Who Sharks backline would you select for 2012?

[psychic duck]

15. Lambie / Viljoen / Ludik
14. Ndungane / Sithole / Richards
13. Terblanche / Joubert
12. Bosman / Jacobs
11. Pietersen / Mvovo
11. Michalak / Potgieter
9. McLeod / Hoffmann / Cronjé


above is what I think the management will select

I think they will see Viljoen as utility back and not start him I'm afraid, he's been shifting all over the pitch for the Griquas as of late and I can see him being #21 for the Sharks next Super Rugby season

Ludik is now ridiculously third choice full back, I think some of those backs should move now, one of Ndungane or Mvovo should go to the Cheetahs or the Lions, also Richards or even Ludik should go as well

also is Terblanche going to keep playing in 2012? I haven't heard anything on his retirement yet

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

My fav. backline next season would be this:

15. Riaan Viljoen
14. Sbura Sithole
13. Marius Joubert
12. Patrick Lambie
11. JP Pietersen
10. Freddy Michalak
9: Ross Cronje


I think Terblanche will retire now and I seriously think Ndungane is set on a move to Europe.

Ludik and Bosman can play several positions so that's good! Also I hope Conrad Hoffmann has an amazing year next season. He deserves a chance in stead of Knock-on McLeod

 

[Seaton]

I think Plumtree might line-up like this

15. Riaan Viljoen/ Louis Ludik
14. Lwazi Mvovo
13. Marius Joubert
12. Patrick Lambie
11. JP Pietersen
10. Fredrick Michalak
9. Charl McLeod

We must remember that Viljoen was signed at a time when Ludik was still not performing as he was at the Lions, however his form has improved remarkably in the last few weeks, so Plumtree is being given food for thought in that I think he maybe lost a little bit of confidence in Ludik getting over his lack of form in attack (pretty much always been solid in defence)

As for scrum-half, well Hoffman was extremely laboured in getting the ball out of the ruck on Saturday, and constantly took his eye off the ball when it was clearly out of the ruck, which got picked up by the Cheetahs players. Hopefully Hoffman sorts this out and delivers quick, clean ball for the rest of the season, but at this stage I will still say early and middle stages of the S15 apart (which I won't just not consider, just nudging to a corner for now), McLeod has shown and offered more than Hoffman this season. Again hopefully Hoffman improves with more gametime, but I'm kinda hoping McLeod will be fit for this weekend. As for Ross Cronje, obviously like him but the coaches must still feel he has got a bit of development left to do, so we'll just have to wait and see on that front.

Personally, I'm hoping our full line-up looks something like (also considering whom I think Plum will go for) this next season.

15. Riaan Viljoen
14. Lwazi Mvovo
13. Marius Joubert (please find some semblance of form)
12. Patrick Lambie
11. JP Pietersen
10. Fredrick Michalak
9. Charl McLeod

8. Wilhem Alberts
7. Jean Deysel
6. Keegan Daniel (c)
5. Allistair Hargreaves
4. Anton Bresler
3. Jannie du Plessis
2. Bismarck du Plessis
1. Tendai Mtwarira

16. Craig Burden
17. Eugen van Staden (think he offers a little more in the loose than Herbst, but wouldn't be surprised if the latter was first choice back-up)
18. Ross Skeate
19. Ryan Kankowski
20. Ross Cronje
21. Meyer Bosman
22. Louis Ludik

Agh, might as well make some second stringers as well.

15. Gouws Prinsloo
14. Mark Richards
13. Piet Lindeque (whom I hope most especially will get a look in next season)
12. Paul Jordaan (might even see him as an outside centre option next season)
11. Sibusiso Sithole
10. Jacques-Louis Potgeiter
9. Conrad Hoffman

8. Marcell Coetzee (might even see him as bench loose cover, with Kanko going off the radar, however Kanko is a game breaker we might need in open games)
7. Lambert Groenewald
6. Jacques Botes
5. Jan-Andre Marais (had some good games this season, 4th choice lock)
4. Peet Marais
3. Wiehahn Herbst
2. Kyle Cooper
1. Dale Chadwick

16. Monde Hadebe
17. Juliun Redenlinghuis (don't have a clue how to spell it)
18. Karolis Navickas (Lithuanian born u21 player, already got a senior Russia cap, dissappointed he was not selected for the world cup)
19. Francois Kleinhans
20. Jacoubs Reinach
21. Fred Zeilinga (my impression is that earlier in the season, when their were doubts over half-back coverl eading up to a match, and Zeilinga was on standby whilst Guy Conje was fit, is an indication that Guy has missed the boat with the Sharks)
22. Odwa Ndungane


Last one I promise

15. Kobus de Kock
14. Jaco von Tonder
13. Heimar Williams
...
Just kidding.

Players whom I think have 'missed the boat', might be going overseas/ to other unions or look to be out of the loop atm.

Guy Cronje, Daniel Adongo, Wynand Pienaar, Kobus de Kock, Skoliwe Ndlovu, Luzuko Vulindlu, Sabelo Nhlapo and a few others who probably haven't been mentioned in the media before...

Sorry for the hijack

 

[Draggs]

I'd like to see this:
15 Riaan Viljoen
14 Lwazi Mvovo/Sibusisu Sithole
13 Marius Joubert
12 Meyer Bosman (Has had his moments in CC, I still hope he can make it)
11 JP Pietersen
10 Patrick Lambie
9 Ross Cronje

20 Conrad Hoffman
21 Frederic Michalak
22 Louis Ludik/Mark Richards

I am open on 10, 12 and 15. Ludik has been much improved lately, but too slow for 15 I feel. Lambie's position depends on Freddy's contract and Bosman's form. I think he would be best utilised at 10 (have I mentioned this???) and that he would be limited at 12.

