques Botes
20. Conrad Hoffmann
21. Adrian Jacobs
22. JP Pietersen

 

[markshaw]

Hope to hear the thoughts from the English guys here on Robbie Fruean when you see him play, might get a better perspective from being at the game

 

[Draggs]

Glad to see JP back!
Shame about Lambie, but I don't think JLP will let us down, and will make the most of this chance.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Actually, Draggs was talking about this moment 2 weeks ago... I told him in a season with 16 matches in 4 months, there will always be injuries so every player will get a chance to start. Now it's JLP's chance!

Too bad Smit get's a chance to grant the Crusaders at least 2 tries...

 

[SavageLez]

I think both teams are pretty well matched but Crusaders have match winners in Carter and SBW. SBW has the best offload in the tackle and bloody lethal.
I reckon the Sharks forwards are stronger than the Crusaders but their backline is a little weak.

If the weather holds up I would say Crusaders by no less than 12. If conditions are bad it is going to be a toughy!

 

[SavageLez]

I believe Lambie is out for 3 weeks and if the Sharks lose on SUN they suddenly face a possible 3rd loss in a row when they return to SA to play the Stormers.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Hope to hear the thoughts from the English guys here on Robbie Fruean when you see him play, might get a better perspective from being at the game

I so wish I could go, just for this
Fruean is my favourite player in SupeRugby

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

See... I thought I was smelling something. McLez is back, oh my god!

You do know we get the Stormers at home right?

 

[SavageLez]

Ezequiel - the insults have not stopped either I see.

 

[SavageLez]

Let's be realistic. Sharks are playing at home but without Lambie. Remember Sharks 5 losses in a row in last years S14 without him. Lambie makes the Sharks team and it is no coincidence that the Sharks start winning. He is a brilliant player and with the "Great" Sharks forwards Sharks are almost unstoppable. Lambie's skill does hide a few passengers in the Sharks backline. It will be interesting to see if JLP can keep doing what Lambie has been doing up until now.

 

[SavageLez]

Another thing, it is a very long season. Why the hell did the Sharks allow Rory Kockot to go to Lions. If Charl McCleod get's injured the Sharks don't have much depth. Conrad Hoffman was only 3rd choice scrummie at the Stormers!

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Lambie is not that amazing. He is a good fly-half and very talented but JLP is not any less than Lambie at the moment. Last year the Sharks lost but that wasn't because of them missing Lambie. Lambie only started to really shine in the Currie Cup last year.

 

[SavageLez]

"Lambie is not that amazing. He is a good fly-half and very talented but JLP is not any less than Lambie at the moment"

JLP has not done anything recently so you can't say he is no less than Lambie. Of course he is. I hope for his sake that he comes off and he will be itching to prove a point.

We will have to wait and see what happens. I still believe conditions will play an important role in the result.
Sharks better hope for rain coz SBW is a freak while setting up tries!

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Well, he hasn't had a chance in the starting XV yet. We will see on sunday. Not everything depends on a fly half

 

[Shaggy]

Steve Walsh to ref the game

 

[Teh Mite]

So much for a good game of rugby.

 

[Shaggy]

So much for a good game of rugby.

Yeah, are well, hopefully the Crusaders and the Sharks will have more influence on how the game's played, and not the Ref

 

[Seaton]

Too bad Smit get's a chance to grant the Crusaders at least 2 tries...

As a matter of interest, what did you think of Smit's scrumming last week?

Personally, the forward who's workrate I have been most dissapointed with this season is Beast, when he has come on you hear his name just about as much as Smits in the loose play


Steve Walsh... well, at least I have had a little bit of luck with in the past few months, and his neccessant blowing might disrupt the Crusaders fluidity

 

[JJR]

Why everyone so on about lambie being out...he has been amazing for The Sharks because he does not make many errors; but JLP can be even more of a gamebreaker than patty. JLP kicks futher than lambie, plus is also a better runner than Lambie in terms of pace...did play 13 for Bulls last year for a few games; and he has also won many games for Cheetahs with his last 20 minute drop goals...it is all the question weather he can do ut on the day...he is a bit on and off; but rugby is won in the forwards and i feel The Sharks have a very strong pack. Crusaders also have good pack, but not quite as strong...weak link for me is Cory, whitelock (6) and Todd, yes they have their moments, but they are not super consistent. Whitehead the looseforward really struggles against the physical SA sides and Crusaders will be banking on SBW for some go forward ball. I have looked at all the aspects and i truly believe The Sharks will win it.

Prediction:

The Crusaders are going to experience pressure that they have not had yet this season, and i would beat that Ellis is going to have Mcloed and Keegan Daniel all over his back all day and this will effect the dangerous backs of the Crusaders. The winning aspect for the Sharks will be putting presure on Crusaders, eg. Good ball retention and a strong maul and a organised rush defence. The Sharks are gonna take the win. Will take a hugely commited effort though.

 

[JJR]

Also Steve walsh can either work for a team or agianst it...he seems to be a bit one sided...i am hoping he will be blowing Sharks way on Sunday...the key is ball retention and discipline at the rucks. Walsh also makes dodgy calls come scrum time...if he tartgets one guy in the front row i suggest take him off, cause he keeps blowing against same prop all day one he selects his victim...i think the victim will be Franks.