No More Mr Nice Guy For Plumtree
John Smit argues a yellow card against the Waratahs
Sharks head coach John Plumtree says he will suspend his players if they are yellow-carded in future Super 14 games.
Plumtree was reflecting on his team’s 25-21 loss to the Waratahs in Sydney when two Sharks players, prop Jannie du Plessis and flyhalf Andy Goode, were sin-binned in the first half. The Sharks have now had five players yellow-carded in four games and Plumtree said this was unacceptable.
“I was very annoyed with our discipline and have been for a while,” Plumtree told the Sharks website. “I read the riot act to the guys in our post-match analysis on Monday night.”
Plumtree said he would take action against players who are sin-binned in the future.
“I told the guys that the next player to get a yellow card gets a red card from me. When you are down on your luck, and trying really hard to get out of a hole, you can’t then make it tougher for the team by getting yourself binned. It is just silly and stresses the team unnecessarily.
“This has been creeping into our game now for a while and it has to stop right now. We were always a side that prided itself on discipline both on and off the field.”
The Sharks meet the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday and then head back across the Tasman ea to New Zealand to play the Hurricanes and Highlanders in their last two tour games.
Plumtree admitted “the big decisions” that had gone against the Sharks in the final three minutes – the knock-down of Stefan Terblanche’s pass and the penalty for lineout obstruction – had “seriously cost us”
“Everybody has been talking about the slap-down of Stefan’s pass to Ryan which would have been a try but for that act of cynical play from Kurtley Beale. There was also a pass to Bismarck du Plessis that was called forward which on analysis was shown to be legitimate and again we would have scored.”
He added that there are decisions in rugby that can be controlled, like discipline, and others that are beyond the players” control.
“We have to move on from decisions that don’t go their way and which crop up every now and again and are a part of the game. It happens and we are not focusing on it in our post-match analysis.”
From the playing point of view he said there were signs that the Sharks were starting to improve but they were still not accurate enough.
“If you can keep hold of the ball and remain accurate with it, enough to take advantage of the quicker ruck ball, you can really put the opposition under immense pressure and eventually tire them out.”
He was also encouraged by the character in the team which had seen the Sharks fight back from 25-14 down against the Waratahs to almost win the game.
“We will just carry on fighting until we get that first win and hopefully then get on a roll.”
Courtesy of The Witness
Should John Plumtree Get The Boot?
Sharks Coach, John Plumtree
Plumtree has been the subject of much speculation since his Durban-based Sharks side started the new Super 14 rugby season with three straight defeats.
They were narrowly beaten in their first two home matches, by the Chiefs and Cheetahs respectively, and they were then thumped 35-6 by the Crusaders in Christchurch last weekend to start their long Australasian tour.
That led to suggestions from some that New Zealander Plumtree faced dismissal unless he turned things round dramatically on their five-week tour.
There was even talk of a private meeting and finger-wagging lecture from Sharks chief executive Brian van Zyl to that effect.
The Sharks, however, have acted quickly to dispel the rumours and not only assure Plumtree of his job security, but also wave a fat new three-year contract under his nose.
Plumtree, a former Wellington NPC coach, had reportedly showed some interest in the previously vacant Hurricanes job, but then withdrew himself from that race to concentrate on his role with the Sharks.
Pietermaritzburg newspaper The Witness reported that Van Zyl had fully endorsed Plumtree and strongly denied any suggestion that the highly rated coach might be facing the axe should his side’s poor run of results continue.
“The Sharks board have agreed to extend the contract by three years and we would not have done that if we did not have every faith in him as a coach,” Van Zyl told the paper.
“Plum only has to agree to the terms now but we obviously want him to stay. A good coach does not become a bad coach overnight.”
Plumtree’s wife is from Durban and he has a long association with Sharks rugby, having ended his playing days with the province in the Currie Cup.
The Sharks meet the NSW Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday night, before continuing their road trip against the ACT Brumbies, Highlanders and Hurricanes.
And though Plumtree may now have some security around his future at the organisation, he still faces a massive challenge turning this season around after their horror start.
Courtesy of stuff.co.nz
HAVE YOUR SAY: Should Plumtree get the sack for the Sharks bad performance?
Bath Insist That Butch James Will Stay
Bath insist that Butch James is staying at the Recreation Ground despite the fly-half’s desire to resurrect his Test career with the Springboks ahead of the 2011 World Cup.
James, whose club contract has another two years to run, is wanted by the Natal Sharks but has been advised by Bath he will not be released early.
