GD asked:
Hi,
What do you make of John Plumtree''s decision to use Jordaan and Pietersen as his 12-13 pairing for the Super rugby final?
Is this the best combo available for the Sharks? Considering there''s Bosman-Pietersen, Lambie-Pietersen, Lambie-Jordaan and Bosman-Jordaan also available as options.
Thirdly, what are the odds of Plumtree rearranging his backline before the final? ( just as he did before the Stormers game)
GAVIN RICH answered:
You've sort of answered your own question when you ask what the odds are on Plumtree changing the combination before kick-off. I have a sneaky suspicion that this might be the intention, with Lambie probably starting at No12 and not Jordaan. On Jordaan's chances of doing well there if that is where he is selected, I can't really comment as I haven't seen him play there. He has played well at 13 but as a potential 12 he doesn't fill me with huge confidence.
solly balata asked:
why is that our 1st option is kick but that is the other teams last.stormers had a lot of ball but kick it for the sharks. i all so think the stomers coach time is up. we need someone who can win cups.
Gavin Rich answered:
Before Allister Coetzee came along the Stormers couldn't even make the semi-finals. In the last three years he has taken them to a top two finish every time. Bringing in someone new now will ruin the progress that has been made towards them becoming consistently competitive and if you look at the record - three home semi-finals - of Allister he is in fact by far the Stormers' most successful coach. As an aside, the Crusaders haven't won this comp now since 2008 and they have only made the final once since then. Does that mean their coaches are not up to it? You don't get the impression people think that of the Crusaders and yet their record since 2008 is inferior, in terms of home semi-finals secured, to that of the Stormers.
Jacques asked:
Hi Gavin
The sharks has been in this situation many times and couldn''t pull it through. Do you think perhaps things are a little different this time around? The vibe in the squad hasn''t been this positive in a long time.Does the sharks have enough fuel left in the tank?
Gavin Rich answered:
The vibe is there and the hunger too, and the Springboks and non-Springboks all seem to be on the same page, but I think you are right - there isn't any fuel left in the tank and they were out on their feet towards the end of both the Stormers and Reds games. I would like to think they can win but I honestly can't see it.
Tumelo asked:
Hi Guys,
1)Who do you think will win this and if the Sharks take this will the momentum go with the Boks come NC?
2)If you were to pick 30 players for the Boks come NC who would they be?
3)Since Lambie is seen to be a Fullback and with Michalack going back home,dont you think Elton will be a very good replacement with his expensive game and good defence
Gavin RIch answered:
Sharks would give the Boks momentum if they won but I can't see them doing it.
Peter asked:
Hi Brenden
Do you think playing Paul Jordaan out of position is a wise move? Now you have a young player plyaing out of position in his first super rugby final, it''s alot to take in , cannot experiment in a final.....
Brenden answered:
Peter, it is always a risk experimenting with guys in a final, but sometimes it does pay off. Sharks need to think outside the box in this one as they are up against it. Lets hope it does work.
Ismail asked:
Hi Gavin & Brenden. Whatever happens in the final, the Sharks have set a new bench mark w.r.t. travelling & playing winning rugby. With our ''Midas Madiba Magic'' that our South Africans have been doing globally, history is in the making!. Thanx for your time & please hold onto your seats - we are part of & witnessing historical sporting moments ... & long may these continue :)
Brenden answered:
Ismail, couldn't agree more, hope it continues!
leroy asked:
hi guys,
do you think that the sharks will play lambie at 12 instead of 15? Loudik is the inform 15 at the moment and deserves his place in the starting line up. maybe have lambie at 12 and pietersen at 13 to silence SBW with jordaan on the wing?
