John Plumtree says centre Ethan Hooker’s choice at wing this week comes because the Sharks take care of a raft of back-three accidents and with a watch on creating depth, experiences DEVIN HERMANUS.
Head coach Plumtree has opted to experiment with Hooker on the left wing for Saturday’s Currie Cup semi-final between the Sharks XV and Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld. Andre Esterhuizen and Francois Venter type the brand new midfield mixture, whereas Eduan Keyter takes over from Litelihle Bester at 14.
“[Hooker] hasn’t performed wing earlier than, so it’s one thing that I’d prefer to experiment with. It’s not going to be a positional change for him sooner or later; his future is within the midfield with the Sharks. However I wish to see how he goes,” Plumtree mentioned in the course of the Sharks’ staff announcement convention on Thursday.
“He’s massive, he’s quick, he’s fantastic beneath the excessive ball, and he’s a sensible rugby participant. His work fee will probably be good, and he’s a great communicator within the back-field.
“With a man like Andre Esterhuizen enjoying, and Ethan across the similar spots, they’re each massive males… it’s simply a chance for me to see him go in that place.”
Plumtree defined the choice in gentle of the accidents to outdoors backs, together with Diego Appollis, Yaw Penxe, and Marnus Potgieter, and the necessity to plan for the long run.
“We’re stretched within the wider channels… and a few of our senior gamers are ageing,” he highlighted. “It’s vital for our youthful gamers to study from them, but in addition for us to experiment slightly with depth in numerous positions.”
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The Sharks will probably be with out veteran prop Ruan Dreyer and the thrilling Jurenzo Julius for this week’s rematch with the Bulls. Dreyer sustained a Grade 2 calf tear in a comeback win in opposition to the Herd in Durban on Sunday, and is being carefully monitored.
“Ruan was by no means going to make it,” Plumtree confirmed. “He seems to be like a reasonably quick healer, and the medical staff is working laborious on him. He’ll solely doubtlessly be match for the Currie Cup ultimate or our Vodacom URC opener in opposition to Connacht.”
Julius, who suffered a concussion final week, is recovering nicely and might be out there quickly. “Jurenzo’s exhibiting no signs… he’ll be fantastic for subsequent week or the week after,” Plumtree added.
Whereas Plumtree’s main focus is the 2024-25 URC marketing campaign, he careworn the significance of taking the Currie Cup severely. “Finally, in the event you take a look at the larger image, it’s a pre-season sport for us, and for lots of gamers, it’s simply their second sport again,” he defined.
“However Saturday’s match is a stable, bodily hit-out in opposition to a high quality staff, and that’s precisely what we would like presently of the yr.”
For Plumtree, who has received the Currie Cup twice each as a participant and coach, the competitors nonetheless holds significance: “It’s vital to honour the Currie Cup. It’s acquired a large historical past and has been an enormous a part of my teaching profession.
“As a lot because the URC and Champions Cup are priorities for this union, we’re taking this week severely,” he mentioned, whereas hoping to keep away from additional accidents. “We’ve already acquired just a few accidents, and I don’t wish to add to the listing.”
Photograph: Steve Haag Sports activities/Gallo Pictures