“He’s a Bath player and we want him to stay here,” said Nick Blofeld, the club’s chief executive, confirming the Sharks had expressed an interest in re-signing the 31-year-old. “He has said he would like to play for South Africa again and we would, of course, love to see him do that. But we believe he can do so from Bath, having done so in the past.”
James, suffering from a shoulder injury sustained against Worcester last month, joined Bath following the 2007 World Cup having played a key role in South Africa’s success.
His return from a long-term knee injury prompted a sharp improvement in Bath’s form and the coach, Martin Haag, is among those keen to retain him: “He’s instrumental to us and he’s not going anywhere.”
With thanks to the Guardian.co.uk
S14 Fantasy League: Round 4
With the Bulls and the Western Force each having byes this week, it’s time to start being strategic with your fantasy league.
The on-fire Chiefs get another boost this week, with the return of fullback Mils Muliaina and Lelia Masaga – their addition to a backline that already includes Richard Kahui and Sitiveni Sivivatu makes them a potent force indeed.
Good news for Stormers’ fans is the return of Schalk Burger, while for the Crusaders – who take on their arch-rivals the Blues this week – another fetcher flank Richie McCaw makes his first full start of the season. He will also take over the captaincy duties from Kieran Read.
Trickiest part of the week for most fantasy league players will be deciding what to do with their traded Bulls – especially kicker Morne Steyn. The Bulls flyhalf is the second most-popular pick on the fantasy league standings, and the most popular kicker.
Potential replacements include the Crusaders’ Dan Carter, who this week goes up against his mate and former teammate Stephen Brett; Stephen Donald, who’s been raking up the points with the high-flying Chiefs; the Reds’ Quade Cooper, who despite a car accident this week is in the team’s starting line-up; and Joe Pietersen from the Stormers, who despite that crucial miss last weekend, has still knocked over a number of penalties and conversions.
Chiefs vs Reds – Friday 5 March 8:35am
Chiefs: 15 Mils Muliaina (captain), 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Colin Bourke, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Culum Retallick, 4 Romana Graham, 3 Nathan White, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Sona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 Toby Smith, 18 Jarrad Hoeata, 19 Luke Braid, 20 Junior Poluleuligaga, 21 Mike Delany, 22 Dwayne Sweeney.
Reds: 15 Luke Morahan, 14 Will Chambers, 13 Morgan Turinui, 12 Anthony Faingaa, 11 Brando Va’aulu, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia (captain), 8 Leroy Houston, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Van Humphries, 4 Adam Byrnes, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Ben Daley.
Replacements: 16 Sean Hardman, 17 Greg Holmes, 18 Robert Simmons, 19 Jake Schatz, 20 Ben Lucas, 21 Ben Tapuai, 22 Blair Connor
Brumbies vs Lions – Friday 5 March, 10:40am
Brumbies: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Pat McCabe, 13 Stirling Mortlock, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Francis Fainifo, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Stephen Hoiles (captain), 7 George Smith, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Ben Hand, 3 Salesi Ma’afu, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Alexander.
Replacements: 16 Huia Edmonds, 17 Guy Shepherdson, 18 Justin Harrison, 19 Mitchell Chapman, 20 Patrick Phibbs, 21 Matt Toomua, 22 Tyrone Smith.
Lions: 15 Michael Killian, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Walter Venter, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Dusty Noble, 10 Burton Francis, 9 JP Joubert, 8 Todd Clever, 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (captain), 5 Willem Stoltz, 4 George Earl, 3 Kevin Buys, 2 Charles Emslie, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Hannes Franklin, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Franco van der Merwe, 19 Jacques Lombaard/Robert Kruger, 20 Jacques Coetzee, 21 Carlos Spencer/Wandile Mjekevu, 22 Earl Rose.
Crusaders vs Blues – Saturday 6 March, 08:35am
Crusaders: 15 Jared Payne, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robert Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis; 8 Kieran Read, 7 George Whitelock, 6 Richie McCaw (capt), 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ti’i Paulo, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Reserves: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Peter Borlase, 18 Isaac Ross, 19 Jonathan Poff, 20 Kahn Fotuali’i, 21 Adam Whitelock, 22 Colin Slade.
Blues: 15 Paul Williams, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Viliami Ma’afu, 7 Serge Lilo, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Anthony Boric, 4 Kurtis Haiu, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (captain), 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Charlie Faumuina, 18 Filo Paulo, 19 Tom Chamberlain, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 22 George Pisi.
