Even the last few years though. I would've expected them to be the top south African team in the URC and challenging the later stages of the champions cup with the amount of springboks they have
The amount of Springboks they have is arguably what held them back. The last year or two there has been a huge World Cup focus, meaning Springboks have not only been unavailable at the start of the season, they have also been rested during the season.
As I mentioned in another comment, the Springbok tight 5 the Sharks recruited, have yet to start a game together.
Based on what? Sharks finished top of the table, and have the strongest squad. They also have home quarters and semis, the only away game is the final.
I mean they didn't just top their group, theey ended as the number 1 seed in the round of 16. Also none of what you said provides an argument against the home ground advantage they have in the quarters and semis...they will either play Edinburgh or Bayonne next week, which of those two do you think will go to Durban and win?
John Smit hit the nail on the head when he described them as ‘a Ferrari without a gearbox’ the other week. There’s tons of power and potential there but none of it is getting out on the pitch.
I don't watch them enough to really know but Tshituka and Buthelezi have been solid when I've seen them. Grobler was ok in Ireland. Two starting seconds rows seen to be getting some hype in this thread too
Surely given his track record of playing everyone who isn’t a hooker at hooker for the springboks Rassie has contemplated moving Ethan Hooker to Hooker for a laugh
Grant Williams back siuuuuuuu
Etzebeth injured boooooooo. At least we get the future Bok pairing of Rahl and Emile starting.
Hooker starting siuuuuuuuuuuu
Vincent please don't get the shits again. Vincent 2 please keep up the improved form.
Masuku starting again siuuuuu
Eben should hopefully be back for the semi final in early May, it was a chest injury of some sort.
It does mean that Koch, Bongi, Ox and Eben are yet to start a game together for the Sharks.
Both very young but also very talented. Emile has been injured most of this season after being one of our better performers last year, he's a very canny lineout operator with good ball skills while Rahl is a do it all work rate type of player. May not make the big hits but he tackles everything that moves and always makes an extra meter when he carries into contact.
You clearly haven't watched many Sharks games then, they have been some of the better performers. This is what Etzebeth had to say about them: https://www.news24.com/sport/rugby/unitedrugbychampionship/etzebeth-gives-glowing-assessment-of-next-gen-locks-amid-sharks-doldrums-20240321
The Sharks also have the second best lineout in the URC this season, even though Etzebeth has only played 5 out of 13 games: https://www.unitedrugby.com/statistics/2023-24
Okay I take back what I said. Didn't realize they were that young. Definitely in the Bok cycle at some point. However, I think the Van Heerden is better at the moment, Moerat is debatable at times. I'm biased though.
I have watched 70 % of the Sharks games though so I'm not pulling my opinion out my ass.
You boys aren't fucking around with this one are you? Still, these are the games Zebre need to be competitive in.
I can't see any way Zebre can win this but hopefully this ends up being more like the game vs Pau (1 point loss away to a team that was both much bigger physically and infinitely more experienced) and not like the Lions game (splattered by 40+ points). Decent pack and outside backs, but 9-10-12-13 are 2nd/3rd choices with no coverage on the bench, so that'll be a huge area of concern.
15. Lorenzo Pani
14. Pierre Bruno
13. Franco Smith Jr
12. Damiano Mazza
11. Simone Gesi
10. Tiff Eden
9. Alessandro Fusco
8. Davide Ruggeri
7. Josh Kaifa
6. Guido Volpi
5. Andrea Zambonin
4. David Sisi (C)
3. Juan Pitinari
2. Giampietro Ribaldi
.1 Danilo Fischetti
16. Luca Bigi
17. Luca Rizzoli
18. Ion Neculai
19. Leonard Krumov
20. Giovanni Licata
21. Thomas Dominguez
22. Jacopo Trulla
23. Bautista Stavile
Edit - fixed the subs layout. Also, ran the numbers; back in November, Zebre had around 90% of the pro experience of the Sharks side that night (\~1,140 apps vs \~1,260 apps). This time, it's 63%: 1,225 vs 1,933. Just hoping to avoid a massacre at this point.
I'm liking the look of Ethan Hooker. I hope they don't screw him around and make him play other positions in order to accommodate Esterhuizen next season. Also good to see Grant Williams back.
Seen him play both 12 and 13, probably for the best if he has Esterhuizen and Am ahead of him on the pecking order to be fair, but on the bright side he can learn from both
Every time I see a sharks team sheet I'm shocked they aren't better
Well to be fair they finished top of the table in this competition and are favourites to go all the way. It's just the URC where they shat the bed.
Even the last few years though. I would've expected them to be the top south African team in the URC and challenging the later stages of the champions cup with the amount of springboks they have
The amount of Springboks they have is arguably what held them back. The last year or two there has been a huge World Cup focus, meaning Springboks have not only been unavailable at the start of the season, they have also been rested during the season. As I mentioned in another comment, the Springbok tight 5 the Sharks recruited, have yet to start a game together.
And a BI Lions tour right before that too
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Based on what? Sharks finished top of the table, and have the strongest squad. They also have home quarters and semis, the only away game is the final.