Gavin Rich answered:
I am in Cape Town and the Sharks are in Hamilton, which is so far away from me that it is below the horizon and that has prevented me from seeing what they are up to. They are also way too sleepy this week to want to sit up and take phone calls from the media. So I don't have any idea what they going to do at No12 tomorrow. It wouldn't surprise me though if the wearer of No12 is someone other than Jordaan, and Lambie would be my pick.
yash asked:
what is wynanad olivier doing in the boks setup , de jong is defntly the man 2 do the job. he adds his creactivity 2 the backline. and joe pietersen has alot more potential than zane kirchner at fullback.
Brenden answered:
Yash, Wynand had a very good Super Rugby season and is solid in defence. De Jongh has been good and that comes down to a coach's preference. Wynand is in Japan now so won't be selected this weekend anyway, and I expect Juan to be back in the squad. As for Zane, he is better under the high ball than Joe and is solid at the back.
Armand asked:
WHAT IN THE WORLD is going on at the Lions?? Our administrators are a bunch of idiots!! The can''t manage to keep a decent player, they managed to fire everyone responsible for some form of results in the past year or so and now it''s a matter of days before our captain (now ex) will be signing for a new franchise, because lets be honest the focusing on his personal game is a load of bull? They are driving a once well respected franchise into the floor!!!!!!
Brenden answered:
Armand, if we knew, we'd fix it...Personally they have made some very bad decisions there, and this hasn't helped matters. The guys at the top have to have a long, hard look at themselves it seems.
Edward Christiaan asked:
Gavin: why are so biased towards the SHARKS in your writing? Will it kill you to give them credit for what they have achieved?
Gavin Rich answered:
Hee hee, that is hilarious. You are joking? I continually get accused in the Cape of being too favourable to the Sharks and too much of a closet Sharks supporter... Some of the Sharks coaches are my closest friends in rugby so I can't imagine why I would be biased against them. If I don't think they are going to win that is just because it is my honest opinion.
Koos asked:
Hi Brendan,
Looking ahead to the CRC, I am particularly concerened about our predictability on attack. When overseas writers write about the boks they always start their article with "we know how the Boks are going to play". The problem mostly boils down to certain posisitions i.e scrummie and flyhalf, and the loose forward combination. Your thoughts on when all are fit Coetzee 6, Alberts 7, and SchalkB at 8, 9 Pienaar and 10 Goosen? With Schalk at 8 and Goosen at 10 im sure it may be a better option for the future?
Brenden answered:
Koos, hi, Goosen definitely is the man for the future, but my info is that Schalk is out for a long time, and may not be back for the CRC. To be honest, would rather play Alberts at 8, and Hougi at 9 - long term i feel he is more of a gamebreaker than Pienaar. Also dont rule out Steyn, he needs a break desperately but is not finished yet.
JOE PRETORIUS asked:
DO YOU THINK THE SHARKS CAN DO IT?
DO YOU THINK THE BEST TEAMS IS IN THE FINAL?
WHERE THE STORMERS OUT PLAYED BAY TALENT?
Gavin Rich answered:
Best current inform teams are in the final, not the most consistent. No, I don't think the Sharks will win. Yes, the Stormers were outplayed by talent (and experience where it matters most, namely at forward).
Grant Callaway asked:
A question for Gavin Rich:
Hi Gavin.
It seems that a large number of readers have noted that you very rarely give the Sharks fair credit for their performances. Wherever there is a hint of a compliment, it is mitigated by a comment about their opposition short-comings.
Is it actually your belief that the Sharks'' achievements have been more about opponent failures than their own dominance?
From what I can see, with the Sharks'' front-row being rock-solid in the scrums, and with their loose forwards relentlessly punnelling the fringes... and with the resolute defense on display during times of low possession, their gameplan and determination is what''s got them to the final (against all odds).
1) What is your real opinion about the Sharks?
2) Do you think that the Sharks'' gameplan would suit the Sprinboks?
Gavin Rich answered:
1. If I haven't already given my real opinion about the Sharks then I shouldn't be doing this job.
2. Yes, the Sharks' gameplan would suit the Springboks, but then they would quite obviously have to choose a new flyhalf... Seriously, Michalak's decision making has much to do with their current success. Fortunately Lambie should be able to do that when Michalak has gone. But then if the Boks are going to play the Sharks way, they have to choose Patrick now and not waste time about it.
