SHARKS 2011

The Sharks made a shocking start to last year's Super Rugby competition, losing their first five games, which basically took them right out of contention for a semifinal place early on in their campaign.

The Men from Durban did manage to stage some sort of revival, winning seven out of their remaining eight games, but it was not enough and they had to eventually settle for ninth place, their worst finish in Super Rugby since 2005.

At the end of the Super Rugby campaign, and with the departure of his halfbacks Ruan Pienaar and Andy Goode Kiwi coach John Plumtree made some brave decisions which he implemented in the Currie Cup. Plumtree decided that in order for his team to use the new law variations to their advantage they would have to adopt a high-tempo, possession-based game.

He also decided to back young homegrown Pat Lambie as his first-choice flyhalf. The selection of the SA Under-20 fullback at pivot instead of a seasoned international (since Butch James left Frederic Michalak, Juan Martin Hernandez, Pienaar and Goode have all spent time in the role) was a bold move, but one that Sharks fans were willing to entertain after the highly disappointing Super Rugby campaign.

After an initial hiccup against the competitive Griquas the Sharks proceeded to sweep all before them in the Currie Cup, finishing on top of the log and securing home advantage in the knock-out stages.

Most impressive were their victories over full-strength Bulls and Western Province teams in the semifinal and final. The Sharks new approach had been put to the ultimate test, taking on the Super 14 finalists in consecutive fixtures, and they passed with flying colours.

With four Springbok front rowers and destructive ball-carrying loose forwards such as Willem Alberts and Jean Deysel the Sharks have no problem
dominating the physical confrontations and getting over the advantage line.
But the key is that these players are supported by speedy back rowers such as Ryan Kankowski, Keegan Daniel and Jacques Botes. As a result they protect their possession very effectively and are able to put opposition defences under sustained pressure.

In Lambie they have a silky distributor who kicks when it will give his team the advantage. He forged an extremely effective partnership with scrumhalf Charl McLeod in the Currie Cup and much of the Sharks season rests on whether these two precocious young talents can deliver on their promise.The rest of the backline also seems more settled; Meyer Bosman and Terblanche will provide calm heads outside Lambie and with the rise of Lwazi Mvovo the Sharks now have three Springbok wings.

Although their Currie Cup form was impressive this Sharks outfit must now prove that they have what it takes to deliver on the big stage. Super Rugby will be the true test of whether Plumtree’s dynamic approach is worth all the hype.

Strengths: A strong scrum, bolstered by the return of Springbok skipper John Smit to full fitness, an effective system at the breakdown which serves to starve the opposition of possession and a good blend of youth and experience in the backline.

Weaknesses: Their locks are not in the same class as the rest of the pack; Steven Sykes, Alistair Hargreaves and Ross Skeate all still need to prove their international pedigree. In the backline they have two aging players at outside centre in Terblanche and Adi Jacobs, and injury-prone Louis Ludik will also be a concern for Plumtree at fullback.

Noteworthy signings: Jacques-Louis Potgieter will provide solid back-up for Lambie at flyhalf with the versatile Meyer Bosman providing further cover. The exciting young scrumhalf Conrad Hoffman will keep Mcleod on his toes while Ross Skeate from Toulon provides experience in the second row.

Noteworthy losses: Springbok pair Ruan Pienaar and Johann Muller are now plying their trade with Ulster, both were senior players at the Sharks and will be missed. Promising forwards Pat Cilliers and Michael Rhodes have both signed with the Lions in search of more game-time along with Waylon Murray. Centre Andries Strauss has moved to the Cheetahs after signing off with a man of the match performance in the Currie Cup Final.

Coach: John Plumtree believes in his new style and the players he has at his disposal to execute it effectively. This is a big year for the Sharks and their coach as they seek to deliver on the promise they showed in the domestic competition last year.

Captain: John Smit is back, after a five-month injury lay-off the World Cup-winning skipper is looking leaner and meaner. But where will he play? With Beast Mtarawira and the Du Plessis brothers forming such an effective unit towards the end of the Currie Cup and on the Springboks year-end tour, Smit will have to work hard just to get on the park. Plumtree believes that Smit can cover all three positions in the front row, so perhaps his best position is as an impact player, if so it will be a challenge, even for Smit, to inspire his charges from the bench.

Potential bolters: The halfback combination is fresh and exciting, a lot of the Sharks hopes for the season rest on their young shoulders. Former SA Under-19 captain Hargreaves needs to step up and justify the faith that many, including Bok coach Peter de Villiers have shown in him by becoming an established operator at this level.

2010 position: Ninth
Best finish: Runners-up in 1996, 2001 and 2007
Worst finish: 12th in 2000 and 2005
Home Venue: Kings Park, Durban

2011 prospects: In the last World Cup year the Sharks finished top of the log playing an exciting brand of rugby and lost their home final in the last minute. This year they will be looking to go one better.

Schedule:
Saturday, February 19 v Cheetahs, home
Saturday, February 26 v Blues, home
Saturday, March 5 v Force, away
Friday, March 11 v Rebels, away
Friday, March 18 v Chiefs, away
Friday, March 25 v Crusaders, away
Saturday, April 2 v Stormers, home
Saturday, April 9 v Lions, home
Saturday, April 23 v Hurricanes, home
Saturday, April 30 v Stormers, away
Saturday, May 7 v Brumbies, home
Saturday, May 21 v Bulls, home
Saturday, May 28 v Waratahs, home
Saturday, June 4 v Cheetahs, away
Saturday, June 11 v Lions, away
Saturday, June 18 v Bulls, away