Force v Sharks Lineup

[James]

Here we are line-ups for Friday's match:

Emirates Western Force Sharks

1. Gareth Hardy Beast Mtawarira
2. Tai McIsaac Bismark Du Plessis
3. AJ Whalley BJ Botha
4. David Pusey Johan Ackermann
5. Nathan Sharpe (c) Johan Muller
6. Scott Fava Jacques Botes
7. David Pocock AJ Venter
8. Richard Brown Ryan Kankowski

9. Matt Henjak Ruan Pienaar
10. Matt Giteau (vc) Michalak/Steyn
11. Drew Mitchell JP Pietersen
12. Scott Staniforth Bradley Barritt
13. Ryan Cross Waylon Murray
14. Nick Cummins Henno Mentz
15. Cameron Shepherd Steyn/Terblanche


Reserves

16. Luke Holmes Craig Burden
17. Troy Takiari Kees Lensing
18. Sitaleki Timani Jannie Du Plessis
19. Matt Hodgson Jean Deysel/Albert van den Burg
20. James Stannard Rory Kockott
21. Scott Daruda Adrian Jacobs
22. Josh Tatupu Terblanche/Someone else


Interesting that Muir is using a bench front row of 2 props and a hooker. Must be keen to use the scrums as an attacking weapon. On paper the teams look pretty evenly matched. Both teams have very solid backlines and I'd say our back-rows are about equal. I'd say this one will be won in the battle of the tight fives. I think the Sharks have the technique but not the distance (thus the front row reserves). I'd also say ill discipline from players like Kankowski (who is a walking yellow card) will hopefully mean more penalties and less scrums giving us a bit of an advantage. Its interesting that this is almost exactly the same side we had against them last year. I am pegging us for a win of less than 6 points.

[James]

Sorry that didn't turn out quite right and I don't know how to fix it.

[PerthGirl]

I like the look of Someone Else, I hear he's in great form!

[Burgs]

I reckon we've got them covered just quietly

[brokendown gunfighter]

I like the look of Someone Else, I hear he's in great form!

he used to be called A.N. Other, in my day

[jargan83]

Cheers James, todays west has Pek Cowan at 1, Sam Wykes at 18 and Lachlan Mackay at 22. I'm more inclined to go with the reputable source through the site then The West though

[inactive]

aghhh how exciting just wish it wasnt on so late oh well will definately be up 2am sat morning isnt it!!

[jargan83]

In the west Sharks are pretty much listed the same as James has them above, except in the case of where James has 2 playes as possibles, i know that Michalak is struggling to over come injury (is it a calf?), is it the same for the other two??

[eleypinkbit]

Is number 1 for the the Sharks seriously called Beast? What were his parents thinking? Guess it's lucky he turned out a rugby players and not a ballet dancer!

[James]

Is number 1 for the the Sharks seriously called Beast? What were his parents thinking? Guess it's lucky he turned out a rugby players and not a ballet dancer!

I think its a nickname mind you, you get some weird names out of Africa. I have been told many black women name children after something they see or feel when they get birth. The names 'Six-pence' and 'Envy' have been used. It might be someone spinning me a line though.

[tdevil]

Michalak given all clear for Super 14 debut
Friday, February 15, 2008


French fly half Frederic Michalak has been passed fit to make his Super 14 debut for the Sharks against the Western Force in Durban tomorrow morning (Australian time).

Michalak has recovered from a calf strain for the Sharks' opening match of the tournament.

He had been bracketed at fly half with Springboks World Cup-winning utility Francois Steyn.

Steyn will now play at full-back.

[GIGS20]

I think its a nickname mind you, you get some weird names out of Africa. I have been told many black women name children after something they see or feel when they get birth. The names 'Six-pence' and 'Envy' have been used. It might be someone spinning me a line though.

Anyone called 'Useless pissed son of a b**ch who knocked me up'

[Thequeerone]

oh no ! Michalak is back Yuk - that makes it harder

[GIGS20]

No it doesn't, he's a time bomb. Put him behind that undisciplined rabble they call a pack and he'll fall to pieces after the second yellow card!