Johann Bezuidenhout asked:
Morning guys. Looking at the SA semi this past weekend, I don''t think it''s an advantage to have the week off before the semi. You are saved some bumps and bruises, but you play against a motivated team who has just won a do-or-die clash the previous week. Do you think a bye before the semi aids to hurts a team?
Gavin Rich answered:
It hasn't helped the Stormers these past two seasons but then I have heard Victor talk about the benefits of having a bye quite a few times on television these past few weeks and he has been there.
Lukas asked:
Hi mr G. Sharks beat the Stormers last week and comfortably outran the Reds the week before. Both were away games. The Chiefs did beat the Sharks earlier this year. I think the Sharks will take the final as they are much motivated to beat the Chiefs,wot do u thnk.
Gavin Rich answered:
Believe it or not, and despite what some of the other questioners who must have failed reading comprehension at school seem to think, I would love the Sharks to win. So I hope you are right. But I don't listen to my heart, I listen to my head, otherwise I would just be another fan. And my head says Chiefs will win. The travel is too much.
Michael Cloete asked:
Good day gents, following the great win by the Sharks last weekend. I was playing golf early Sunday morning and a comment was made that this is the same the team that lost the Currie Cup Final last year. What would you attribute the superb turn-around by the same team to get into this position?
Gavin Rich answered:
I wrote a piece earlier in the week titled "Sharks are special when they want it". When the players, particularly the Boks, are really motivated, that is when the Sharks cook. Last year's Currie Cup final was a week or two after the Sharks Springboks had just been blown out of the World Cup. The disappointment was stronger than the hunger, as was the case with the WP Boks who played the Lions in a semi-final. Also, you have to remember that the Lions had played together all year so they had continuity on their side in that game.
Darryl asked:
Do you think Heyneke Meyer will favor the bulls in the sprinkbok squad selection which is after the super rugby final?
Brenden answered:
Darryl, please stop believing the rubbish they say in the Cape. The last Bok squad had more Sharks in their starting line-up than Bulls. Period. I think Heyneke will pick players he believes can succeed at the top level and not on provincial bias
Johann asked:
Go Sharks!!!
My question is w.r.t. the top 3 spots on the log... Wouldn’t it make more sense to give the 3 conference winner a guaranteed top 6 finish? The change of the top Australian team not making the top 6 is slim, but to guarantee them home advantage in the play-offs when they don’t deserve it is just plain wrong.
Will SANZAR look at making this small change in there regulations?
Gavin Rich answered:
I don't like the current system at all, but I am not sure SANZAR will change it as Aussies have to be guaranteed one play-off game at least.
kyle Gilham asked:
Hi guys
Are you able to fill us in on the injury status of our various Bok contenders and the likelihood of them being available for the Bok squad for the Rugby Championships?
Obviously heard lots from WP about Burger and Vermulen - any comments from Heyneke on this though?
Goosen not gonna make it with him apparently being out until September but now I see Brussow won''t play in the Cheetahs clash with the Cardiff Blues this weekend due to injury whilst Basson''s on his way/just gotten back from New Zealand after his op - how long these two out for?
Plus how''s Coenie''s disc problem coming along and anyone else who might be in contention for selection...
Finally, do you know if Kanko, Olivier, etc. who are off to Japan are available for Bok selection or not?
Thanks,
Kyle
Gavin Rich answered:
I gather Brenden left this for me because he feels I might know more about Schalk and Duane. Duane will be ready in a few weeks, Schalk I am worried about. They keep saying he will be ready and then that knee of his plays up again. Goosen not going to make it, Coenie a couple of weeks from what I hear. Kanko is up for Bok selection but I am not sure about Wynand. I think it might depend on how much Heyneke wants a guy to play for him.