Ndungane doesn't seem to fit in. He is too slow for a wing and we have natural fullbacks available. With Sithole and Richards developing well, I could see him going to Europe as well.

I seriously don't think Stef will be around for next years S15, but who knows?

If I can talk about the backrow for a minute, I think Coetzee will see some gametime next season, with Kankowski having a very specific role and Alberts being an impact player. I like Daniel at 8 during the CC but I think he is too small for an eight at the S15 level. Deysel is getting back to form after his injury layoff and will be first choice 7 come next season.

As I always say, watch it with the utility backs, we don't need any more leaving.

 

[psychic duck]

which teams are going to be signing Ndungane several weeks into the season though?

I also think Plumtree won't drop Ndungane from the matchday 22 as easily as some of the posts above have dismissed him

 

[Draggs]

I also think Plumtree won't drop Ndungane from the matchday 22 as easily as some of the posts above have dismissed him

Nor do I, but on recent form he does not merit selection. Mvovo, Sithole, and Richards have all put in good performances in the CC this year, and I can't see JP being dropped.
He will be a good player to have as backup but I don't think he will want to sit around waiting for injuries.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

He might be a full-back reserve with his good boot but again... he is 4th pick there as well after Viljoen, Ludik and Lambie

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I think the Sharks should lend either Viljoen or Ludik (and possibly one of your surplus wingers) to WP/Stormers and we'll send you either JdV or JdJ because lets face it, one of our Springbok centers will be sitting on the bench and so to some of your classy fullbacks while both of us have to make do with the Terblanches, Jantjes' (especially with the Bulls having niped Lionel Cronje from us as well) and Marius Jouberts of this world.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Well... Trading Odwa Ndungane for Juan de Jongh sounds great!!!!!!

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Well... Trading Odwa Ndungane for Juan de Jongh sounds great!!!!!!

I think the Sharks should lend either Viljoen or Ludik (and possibly one of your surplus wingers) to WP/Stormers and we'll send you either JdV or JdJ because lets face it, one of our Springbok centers will be sitting on the bench and so to some of your classy fullbacks while both of us have to make do with the Terblanches, Jantjes' (especially with the Bulls having niped Lionel Cronje from us as well) and Marius Jouberts of this world.

AND!!

Don't be cheap now; you know you guys can afford it.

Anyway, back to reality. Sharks have major depth but I feel still lack world quality at 9, 12 and 13. So you could either have 9 Michalak with Lambie at 10 or 10 Michalak with Lambie at 12 to get somone in at 9 or 12. I'd prefer the former as SA needs Lambie at 10 I feel.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Ludik + Ndungane for De Jongh??? I can live with that. Maybe Mvovo + Ndungane for De Jongh...

 

[Seaton]

If I mind right, Jean de Villiers has said that he wishes to end his rugby in the Cape, and isn't looking at going anywhere any time soon.

Whilst Jacques Fourie has also indicated he wishes to continue playing in SA.

Doubt any of WP's centres will come our way, not only because of their wishes, but also because of the young players currently coming through.

 

[Draggs]

Paul Jordaan seems to be one for the future.
Better keep him close of risk the Pretorians waving some money at him.
We could just go to the Cheetahs/Griquas and poach Barry Geel or Robert Ebersohn.

Saw the Stormers lost Lionel Cronje to the Bulls. How many outside halves do the Stormers have?? Grant, van Aswegen, Coleman, Catrakilis, Dollie. Maybe they can bring back de Waal if they need a few more.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Paul Jordaan seems to be one for the future.
Better keep him close of risk the Pretorians waving some money at him.
We could just go to the Cheetahs/Griquas and poach Barry Geel or Robert Ebersohn.

Saw the Stormers lost Lionel Cronje to the Bulls. How many outside halves do the Stormers have?? Grant, van Aswegen, Coleman, Catrakilis, Dollie. Maybe they can bring back de Waal if they need a few more.

We have too many flyhalves and no clear favorites which is a problem. I'd say between Grant, Catrakilis and Van Aswegen (as I rate them) the others shouldn't see any gametime in the S15 unless we have a repeat of our misfortunes at 10 of 2011.

Pity about Cronje; I would have liked to see him at 15 ahead of Jantjes seeing as we aren't looking at bringing someone in apparently. Guess Aplon and Brache can cover with JdV, Poolman or again brahce who can move to the wing. But that is already getting a bit 'iffy' with only 1 injury already. We have lost sooo many young backs players this season already; Sadie, Engelbrecht, Cronje and Bosch. Hope the buck stops there.

I doubt the Bulls will have a look in at Jordaan; between Venter and Sadie they already have 2 very good young prospects to play alongside Olivier and i'm sure promising Sadie gametime at center was part of the deal as we would probably have started him as well but on the wing to move in when Fourie and De Villiers move on/retire.

 

[Draggs]

Conrad Jantjes seemed to be a pretty good fullback before his injuries. I've not seen him really excel for WP lately.
Aplon isn't a fullback, simple as. Very good wing, but looks out of place at 15.

If you guys still had Sadie I'd offer you Ndungane. We will just have to take JdJ I suppose

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Who do we talk to? Let's do this.

 

[Sker]

Kgggg! Keep your grubby Shark hands off Cheetahs players!

 

[Draggs]

Kgggg! Keep your grubby Shark hands off Cheetahs players!

Hey! Viljoen was a Sharks schoolboy, one could say we are just getting him back.
We'll trade Terblance for Geel, how about that? Utility back, a real veteran for the backline!

 

[SelimNiai]

Great White as 12, Hammerhead at 13.

Not helpful I know.

Blame Cider

 

[Sker]

Nononono you can have Viljoen AND keep Terblanche, thankyouverymuch.