Waratahs vs Sharks – Saturday 6 March, 10:40am
Waratahs: 15 Sosene Anesi, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Tom Carter, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Daniel Halangahu, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Phil Waugh (captain), 6 Dave Dennis, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Damien Fitzpatrick, 17 Sekope Kepu, 18 Will Caldwell, 19 Ben Mowen, 20 Josh Holmes, 21 Kurtley Beale, 22 Rob Horne.
Sharks: 15 Stefan Terblanche, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Adrian Jacobs, 12 Riaan Swanepoel, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Andrew Goode, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Keegan Daniel, 5 Johann Muller, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 John Smit (captain), 1 Deon Carstens.
Replacements: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Jacques Botes, 21 Rory Kockott, 22 Waylon Murray.
Stormer vs Highlanders – Saturday 6 March, 5:05pm
Stormers: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Juan de Jongh, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Schalk Burger (captain), 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Anton van Zyl, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Wicus Blaauw.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 JC Kritzinger, 18 De Kock Steenkamp, 19 Pieter Louw, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Lionel Cronjé, 22 Sireli Naqelevuki.
Highlanders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith 13 Kendrick Lynn, 12 Jason Shoemark, 11 Fetu’u Vainikolo, 10 Michael Hobbs, 9 Jimmy Cowan (capt); 8 Adam Thomson, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 John Hardie, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Clint Newland, 2 Jason Rutledge, 1 Jamie Mackintosh.
Reserves: 16 Jason Macdonald, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Hayden Triggs, 19 Tim Boys, 20 Sean Romans, 21 Matt Berquist, 22 James Paterson.
Cheetahs vs Hurricanes – Saturday 6 March, 7:10pm
Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Naas Olivier, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Frans Viljoen, 7 Juan Smith (c), 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Waltie Vermeulen, 4 Nico Breedt, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 David de Villiers, 19 Kabamba Floors, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Riaan Viljoen, 22 Danwel Demas.
Hurricanes TBC
So Far So Good For Rugby Changes
The Reds changed their strategy for the Crusaders.
Everyone, it seems, has a view about the new law “interpretations” in rugby, and maybe it’s time for some healthy perspective on a change in emphasis that is producing positive results on the field.
Despite what critics say, it’s increasingly obvious that the Super 14 is heading in the right direction.
There is less kicking for position, more counter-attacking, fewer penalties, the ball is in play for longer and we’re seeing a more free-flowing game.
And, let’s face it, we’re still in the middle of the bedding-in period.
From what I’ve seen so far, we’re well on the road to a better game of rugby. The anecdotal evidence tells you it’s getting better each week.
Although people refer to new “interpretations”, the reality is it’s just the laws being applied correctly.
Players are being ruled more strictly in terms of staying onside on the kick-chase and, as a result, we’re seeing sides more willing to counter-attack and having the space do so.
This appears to have reduced the amount of aerial “ping-pong” that had become a blight on the game by the end of last year.
The scrum engagement has also seen a big improvement.
There is more consistency from refs – some are still too quick – but completion rates are up significantly.
Of course, the main focus has been the contentious tackle ball. The chief effect of the tighter rulings is less kicking as sides are more willing to chance their arms because they’ve got a much better chance of retaining possession. That’s a huge positive.
Not that it’s all being loaded in favour of attacking teams.
Notwithstanding that bizarre game in Jo’burg last week, well-organised defences are still able to exert an influence. And tries were up by only a couple on last year through the first few rounds. But we are getting a better game, the ball’s in play more, and we’re seeing sides able to keep hold of the ball and build pressure.
There are still plenty of penalties at the breakdown, but I reckon it will settle down with acknowledgement the second defender in needs to get a fair go.
We shouldn’t forget referees need time to adjust as well. At the moment they’re ruling it pretty harsh and there’s a tendency to blow quickly. But it’s a tough area, refs have got only a split-second to react and, like players, they make mistakes.
So what’s next?
Teams are already adjusting. Last year tacklers would try to get the ball-carrier on the ground and turn him. You do that now you get penalised. So tacklers are staying on their feet and keeping the ball-carrier up, so they’re not falling the “wrong way”.
Also tacklers, even when on the “right side”, often don’t attack the ball, but stay strong over it, exposing it for the next player arriving to have a crack at, or even blow over.
We’re also seeing a real change in some kicking games. The Crusaders last week employed a standard approach and got hurt on the counter-attack. With counter-attack fashionable again, the long kick can be a risky proposition.
The Reds kicked differently: they moved wide and kicked into space where they could compete for the ball.
In terms of the quality of rugby, you’ll always get exceptions but I feel we’re moving away from the mediocrity that has been too common in the past few years.
Courtesy of stuff.co.nz
HAVE YOUR SAY: Do you agree?
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