Skippy Louw asked:
Gavin,
The Cape Media made such a fuss about Peter Grant to replace Morne Steyn, but he flopped horribly in the semi-final. Do you think he is still the guy to replace Steyn or should Heyneke Meter continue with Steyn? I like Elton Jantjies to get a chance.
Brenden, do you think Meyer will drop Spies now that Duanne Vermeulen is fit again?
Brenden answered:
Skippy, hi, agree too much fuss is made of Grant. He is a good Super Rugby player who has his limitations. I would rest Morne for the first few weeks of the Rugby Championship - he desperately needs a break. But I wouldn't throw away the second highest points scorer in Super Rugby history as some would. I'd play Jantjies or Lambie against Argentina, and then bring Morne back for NZ. As for Spies, I would play Vermeulen or Kanko ahead of him.
Warren Bawden asked:
GR,have you ever considered trying to write an unbiased rugby article when it comes to your WP/Stormers team?
Gavin Rich answered:
First it was the Sharks I was supposed to be biased towards and now it is the Stormers... Which sort of proves the point I made in an earlier answer. As the late former great Afrikaans commentator Gerhard Viviers once said in reference to keeping people happy, "Wen kon jy nie". It's a bit like refereeing, and if you want to make everyone happy, you're on hiding to nothing. I think in all honesty fans bring their own fanaticism and own bias to the reading of an article and then interpret it according to that. But that is not my problem - I write it like I see it and there really wouldn't be any point to it otherwise...
Waldo asked:
Good morning Gentlemem. Ive noticed that the two teams that are playing in the final are the teams that have the best line break percentage, best offload in the tackle, use their forwards to dominate best, great at set piece and have two generals at flyhalf who can dictate a game with boot and their distribution of the ball. Our beloved Mr Pieter de Villiers reffered to it as "Total Rugby"... Would you think that Mr Meyer would''ve seen the light and try a similar approach in game plan or is it to risky for Interantional rugby? And also, please pick your respective forward and back playerS of the campaign, you may be as buyest as you like. Thankyou. Go Sharks!!
Brenden answered:
Waldo, I think the first thing is that Test rugby is a lot tighter and often doesnt allow for free-flowing rugby. Secondly, give HM a chance... he only had a few days with the team before they faced England, so we should start seeing his vision more here in the Rugby Champs.
John Muller asked:
Good Day Guys. What a Game for this Saturday Morning. Gonna Be GLUED to the TV. Think Jonah Lomu 1995 factor & then the SBW factor coming up. Great Players. Our guys need to tackle to treat SBW like our guys did Lomu in 95. But, it''s a 15 or 22 man team we are up against - Gotta keep the balance in perspective. It''s NOT an impossible dream - even Michael Phelps can lose. Go SHARKS & RSA
Brenden answered:
John, agree 100%. It will be tough, but attitude can carry them through
Wayne asked:
Hi Guys
If you could choose a 7''s team from all our players who would be in that team?
Brenden answered:
Wayne, tough to say, but would keep Cecil Afrika from the Current team as playmaker, and include say Brussow as hooker, JP Pietersen and Jean De Villiers up front, Hougi as halfback with Afrika, Juan de Jongh and Bjorn Basson/Lwazi Mvovo out wide...reserves - well there are too many to choose from.
Jason asked:
Hi Gavin
Will the sharks perhaps have a tough time tommorow under the wistle of Mr. Steve Welsh? He hasn''t really been kind to SA rugby in the past and tends to sometimes be very one side in his decisions.
Gavin Rich answered:
If anything I thought Steve Walsh favoured the Sharks in his whistling at the breakdown in the last minutes of the semi-final. Didn't JP come in from the side for that last clean-out? But I do go with your point that Steve has been problematic for the Sharks in the past and he, along with some crazy late substitutions, cost the Sharks the 2007 Super 14 trophy.