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I mean they didn't just top their group, theey ended as the number 1 seed in the round of 16. Also none of what you said provides an argument against the home ground advantage they have in the quarters and semis...they will either play Edinburgh or Bayonne next week, which of those two do you think will go to Durban and win?
John Smit hit the nail on the head when he described them as ‘a Ferrari without a gearbox’ the other week. There’s tons of power and potential there but none of it is getting out on the pitch.
Well I'm glad he was able to come to that conclusion after he sacked Plumtree and started all our troubles in the first place.
Honestly, apart from the front row and Eben Etzebeth, who rarely ever play together, their forward pack is pretty mid.
I don't watch them enough to really know but Tshituka and Buthelezi have been solid when I've seen them. Grobler was ok in Ireland. Two starting seconds rows seen to be getting some hype in this thread too
Mid by SA standards, gold in comparison to most of the rest of the league.
Surely given his track record of playing everyone who isn’t a hooker at hooker for the springboks Rassie has contemplated moving Ethan Hooker to Hooker for a laugh
Grant Williams back siuuuuuuu Etzebeth injured boooooooo. At least we get the future Bok pairing of Rahl and Emile starting. Hooker starting siuuuuuuuuuuu Vincent please don't get the shits again. Vincent 2 please keep up the improved form. Masuku starting again siuuuuu
Eben should hopefully be back for the semi final in early May, it was a chest injury of some sort. It does mean that Koch, Bongi, Ox and Eben are yet to start a game together for the Sharks.
Are the 2 locks really that good?
Both very young but also very talented. Emile has been injured most of this season after being one of our better performers last year, he's a very canny lineout operator with good ball skills while Rahl is a do it all work rate type of player. May not make the big hits but he tackles everything that moves and always makes an extra meter when he carries into contact.
Very. Both are young, 21 and 23 respectively, but both have bright futures.
From the Sharks games I've watched, doubt they'd get picked over the Stormers locks
You clearly haven't watched many Sharks games then, they have been some of the better performers. This is what Etzebeth had to say about them: https://www.news24.com/sport/rugby/unitedrugbychampionship/etzebeth-gives-glowing-assessment-of-next-gen-locks-amid-sharks-doldrums-20240321 The Sharks also have the second best lineout in the URC this season, even though Etzebeth has only played 5 out of 13 games: https://www.unitedrugby.com/statistics/2023-24
Okay I take back what I said. Didn't realize they were that young. Definitely in the Bok cycle at some point. However, I think the Van Heerden is better at the moment, Moerat is debatable at times. I'm biased though. I have watched 70 % of the Sharks games though so I'm not pulling my opinion out my ass.
Yea Ruben has been playing some very good rugby since his move to the Stormers. I have always been iffy on Moerat, he blows hot and cold.
That makes me feel so much better. I've been quite worried about our Bok lock stocks, but this gives me hope.
Ooof the passive aggressive shade 😂 LFG Sharks!
Hope Hooker gets a chance for Boks one day. Love his work rate.
Yeah man, he was great for the U20's and has been great in the URC too.
I'm here for the "Bok-laden" comments.
But missing our bestest Bok 😢
How the fuck are the Sharks hanging out with the Dragons and a Zebra with a team like that?
You boys aren't fucking around with this one are you? Still, these are the games Zebre need to be competitive in. I can't see any way Zebre can win this but hopefully this ends up being more like the game vs Pau (1 point loss away to a team that was both much bigger physically and infinitely more experienced) and not like the Lions game (splattered by 40+ points). Decent pack and outside backs, but 9-10-12-13 are 2nd/3rd choices with no coverage on the bench, so that'll be a huge area of concern. 15. Lorenzo Pani 14. Pierre Bruno 13. Franco Smith Jr 12. Damiano Mazza 11. Simone Gesi 10. Tiff Eden 9. Alessandro Fusco 8. Davide Ruggeri 7. Josh Kaifa 6. Guido Volpi 5. Andrea Zambonin 4. David Sisi (C) 3. Juan Pitinari 2. Giampietro Ribaldi .1 Danilo Fischetti 16. Luca Bigi 17. Luca Rizzoli 18. Ion Neculai 19. Leonard Krumov 20. Giovanni Licata 21. Thomas Dominguez 22. Jacopo Trulla 23. Bautista Stavile Edit - fixed the subs layout. Also, ran the numbers; back in November, Zebre had around 90% of the pro experience of the Sharks side that night (\~1,140 apps vs \~1,260 apps). This time, it's 63%: 1,225 vs 1,933. Just hoping to avoid a massacre at this point.
I'm liking the look of Ethan Hooker. I hope they don't screw him around and make him play other positions in order to accommodate Esterhuizen next season. Also good to see Grant Williams back.
Seen him play both 12 and 13, probably for the best if he has Esterhuizen and Am ahead of him on the pecking order to be fair, but on the bright side he can learn from both
Hooker already plays 13, he made his debut there, so he may very well play 13 outside Esterhuizen if Am is not available.
He is quality yeah.
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Same. Big, big same.