I have been supporting the Sharks for over 20 years. I love that club no matter all the shit of the past. They say that one must learn from past made mistakes, a lesson all of us will eventually come to grip with in our lives. It just feels that this will cost us at the Sharks.
The professional era has bought with it, it’s flaws. For one, now all of a sudden players tend to play much more rugby then in years gone by. Another important aspect is the fact that players then had a career outside rugby, now the only guy I know that has a profession is Dr Jannie Du Plessis. The most important is probably the way money can lure a player away from a club that made them for who and what they are today. In the past, the Sharks has produced some great talent, in the professional era, they have actually bought these youngsters from other unions, most of them from Bloemfontein. Then again, you can argue that no matter how many “probables” Grey College produce, they cannot keep everyone happy with a starting spot.
I want to take this time to look at a few players:
Brent Russell:
The pocket rocket as he was known was a young Cape Town laaitjie that came to the Sharks and not long later became a Bok. Who can forget that try against Australia where he wormed his way through a few defenders to score? He was versatile, like a Sevens Bok would be, Flyhalf, Centre, Wing, Fullback, he could play everywhere, and this was ultimately his downfall. The Springboks have the preconception that they will use Brute force to run over players, instead of actually being clever and attacking the gap. This didn’t help his case, for he was not the biggest of players, but what he lacked in size, he made up for with Blistering pace and a eye for a gap. He was used in lots of position for club and country, and this resulted in him moving to France where he has settled as a Wing.
Ruan Pienaar
The son of former Springbok Gysie Pienaar, Ruan has rugby running in his veins. Described as one of the most clever Springboks of the modern era by some, he started his career at the Sharks on Scrumhalf. That was until Eddie Jones mentioned to Jake White that he would make a greater Flyhalf. This didn’t help him, as the Union wanted to keep him on his preferred position. He was shunted around, made his debut for his country at Fullback and was used at Wing as well. Currently playing second fiddle in the National setup to someone that has not come near to filling the big boots of Fourie Du Preez. He moved away from the Durban franchise to pursue a career with Ulster in Ireland and has been instrumental in them reaching the Heineken Cup Final. Was also a nominee and strong candidate for European Player of the Year.
Frans Steyn:
I remember Steyn making his debut for the Sharks against WP in a very wet Currie Cup game. He played Flyhalf. During the next year, the Springboks and Sharks tried him on different positions, Flyhalf, Wing, Centre and Fullback. It was not until a injury ruled out Jean De Villiers in the 07 RWC, that Steyn got the nod as a 19 year old, winning the WC Medal, and putting himself in a very good position. He was used at Fullback in Super rugby, but not long after, he got tired of being moved around, and signed with Racing Metro in France where he played Centre. Bought back to SA and signed with the Sharks as a Centre.
The point I am making is one I have been making a long time. 1 Don’t shunt players around the back line, trying to justify a way to keep them in the team and 2 messed them around long enough and they leave. My attention will go to Patrick Lambie now. Pat can be used as we have seen, at Fullback where he started his career. Injury forced him to play Centre and he did well, and he now plays as a fly half. His attacking attributes make him a perfect candidate for the Springboks if they intend to defeat the All Blacks who will slaughter us if we intend to play the same skop en hoop we have been trying of late. And with him being shown the cold shoulder, this might just give him even more reason for leaving. That day is a day I will dread, because such a natural leader and player has not come out of Durban in a long time. The Springbok hierarchy needs to realize that talent like Lambie, Pienaar, Steyn etc does not come by every day.
Fans in South Africa will always have their own opinions on how a team should look especially when it comes down to Springbok Rugby. I have made peace with the fact that we cannot please everyone, but I have subjected myself to the fact that the Best Man for the Job should take the field. I am tired of being mediocre. People shunt and curse Peter de Villiers, but atleast we had someone that would defend his selections with diligence but also humor. What Heyneke is telling us everyweek will not hold up in the near future, instead he uses his chronies to do his job for him.
I can however promise you one thing though….if the day comes while Heyneke is still coach of the Springboks and Patrick Lambie decides to play in Europe…I will not support any decisions made, by Blue Tainted glasses. The public will soon catch on Mr Meyer, better give the players that deserve to play a chance..or else Springbok rugby will take a huge nose dive in the opposite direction.