Avuyile asked:
Hey GR & BN. I just want to know: if Morne Steyn was getting picked for his virtually flawless goal-kicking, then why should he retain his place now? Johan Goosen is way more accurate and he kicks it longer. In addition, he''s not as one-dimensional as Morne - far from it.
Brenden answered:
Avuyile, Johan Goosen is injured and therefore can't be picked.
Yoni Bass asked:
Hi Guys
Thanks for taking time to answer.
My understanding is that Peter Grant''s contract with WP has expired now. Any news on if he will play super rugby next year? Or is it only Japan?
Gavin Rich answered:
I don't know if he has signed yet but my understanding is that he has signed for next year.
Adam Sack asked:
Hi
Any news on how the Sharks and WP have done in signing youngsters post U20 RWC and Craven Week. A lot of news time was given to the Bulls and their ability to throw money around, and buy loads of players, but not much on how the other two big unions did.
Some sort of draft system is needed. The system is weighted badly, and is abused.
Gavin Rich answered:
You may be right about draft system, or salary caps, if you want all the players capable of playing provincial rugby to be playing provincial rugby. But I don't think that will happen. WP have signed a few good youngsters but lost a few. I know of a few players the Sharks are interested in.
Daniel Linde asked:
Crazy that the Currie Cup starts next weekend... Your thoughts on the eventually winners? WP must start as favouritesl hopefully can break duck.
I can not fathom that a new competition starts so soon... Madness
Brenden answered:
Daniel, Eish havent even thought about it, but would say the Lions will have a number of players back and will be good, as will the Cheetahs. Teams who lose fewer boks will do better.
Yoni Bass asked:
Hi
Any news on if the Sharks will buy a flyhalf (as Michalak is leaving and Lambie should be with the Boks)?
Brenden answered:
Yoni, none that i know of, but the Sharks normally buy anything and Meyer Bosman can always fill in
Howard Newman asked:
Hi there. Im still absolutely gutted by the semifinal loss...but hey, that''s life. How do you think we (Stormers) can improve our try scoring ability next year, considering the fact that we already have great backs. Is it a coaching thing, or are we just too focused on defense? Thansks guys and good luck to the Sharks.
Gavin Rich answered:
There is a very strong focus on defence but I am not sure the Stormers would have done as well as they have done - finish top of the log - if it had not been for their defensive game. I spoke to Nick Mallett earlier today and he said that the flyhalf must just be given more licence to make decisions, something he doesn't believe there is enough of in our rugby and he reckons it is catching the whole of SA, not just the Stormers, short. He may be onto something because our best attacking team has a foreign flyhalf...
Gavin Kolz asked:
So the big question every one is asking is can the Sharks pull off the impossible? Well hopefully they will! There effort thus far shows that team work and will power remain important even in these commercial times in sport! Being a writer myself I look for moments like these that inspire, hoping it may inspire my beloved national team as well. Our mismanagement has cost us dearly and our rugby is in slight disarray! We have a league game every 2/3 weeks and we are simply, budgetless! Now finally the question! Should Namibia in light of the Sharks brave effort not leave the international scene for a while and work on its domestic league? All the expertise in the world cannot cultivate fighting spirit! In my opinion, we should set Namibian rugby(whatever it is?) alight in Namibia first! We should stop begging from the IRB and SARU for hand outs and start working! and Oh yes, Go Sharks!!!!!
Brenden answered:
Gavin, let's hope the Sharks can, and Namibia can do something as well. They've produced a lot of good players over the years.
Jenna van der Merwe asked:
In your honest opinion who do you think will win tomorrow and by how many points difference?
Brenden answered:
Jenna, Chiefs by 6 is what my head says...
Boeta asked:
DO you think brussouw has proven himself in the last couple of super rugby matches to prove to heyneke that he must be in the springbok team?
Brenden answered:
Boeta, I think the problem is more who to leave out. Brussow is a quality player, but he competes against Coetzee, Daniel and Kolisi for an openside position and may lose out on that.
Andrew Bladen asked:
In your opinion, who do you think will take the place kicking duty? Lambie or Michalak?
