Sharks can’t afford to have a donkey at fullback

Sharks provide key to their planby Gavin Rich 03 June 2015, 08:33

The announcement that Willie le Roux has signed to play for the Cell C Sharks in the 2016 Vodacom Super Rugby season is big news in terms of what it means to the plan that never got off the ground this season.

Throughout the off-season the word from Durban was that the Sharks would be embarking on a new path this year.

Although Jake White had taken the franchise where it had never been before by winning the South African conference, there was unhappiness at the dour style of rugby employed to achieve that objective, and a feeling that they could have achieved more had they possessed more variety in their arsenal.

In White’s defence, he was intending the Sharks to be more all-embracing in their style of rugby in 2014. The failure to satisfy those who love to see spectacular tries scored needs to be seen in the context of the breakdown at flyhalf after Pat Lambie was injured.

White, when he spoke so enthusiastically in the pre-season, kept referring to what a pleasure it was going to be having Lambie and Frans Steyn in the 10/12 key backline decision making axis. Once Lambie was ruled out White, who never rated the now Cheetahs bound Fred Zeilinga, had to choose between Steyn and the young import from Western Province, Tim Swiel.

Swiel never came through even though White gave him plenty of opportunity, so although he never really rated Steyn as a pivot, he had to go that route. Steyn, being so big, may be too awkward in the position to be the fluent link you’d need for a running game. However, he can kick opposing teams to pieces and is a physical presence, so the Sharks cut the clothing to suit the cloth.

Although they won the conference, the Sharks, laden with Bok even without Lambie, were seen to have underachieved last year, and everything in the pre-season was geared towards drawing the fans back with promises of expansive, crowd pleasing rugby.

The Sharks have shown glimpses of that potential, but in truth, their pre-occupation with being crowd pleasing in their pre-season preparation tripped them up, and when the Toyota Cheetahs delivered a wake-up call in the opening game, it was the start of a gradual shift away from what was intended.

Why the Le Roux recruitment is significant though is because he should provide what has been the missing link for the Sharks. Natal had great attacking fullbacks in the form of Doc Louw and Tim Cocks back in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Hugh Reece-Edwards could question an opposing defence when he was young, and of course in the 1990s, there was the Rolls Royce of No15s providing the impetus in the form of Andre Joubert.

Recently though that trend has changed, and SP Marais, recruited from the Southern Kings two years ago, isn’t the sort of player that you expect to slip into the backline and provide that extra man and thrust that Le Roux has done so well for both the Cheetahs and the Springboks in recent seasons.

White chose Lwazi Mvovo there for a while to address that shortfall and now White’s successor, Gary Gold is doing the same after also trying Odwa Ndungane.

There are whispers that Cornal Hendricks is also heading to the Sharks – he is definitely leaving the Cheetahs but his destination is yet to be confirmed – but even if he isn’t, the Sharks are well served there by Mvovo and S’bura Sithole, who both provide plenty of pace. Of course JP Pietersen can play there too if he stays in Durban and if Paul Jordaan regains his old form and slots back in at outside centre.

But to be a complete attacking force the Sharks can’t afford to have a donkey at fullback, and that explains the signing of a player in Le Roux who can provide great variation in the sense that he is never shy to look for work and pop up as first receiver once play has been taken beyond a couple of phases.

The signing of Le Roux should partially offset the concern in Durban at what lies ahead for the Sharks post this year’s World Cup, when there is a strong chance they will lose the physically imposing Springbok forward trio of Willem Alberts and Jannie and Bismarck du Plessis.

While the Sharks have struggled to make an impression on the field, and were woeful even in victory against the Melbourne Rebels last weekend, they have been leading the rest in terms of what has been happening off the field in terms of acquisitions. Le Roux will be joined in Durban by his Cheetahs teammate and fellow former Cape player, Joe Pietersen, as well as Waratahs flank/lock Jacques Potgieter.

Time will tell though how much of a flow in the opposite direction there might be once the window for recruitment is officially opened next month.

