Tyler Fisher to start at 15 for Sharks

This from the Sharks supporters site:

Sharks Director of Rugby Jake White looks set to reveal the first big surprise of his tenure when he names his team to face Saracens this weekend.

Facing somewhat of a conundrum at fullback, given the non-availability of former Kings player SP Marais, reports suggest that 20-year-old outside centre Tyler Fisher is likely to face a baptism of fire when named in the number 15 jersey for Saturday’s game. Fisher, who played for SA Schools after a great Craven Week in 2012, leap-frogged the Sharks under 19 side completely last year and formed a formidable midfield partnership for the under 21s alongside Andre Esterhuizen. Esterhuizen, himself also still eligible for under 20 selection, will also travel to London on Wednesday, but it’s not yet clear how White intends to use him for the match.

 Saffex

Wonder what will happen with the backline on Saturday.  What is sure is that Swiel will start at flyhalf in view of the absence of Lambie.   That could present a serious problem for the slow-paced Steyn - Swiel is quick and Steyn will have to have his work cut out to keep up with him.   

I saw a lot of the Under 21 games of the Sharks -  Tyler was not so hot - Esterhuizen really was.

I think the vacjkine will probably be as follows:-

9   Reinach, 10 Swiel, 11 Ndungane, 12 Steyn, 13 Jordaan, 14 Mvovo, 14 Mvovo. 15 Tyler,

The bench is likely to be McCleod, Zeilinga and Esterhuizen/Williams

This may be a rumour only - Zeilinga is a potential full back - has played there in the past and will cover both the flyhalf and full back positions -  so he may be the first choice full back.

Duplication

Duplication

As per usual your take is a load of rubbish. Fisher was very good for the Shark U21, as was Esterhuizen.

Swiel running away from Frans at 12 is probably the least informed bit of rugby analysis I have ever read.......but then I have come to expect that from your ignorance.

Lets hope like hell Jordaan is not at 13 for the Sharks, for Fruean proved last year that Jordaan is not physically up to the task of 13 and his best bet is to play on the wing. He is a nice little player but like de Jongh, he is not a 13 at the highest level.

Jake should play Esterhuizen or Fisher at 13 this year.

My guess is that Zeilinga's experience will get him the nod ahead of Swiel at 10. Neither should be considered for fullback as they are both far too small.

I am surprised Ndungane is not covering 15 as that's where he played some of his games for the Sharks in the CC last year........but to be fair he is no fullback  

Saff ex

Lets hope like hell Steyn does not flop like he did last year.  He missed more tackles in one match than Jordaan did in all the Super 15 matches he played in.   Because Jordaan missed one tackle on Fruean - it does not mean he is as bad a defender as Steyn is on a constant basis.

Now on the pace issue  - Steyn is very slow for a backline player and there can be a problem to keep pace in a fast- moving backline.

As for your comments on Tyler and Esterhuizen - have you seen any of the Under 21 matches or are you day dreaming again?    

That is just a plain lie, something you do when you have nowhere to hide.......Frans missed very few tackles.

We keep having to tell you that it was not so much the 1 miss by Jordaan on Fruean you thick shit, it was more the manner in which Jordaan was made to look like a boy.

You of course have missed the point here completely.......which makes no sense at all given you keep banging on about de Jongh not being up to scratch defensively, but seem to think Jordaan is any better, despite them being similar sizes

Saffec

Francois Steyn had a history of missed tackles.   Watching replay of the 2007 EC final - he missed three tackles - one of which was on Tate - which came within a whisker of costing us the WC.   Now fast forward to 2013 and you find that he missed more tackles than could ever be regarded as acceptable.  Go back and check the ESPN stats and you will find out why his defence was poor compared to any level of acceptability. 

So is not a lie - it is a fact.   You will obviously go on and preach about how he misses few tackles - but that is factually and statistically contradicted.   

It is not the rubbish you dream up - it is not like missing the tackles of JJ Engelbrecht.  O yes - it is like him,.  He constantly uses a defective tackle technique and players beat him regularly as a result of defective technique.  Jordaan ONCE used the wrong technique and was once beaten by Fruean.   In the same game he used the right technique on FIVE occasions and tackled Freuan with ease five times.

Just another one - Engelbrecht has not overcome the wrong technique ever - and he still uses it - Jordaan realized after one tackle that it was wrong and changed it - that is the difference.  

Jordaan in all the games he played in in Super 15 missed 4 tackles - one of which was the tackle that you and Mozart keeps harping on like a last hope excuse.   How many tackles did Steyn and Engelbrecht miss?   Go and study the stats and work out the missed tackle ratio's of those two - it makes for ugly reading. 

You have not answered question about whether you have seen any of the Sharks  Under 21 matches last year.   If you have not - on what do you base your assessment?    I saw the games and even mentioned Esterhuizen by name on this site and asked about him.   He really was impressive - Tyler was run of the mill - not better than other centers he played against.

Lastly - I also thought Ndungane may be used as full back - but have no sure feeling about that one.  However, you are wrong about Swiel - White enticed him to come to the Sharks with promise of game time in Super 15.   On the first occasion Lambie is not available - do you think White is going to break his promise to Swiel?   In any event Swi el is a much better flyhalf than Zeiinga..