Brenden answered:
Andrew, hoping so but my mind says Chiefs by 6
Juan asked:
I am not woried about who will be playing in what posision, the Sharks has shown how versitile they are, I believe this just comes down to how big there heart and hunger''s going to be,
and if they want it as mutch as the supporters, they will win by 15
Brenden answered:
Juan, lets hope you're right!
Gareth asked:
Does anyone really belive that Gavin Rich is an objective journalist with any true understanding of the game of rugby? Anybody?
Gavin Rich answered:
Rugby? What's that?
Felix asked:
Helo gavin, how much better is the sharks scrum compared to the chiefs or do you think that will be even,if so i think it will be extremely difficult for the sharks?
Gavin Rich answered:
Sharks scrum better than the Chiefs but the Chiefs scrum is better than the Stormers. So the Sharks will have to be better this time than last time,and the Chiefs also have better attacking potential at the back. Well, I will rephrase that, the Chiefs have more recent proven attacking form than the Stormers backs.
bruce linkermann asked:
Considering the fact that in the current conference system no team plays every other team equally, would it not be justifiable to have a two week break between the semi-finals and the final in an effort to allow both teams to recuperate? Afetr all, it is advantageous enough for the chiefs to host the final, why cut off the sharks legs by making them travel half-way around the world a expect them to play a final on only 6 days rest. The spectacle, that final that is, is marred by the fact that the sharks won''t be able to showcase their talent due to fatigue caused by an ourageous schedule. A chiefs win will not validate their status as champions. SANZAR needs to look at the NFL model: they too have a conference system but the superbowl is played with a two week break to allow both teams to fully recuperate and be at their best for the biggest day in most of their sporting lives. Please submit my question...i would love to have an expert opinion. Much love for the sharks...best of luck
Brenden answered:
Bruce, would be nice, but then we'd have a competition that runs 10 months and we'd never get the Rugby Championship going.
Stephen asked:
Hi Guys, really enjoy your columns. @ Gavin; in today''s column you talked about the knock-out phase of the S15, and the what-ifs. The question I have is this; why should the S15 not be a league only - without the knock out phases. Nearly all other note worthy leagues (in footy and rugby)- are just that. And they are incredibily tense and entertaining affairs. Beyond the league stage it becomes extremely unfair for half the teams in the knock out phase, so much so as to to render the majority of these games pointless. A league is dynamic in itself and it rewards consistency. I fully realise that the current format is a money thing, pure and simple, but a league only championship would accurately produce the real champion. It would also reduce the incredible physical demands on the players as they hobble into the 4N, or whatever its now called.
Gavin Rich answered:
Thanks Stephen, I agree with you...but then maybe what they are trying to morph towards now, by calling the knock-out phase the Finals Series etc, is a separate knock-out competition after the league competition. I don't think the sponsors would buy into the idea of a league only.
JC asked:
Did the stormers peak too soon? As their performances lacked the same intensity as earlier in the season? Or do they just not have the BMT needed for knockout games?
Gavin Rich answered:
If you watch the Olympics you will notice how the top performers produce their personal best career performances at the Olympics, and often in the final itself. That is what the Stormers don't do. But as long as they are vulnerable in the scrumming area they will always be vulnerable in a knock-out game.
shaggy asked:
Gavin Rich,y is it that u just can''t find it in you 2compliment the SHARKS and then use the excuse of the other teams not playing well? Its the SHARKS who just always played better no matter what the other team thru at them. Can''t believe supersport actually still let you write articles. Get ur facts straigh the next time you write an article about any team.
Gavin Rich answered:
A very infantile line of questioning. As Mallett said on tv the other day when people were slamming him for his opinions, if you don't want to hear my opinion don't ask me... If you don't like what you read, don't read it. Simple.