Given how crap the recent Sharks signings have been......its about time they got one right in signing Willie

It is clear that the Sharks want to play attacking rugby
The backline is starting to look excellent for the Sharks. 
Willie LeRoux is the best backline player in South Africa. He is a creator and a finisher that give teams he plays for an extra 
dimension at 2nd receiver. 
Cornall Hendriks is a quality player so hopefully he signs up. 
We need a quick scrumhalf like Faff at the base of the ruck. and a new hooker to replace Bismaark if he leaves.
A new tighthead is a must. SP Marais is surplus to requirements. 

Reinach is a class 9
Yep the Sharks need a new tighthead.....with Thomas du Toit playing 3 for the Baby Boks, he might just be the answer.
SP Marais has had his moments when he has been really good......but along with the whole Sharks side, seems to have slipped.
Cooper is a good hooker, who also slipped a little

I have to agree with the article, and was the first to note it last year! The 10-12 axis was stable. If you look at the stats, the Sharks were scoring around 2-4 tries per game until Lambie's injury. They went through a lean period in the middle portion of the season and picked up again towards the end. I don't rate Lambie as a fly-half, but it was undeniable that they were more settled on attack than with any other combination. Juggling Frans, Jordaan, JP et al was just too much for a team lacking in quality (He lost at least 4 10s in 2012 with the Brumbies and still had the team playing well!).

But, the thing that concerns me most. Is Willie being purchased to add to a plan or is he the net result of a coaching team that is bereft of ideas and are trying to rely on individuals to make up for their shortcomings? I have watched the Shark's key games this year and can say I'm not sure what the plan is. On defence there are many concerns. On attack, it's hard to say what they are trying to do. The best I have seen was one set move. They don't know where the ball is going, or look to have anything other than a damage limitation plan place. They look like the Boks of 2008; trying to implement a ridiculous plan for more ball in hand rugby and then discard it for a very limited safety first approach.

Th e Sharks could never be a championship winning team, they have a backline that is porous in the tackle and cannot compete at the breakdown. Contrast this with the Stormers, who are clearly well organized and mobilize quickly. From 1-15 they know where the ball is going, they clean efficiently and are in place quickly. Still have their problems, but I am even impressed by how the coaching team are coming up with interesting ways of utilizing Damian. They show an understanding of what their roster can actually do and come up with ideas to make it work for them. The Sharks with Gold took a slower, heavy pack with a backline that cannot tackle or compete to secure ball and tried to run it... utter silliness to say the least. It was always a recipe for disaster. I am guessing that Gold wants a Kolbe in his side, but it won't fix the problems they have.

 "Sharks can’t afford to have a donkey at fullback"

@Sharky, I didn't even know you had a son!
Congrats on his inclusion.

No, the Sharks don't want a donkey at fullback . . . but they don't want a showpony either.

Willie le Roux must stop being a peripheral player who spends his time waiting for the chance to be the glory boy and he must up his work rate . . . and he must also stop the stupid chip kicks . . . and must stop diving!

 Rooi, Willie Le Roux would step into the ABs any time. Infact, it is not too late Willie - defect now and we will bend the rules for you .

 rooi
Willie's work rate is fine.
The reason he scores and sets up so many tries is because he knows instinctivly when to attack and where to attack.
A good attacking player in rugby and soccer doesnt run around like a headless chicken. They choose when to pounce.

As for his defence, i see no problems there. He is second only to Bjorn Basson under the high ball. His tackling is decent.

As Hak said, he'd walk in to the AB's at any time.

Stop being so fricken negativo and pessimistic!

My issue with young Kolbe is that he runs around like a kid in a candy store. If he chose his runs and timed his attacks, he'd be 50% more lethal.

Willie le Roux would walk the All Blacks? At whose expense? Ben Smith? Israel Dagg? Julian Savea?

 Smith is on par.
Dagg is a useless defender
Savea isnt a fullbacks ass!

 We are so critical of our own...
Case in point:
We have, statistically the best all-rounder to have ever walked the planet, yet he is revered more in Aus and the UK than in our own land. In SA he is just another good cricketer to have come and gone.

If he was a pom, he would have been knighted!

I'm not saying Julian Savea is a fullback. Willie le Roux has played tests on the wing.

If Willie le Roux is only on par with Ben Smith (and I'm stretching my imagination here), why are you saying he'll walk into the AB team any time?

