SARrugby.com

 De Allende and JDV vs Steyn and Jordaan.

Cant say anyone clearly stood it. Stormers again looked like shit on the attack and I would say Sharks had the better of them in terms of backline attack but still no clear favourites. De Allende was 1 dimensional and offered little. Signature move is to cut inside. Too often just bought to ground too easily and set up next phase.

Little opportunity for JDV. Showed some strength when pumping his legs in the tackle but no real line breaks or space to move. In summary, get De Jongh back at 13 and JDV at 12 immediately. At least this way they sure on defence if nothing else.

Steyn had some good, strong hit ups. Nothing fantastic but it was never gona be in a muggy arm wrestle. Jordaan was probably the most likely to cause a stir this match. Few nice half breaks early on and had the vision to put the grubber in that nearly put Mvovo away. A few times he good have had a break but shit passes and slippery ball halted progression.

I think the battle of the centres this weekend for the Sharks v Stormers game will go to the Sharks but like I say, not much to talk about on either side. 

On another note. I have watched De Allende only 3 times now and all three times he has looked very average. Is this due to Jantjies and standing too deep perhaps because I can not see anything "special" about this bloke?

When we get the stats I think you will find de Allende at least beat a few tackles....Fransie was taken down easily by the first tackler every time. My guess is the Stormers made more metres and beat more tackles, but let's see what the stats say.

Forward leaning runners like Fransie rarely stand in the tackle and offload....their own momentum takes them to ground. To me it's hard to imagine Fransie cracking an Aussie or NZ defence. And how long has it been since one of those long kicks have been succesful. All those misses cost his team a lineout inside the 22....and a chance for a try or a high percentage penalty.

I agree Jordaan looked the most dangerous of the centres. This kid has a rugby brain and lots of gas.

Boklogic

In essence there is one player in the Sharks backline and one player in the Stormers backline that effectively kill any backline play whatsoever. 

In the case  of the Stormers it is Jantjies.   He was clueles tonight as he was clueless in the Bulls game.   Tonight there was one case where there was a huge overlap and Jantjies chose to kick away possssion.  His other attribute is to run a few ateps towards the 12 and then pass the ball to the 12.   That leaves the 12's in deep trouble and they can only do what De Allende did tonight.   I have seen the warm up game of the Stormers where Jantjies was not the flyhalf and De Allende made a few good runs beating defenders in the process.  He also score very good tries in CC games.   He can be a good 12 - but then have to receive decent balls from the flyhalf.

Francois Steyn got enough balls from Lambie with quite a bit of space and did crashball regularly.   That means that the balls died with him.   In 2012 the Sharks had a very good attacking backline - this year they have in the games played thus far - never should any attacking flair and the question is - is Francois Steyn to blame for that?

There was nothing in it as far as the centres were concerned but thats the trend of modern day rugby when the sides are so evenly matched. There is no space for centres to shine.

Frans was the best of the 4. de Allende looks a good prospect but has had no opportunities. Forget de Jongh, he spent a whole S15 doing nothing all year. 

Jean is a poor 13 and has proved that in the last two games and in the tests he played there last year. Jean is done for me, but if the Stormers are going to play him, then play him at 12 and move de Allende to 13 or bring Pat Howard in at 13.

Jordaan as I have mentioned in the past looks like he will struggle to make a real impact at higher levels. He looks physically out of his depth much like Sadie, de Jongh and Ebersohn do. His stats have varied between 88kg and 94kg - he looks no bigger than 90kg odd. He looked small to me

 Breaks of the opposition lines are engineered these days. Trouble is the SA sides dont do any engineering. The pass cant beat a defender, loops, angles, drawing in defenders and creating overlap, obstruction ala nz sides,  clever chips etc etc. 

The Cheetas moved the ball out to the wings in an othodox manner with nothing else. Not only that  but they kept doing the same thing. I mean how daft is that.

What appalls me is one only has to watch what other sides are doing - you dont even have to invent anything.

Saffex

Back to size - when the big players are the real flops.  What a star you are in rating of players - glad Meyer can see flops with his own eyes.   Steyn is the real flop in the backline of the Sharks - without him everything will improve beyond recognition.

Mike you are so stupid, I doubt you even know what a centre is.

Just to confirm how stupid you are take a look at the home page of this site and see who is selected at 12.

Keep your rugby ignorance up, its a laugh a minute and the exact reason why I stand by what I said about Frans versus you and your list of posters.

What I suggest you lot start doing is actually listening to me

Saffex

Listening to your weird selections - I do as a matter of comical relief.   You are completely clueless and so says a lot of posters on this Board.   However, keep it up - you are always good for a laugh.

So Duncemike, who is at 12 in this weeks fans team of the week, huh?

Just provide his name