So its official that he and the Sharks are in negotiations which they hope to finalise in the next few weeks. The only issue outstanding is a contract with SARU, which he needs to offset some of the loss of income (hes earning R7 mil a year in France). Sounds like a three year contract will be signed.
He's marrying a Durban girl (same day as 3rd test against England) and also owns property in Durban, so it seems like he's keen to settle here long term.
I hope he has made it clear that he intends to play 12 exclusively. No other country in the world regards players as "utility backs". It's yet another disease in South African rugby. If he doesn't assert himself, then he will ruin his career at the Sharks.
12 or 15...
But he needs to stickto one position.
Id also prefer him at 12. He creates a lot for the players around him. He enjoys putting players into space, but is also powerful with ball in hand.
Ive always said (since 07) that i can't wait for the kid to become a man. He was brilliant as a youngster, but will now also be wiser as as an experienced man.
Welcome back Frans...
I dont care whether its for the Sharks, Lions, Bulls, Cheetahs, Stormers or the Eastern Queens.
One of the biggest biggest benefits to his move to France is the culture of their rugby. They put less emphasis on structures and more emphasis on thinking. Their coaches often ask their players about what they are doing, so as to get them to look at their performances and assess what they are doing right/wrong. Grante, they do very little skills or conditioning training; rather preferring to literally play the ball instead during sessions. Overall, it has benefited him very much. I was very pleased to see the amount of egg dished out to the ignorant Saffers who attacked his return to the Boks last year. What did they say? He was too fat, too slow, a rubbish player. Even Keo himself had to correct those assertions, but instead asked how he gained so much speed and power. At 15 Frans offers nothing that nearly a dozen other players already do, but they add even more. Aplon's defence stats are far superior to Fran's at 15 as well as his attack stats. Food for thought. The biggest reason why we should apparantly field him at 15 is his drop kick ability. This is often used in tandem with complaints that we kick far too much. This contradiction is stale and ignorant. Why have our best 12 at 15 for the threat of 3 points once in a blue-moon when it drags our entire backline into the gutter? The Sharks already have Lambie and Ludik, who are both better 15s. They need their centres to be sorted out quickly.
Sharks best future backline:
15.Lambie
14.JP
13.(Buy a real 13)
12.Frans
11.Mvovo
10.Bosman
09.McLeod
I have it he's on good authority that he would sign as a 12 and would only play elsehere in an emergency situation which is acceptable to me. I just hope he's lost a bi t of his attitude and realises that game time is not guaranteed......he must keep his form and compete with the others in the team.
I like that Sharks backline Der, just sort out Mvovo's little flaws and give Bosman more support. Back ups would be Whitehead, Jordaan, Sithole, Hoffman etc so the future is suddenly looking a bit brighter for the Sharks. Also, should Plumtree not achieve his pre-determined targets this year, we could have a new coach as well.
Whitehead hasn't done so bad, and Mvovo just needs to up his work rate. He has enormous potential, but just hugs the touchline all the time. Very frustrating. Very pleased to hear that he won't play musical chairs at the Sharks. I don't see anyone putting pressure on his position though. He is a very tough competitor and always makes a positive contribution where he can. He will bolster the Sharks significantly!
Agreed Frans must only play 12
Whats wrong with putting Steyne at fullback ? Any player that can play fullback is also useful in other parts of the backline i'll admit but restricting him to any one position like 12 as suggested seems close minded and limits his potential elsewhere especially given his kicking abilities.
Frans offers nothing on attack at 15 and is defensively suspect. He just isn't natural in the position. Saying restricting him to 15 is like saying that not wanting to shift Carter or Nonu around is close minded. Frans excels at 12 so he must stay there. Playing him around the backline inhibits his development. Your muscle fibres remember what you do, and playing out of position means your reaction is delayed as test rugby is so fast that you require high reaction rates. Often why these "utility backs" seem off the pace or struggle to make the right decisions.
Point taken about specialists like Carter but i 'd rather use Kahui and Dagg as comparisons. I see the ability to adapt to multiple positions as a definite advantage and pigeon holing a player without trialing them within different backline configurations first is limiting their potential perhaps. Who else could kick the boks out of trouble from the f/back position the way Steyn can?
In terms of kicking out of hand Joe Pietersen, Daniller and Viljoen can kick from 22 to 22. All three are better all round 15s than Frans. Flexibility is one thing, but there is no good reason to shift Frans to 15 ever, injury shuffles mid-game an exception. Pietersen, Kirchner, Aplon, Daniller, Viljoen, Lambie and Taute are all better than Frans.
Sounds like good options for your new coach. The kicking game that SA bring is usually a major strength and to have players that can drop goals from halfway is always a worry for us although i'd only give 1 point for a dropgoal myself as they do in league to encourage more of a running game.
Welcome back home you Banana Boy.
This is where you belong.
Make sure you sign to play at #12 otherwise Plumtree will make you the hooker.
Great news for Shark/Natal supporters and the game in Durbs in general.
Huge boost for sharks if Frans signs. They will play him at center. Lambie will stay at 10 and Viljoen at 15.
That is what bes tsuits the sharks. JP will be the other center and Mvovo and Ndungane the wings.
Mcloed. Lambie, Mvovo, Frans, JP. Ndungane and Viljoen. Only Mcloed at 88 kg below the benchmark 90 kg. Please note microlight fans!
Very capable backline! Get Beast back and Deysel and Kan Kan and the sharks are in with a shout for sure.
Sharks also need to get Mostert back as a priority.
Francois Steyn should go to the Bulls where he will be played in position. Our friend Plumtree has a tendency to play individuals out of their best positions. PDV did the same and never got the best out of players. Rugby is basically a very simple game and smartass approaches never pay off...the Sharks loaded with talent but some key players doing their rounds in positions that are not necessary their best. It got so ridiculous that one of the best hookers in the world was missing games because the John Smit problem. The Ruan Pienaars,the Francois Steyns,the John Smits and now the Pat Lambies (he is a no 15)...he is not to be sacrificed on the John Plumtree altar as a 10...why the hell import Freddie Michalak who is better @ 10 than 9 and play him in turns with Charl ...good as he is virtually anywhere but I believe we have a star in the making here. Exposure @ 10 will sooner or later make him vulnerable to serious injury...not just a dental injury as this week...the kid has such ability and talent he evokes jealousy from lesser talent and will make him a constant target...I know he can handle this by why risk a Springbok no 15 for the simple fast-food reward of Super rugby.