Brett asked:
Hi Gavin/Brendan,
Do u agree that one of the key factors of the Boks having success in the upcoming championship is not to have Morne as the no 10 and that the Bulls style of rugby is outdated and has been replaced by a brand of NZ type rugby which exciting, fast off load rugby behind a strong pack and lastly what''s your call on this bok starting team: jannie, Bismarck, beast, Becker, eben, Alberts, marcel, Duane, Ruan, lambie, Brian, jean, Hougie, JP, frans steyn
Gavin Rich answered:
It all comes down to a question of forward dominance. When the Bulls were guaranteed forward dominance they were guaranteed success the way they played. I am not sure we can expect forward dominance in international rugby this year and that might require a bit of lateral thinking on Heyneke's part. I am watching with interest.
Mpumelelo asked:
Hi Brenden.
From your articles on SS.com I''m quite sure if you favour picking players for the national team based on form or experience, so please comment on that.
Following form that, would you agree that it would be best for the Boks if HM picked arguably the best loosie combination in SA Super Rugby (the Sharks'' Coetzee at 6, Daniel/Alberts at 7 & Kanko at 8) even if Burger and Spies are fit to play?
Brenden answered:
Mpumelelo, it is a difficult one for the coach, but i can see it happening against Argentina. Spies hasn't been good and Burger is injured. I wouldnt be surprised if it happens sooner rather than later.
Lelo asked:
Hi Gavin
Please comment on Keegan Daniel''s future in the Boks (considering the presence of guys like Vermeleun). I think he absolutely fantastic, even though he has no huge presence as a loosie, he''s still got such a great mind and he is absolutely lethal in front of a try line (his spinning out of tackles is amazing). I ask this because in the past he has been overlooked by PdV, but he did feature on the bench under HM.
Brenden answered:
Lelo, i reckon Keegan is one of those players who will always be just unlucky that there are others ahead of him. He competes with Marcel Coetzee and others for the openside berth and while he is quality, may just lose out because there is always someone better in the queue ahead of him.
Michael asked:
What do you think are the Southern Kings chances next year if they can play?
Brenden answered:
Michael, doubt they will play, but cant see them doing well in their first year with the current squad
Rex asked:
Gavin and Brendon, thanks for your Q&A, always look forward to it!
What is your thoughts on the rugby championship and our chance of winning, as I follow HM''s thoughts on size does matter. Really think we have the talent and depth to actually blow the competition away this year. I know it is extreme, but looking at availability, it is really a strong year for SAF.
Will be watching the Sharks tomorrow from our Club HRC in The Hague, Netherlands. Sharks by 12, or more, do you agree?
Gavin Rich answered:
Hee hee, I better not answer your question about Sharks chances because it will offend the crazies... On the question of The Rugby Championship, I think what counts against the Boks is the turn-over of experienced, top quality players since the RWC, and the fact they are just starting out under a new coach, whereas NZ (Hansen was Henry's right hand man) and Aus are more settled. I think Heyneke can mould a very good team, but I suspect it might take some time for them to become consistent.
Brett asked:
Hi guys,
Don''t u think Kanko could be a SBW type player if he was a center and not a forward?
Brenden answered:
Brett, not really, think SBW is special, and Kanko is more the free-ranging 8 than a backline player...although not saying he can't play there.
louis asked:
Do u think the stormers need some new coaching staff 2 get them pass the semies
Brenden answered:
Louis, geez thats a bit harsh. Perhaps a few tweaks is what is needed, that's all. Remember the Bulls lost two semis before winning in year three
JJ asked:
Hi guys...considering what''s been going on at The Lions Den over the past few weeks...doesn''t it seem logical to give the EP Kings a chance in the Super Rugby competition considering that their house might be in better order and therefore in all honesty can''t do any worst than the Lions...who are becoming somewhat of an embarresment to SA Rugby?
By the looks of things...The Kings might actually want to participate more than the Lions do!
Gavin Rich answered:
I agree the Lions are a concern but from what I hear the Kings might not be that sure they are ready for it either. Lots going on behind the scenes.