Rooi
Yeah on par with Smith overall.
But whilst Smith is faantastic at breaking tackles and bursting in to gaps, Willie however is slightly different in that he is great at creating space for others, which inadvertently leaves gaps for him as defenders shift off him.

Look, we can argue all day. Im just saying that we are so critical of our own.
Willie is a fantastic player and would walk in to any team around the world.

Agreed Willie is one of the best rugby players in the game, is a special talent......without him the Boks would be as sterile as ever given Meyer's selections  

Chippo, I agree that Ben Smith and Willie le Roux have different strengths and weaknesses but you're not really answering the question. If they are pretty much on a par then why would one walk into any team at the expense of the other?
I also notice you getting quite annoyed at my criticism of Willie le Roux . . . "Stop being so fricken negativo and pessimistic!" and "we are so critical of our own".
I didn't see you saying anything similar when various posters knocked Victor Matfield. I didn't see you complaining when LeTwat was more than critical of Patrick Lambie. Was Moffie not negative and pessimistic when he slagged off Marcell Coetzee? Huh?
Why is it some kind of mortal sin to criticise your precious Willie le Roux but it's okay to crucify other Springboks?

 What is wee Willie's error rate? I bet Ben Smith is more accurate, to me there is no comparison, Ben Smith is way better. Willie would not make it in the ABs but as he is not well coached or well used it is hard to tell his true talent.

 Rooinek opines - "Willie le Roux must stop being a peripheral player who spends his time waiting for the chance to be the glory boy". BUT is there another palyer who sets up other players better. Ou rooinek clealry doesnt understand what Willie is about. Naturally I am not surprised!
Willie's main problem is that he has been the main threat on attack and all opposing sides needed to do was watch Willie. This is due to the very poor backline coaching of Loubcher and wee old man matfiled messing up the backline and going back meters as backs run all over him. Hahahahahahahhahaha
Of course Willie would walk the wee abs - they dont have a player in his class. Given what Willie has to contend with he does exceptionally well conjuring up tries from nowhere - which most often others players score.  Those with a modicum of rugby acumen give the credit to Willie not the fortunate winger who flopped over the line after a clear run in. All this will be news for ou rooitwit! Bwahahahhaahhahaha
I would love to see how B en Smith went in a badly run Bok backline. He wouldnt last more than a match. 


 

Leroux is prone to making stupid mistakes sometimes and his defense is not the best. He is fast- but he got caught from behind by Barrett. 

His passing and running lines are light years ahead of most backline players in SA. He is easily one of the best attacking players in world rugby. I expect he would make the ABS team ahead of Dagg
Leroux may be about the same as Ben Smith on the outside, but surely Leroux is a better as a playmaker. 

 We will never know and I find it a bit stupid to speculate about any Bok being good enough to play for NZ. Willie did some magic for the Boks. He will need to repeat that magic to stay in the team, lets hope he does.

 bDraad
 
Status: Senior player 
Posts: 2242RE: Sharks can’t afford to have a donkey at fullback
June 04, 2015, 20:42:07I find it a bit stupid to speculate about any Bok being good enough to play for NZ.
Does that make you clever then by not speculating? 

 Yes!

Dagg has been one of the biggest reasons New Zealand resurrected after the 2009 disasters. He dominates the air and has a massive raking boot that takes play from one 22 to the other. One of the reasons why I would play Lambie at 15 against New Zealand; he is the safest of all our fullbacks under the high ball and can clear his lines well, thus negating the oppositions push for territory. Dagg of course is a great attacking fullback, but those are a dime a dozen these days, though I should note his work at first receiver. He gives New Zealand options. In my opinion he has been the best fullback in the SH since 2010. Without him New Zealand are far more limited.

Willie's best attribute is his ability to target defenders, draw them in and pass. Simple draw and pass. Against England he drew in two, it was one of the best pieces of attacking play that year. That try was all him . His running lines are not bad, but not the best of our fullbacks. For that I prefer Kolbe and Kirchner, with Kirchner being the harder runner with a knack for try assists. Kolbe as well is very tough though. 

@Draad spare us your copy and paste cliches.  You dont even watch the matches

Next year it would be more ideal for the Sharks to opt for Joe Pietersen at fullback, Le Roux should be on the wing, where he's more composed.