Saracens vs Sharks friendly today

[Kevin Robarts]

Hey Guys!

Can anyone please tell me how this Saracens side compares to their usual Aviva team selection?

Saracens: 15. Chris Wyles, 14. James Short, 13. Michael Tagicakibau, 12. Marcelo Bosch, 11. David Strettle, 10. Charlie Hodgson, 9. Neil de Kock, 8. Ernst Joubert, 7. Jacques Burger, 6. Justin Melck, 5. Mouritz Botha, 4. Steve Borthwick (c), 3. Matt Stevens, 2. Schalk Brits, 1. Richard Barrington. Bench: 16. Scott Spurling, 17. Nick Auterac, 18. Petrus Du Plessis, 19. Tom Jubb, 20. Takashi Kikutani, 21. Richard Wigglesworth, 22. Duncan Taylor, 23. Sam Stanley.


The Sharks WILL be well below their norm, this being their first outing since October and they are trialling a number of players.

The 4/10 on Saracens is very tempting but can anyone help out regarding their team selection?


Cheers, you rock!

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Sarracens are missing I think 4 first choice players who are with the England six nations squad. Two of these (the Vunipola brothers) are big losses but the Sarracens have the squad size / depth to do just fine. It's a VERY experienced Sarries team with the exception of Richard Barrington.

Does anybody know if this is being televised anywhere?

 

[munstermuffin]

Hey Guys!

Can anyone please tell me how this Saracens side compares to their usual Aviva team selection?

Saracens: 15. Chris Wyles, 14. James Short, 13. Michael Tagicakibau, 12. Marcelo Bosch, 11. David Strettle, 10. Charlie Hodgson, 9. Neil de Kock, 8. Ernst Joubert, 7. Jacques Burger, 6. Justin Melck, 5. Mouritz Botha, 4. Steve Borthwick (c), 3. Matt Stevens, 2. Schalk Brits, 1. Richard Barrington. Bench: 16. Scott Spurling, 17. Nick Auterac, 18. Petrus Du Plessis, 19. Tom Jubb, 20. Takashi Kikutani, 21. Richard Wigglesworth, 22. Duncan Taylor, 23. Sam Stanley.


The Sharks WILL be well below their norm, this being their first outing since October and they are trialling a number of players.

The 4/10 on Saracens is very tempting but can anyone help out regarding their team selection?


Cheers, you rock!

Is Justin Melck still with Sarries? Thought he was gone a whole for some reason

 

[ratsapprentice]

It's quite hard to say what their first team is considering they use a strict rotation system heavily.
There are maybe 5/6 guys who could be part of their "first team"... but this is nowhere near a full strength team.
Saracens:
15. Chris Wyles - Utility back, not first choice in any position although he regularly fills in due to their rotation system/injuries.
14. James Short - Good winger but barely plays for them anymore - always out on loan - is more than likely moving to Wasps at the end of the season.
13. Michael Tagicakibau - 3rd choice
12. Marcelo Bosch - Only recently joined the side but will probably end up being a regular starter swapping between 12-13 depending on their rotation system.
11. David Strettle - 1st choice - scores lots of tries against weaker teams, don't expect him to beat many defenders.
10. Charlie Hodgson - begrudgingly 2nd choice behind Farrell - significantly better than Owen in a lot of areas.
9. Neil de Kock - 1st choice just about
8. Ernst Joubert - Distant second choice behind Billy Vunipola
7. Jacques Burger - Arguably first choice.
6. Justin Melck - barely plays for them anymore - he wouldn't normally play unless there are a lot of injuries.
5. Mouritz Botha - 3rd/4th choice
4. Steve Borthwick (c) - Their Captain - a giant phallus
3. Matt Stevens - joint first choice with James Johnston
2. Schalk Brits - first choice
1. Richard Barrington - 2nd choice

Bench:

16. Scott Spurling - Academy player
17. Nick Auterac - Academy player
18. Petrus Du Plessis - 3rd choice
19. Tom Jubb - Academy player
20. Takashi Kikutani - never played for the club before
21. Richard Wigglesworth - joint first choice depending on rotation
22. Duncan Taylor - regular rotation starter
23. Sam Stanley - no idea

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Opps I forgot Owen Farrell also missing, Brad Barritt and Joel Tomkins . While not everybody's cup of tea, these players' style of aggressive defence and the regimented kicking of Farrell might be missed. However Charlie Hodgson can really fire a backline and it may pay dividends for Sarries.

Also, that Sharks side looks pretty darn strong!

And for anyone who cares....it's live on BT sport today1

 

[TRF_Olyy]

That side is like 100 times stronger than I expected!
Glad this is being televised as well.

 

[Kevin Robarts]

Thanks all, especially ratsapprentice for the detail. Had to laugh at your description of Steve Borthwick.


As far as the Sharks go:

15. Tyler Fisher - Untested. Will likely make some unforced errors.
14. Odwa Ndungane - First choice when JP Pietersen is away. Solid but a little slow.
13. Paul Jordaan - First choice, more suited to running rugby (this fixture might not be his course)
12. Andre Esterhuizen - Untested
11. Lwazi Mvovo - First choice
10. Tim Swiel - Untested
9. Cobus Reinach - First choice, runs more than Charl McLeod
8. Willem Alberts - Best loosie in RSA
7. Jean Deysel - Second choice, ultra physical. Sharks are missing a genuine fetcher for this fixture.
6. Tera Mtembu - Inexperienced but talented.
5. Pieter-Steph du Toit - First choice
4. Etienne Oosthuizen - Untested
3. Jannie du Plessis - First choice
2. Bismarck du Plessis - Best hooker in world rugby
1. Tendai Mtawarira - First choice

 

[munstermuffin]

Thanks all, especially ratsapprentice for the detail. Had to laugh at your description of Steve Borthwick.


As far as the Sharks go:

15. Tyler Fisher - Untested. Will likely make some unforced errors.
14. Odwa Ndungane - First choice when JP Pietersen is away. Solid but a little slow.
13. Paul Jordaan - First choice, more suited to running rugby (this fixture might not be his course)
12. Andre Esterhuizen - Untested
11. Lwazi Mvovo - First choice
10. Tim Swiel - Untested
9. Cobus Reinach - First choice, runs more than Charl McLeod
8. Willem Alberts - Best loosie in RSA
7. Jean Deysel - Second choice, ultra physical. Sharks are missing a genuine fetcher for this fixture.
6. Tera Mtembu - Inexperienced but talented.
5. Pieter-Steph du Toit - First choice
4. Etienne Oosthuizen - Untested
3. Jannie du Plessis - First choice
2. Bismarck du Plessis - Best hooker in world rugby
1. Tendai Mtawarira - First choice

That's a really decent Sharks ream. I love Mvovo when he's going well

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

BT Sport Commentator - "And here's the Sharks cave or wherever it is Sharks live"

I can pretty much guarantee you Sharks don't live in caves.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Treehouses, isn't it?


These Sharks forwards are immense in the defensive line, Sarries runners aren't even rocking them backwards in the slightest. If anything they're losing ground with every contact.
Reckon any of them fancy switching to a different "Sharks" side?

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Strettle manhandled there by the beast.

These Sharks forwards are immense in the defensive line, Sarries runners aren't even rocking them backwards in the slightest. If anything they're losing ground with every contact.
Reckon any of them fancy switching to a different "Sharks" side?

Yep and Sarries are not used to such ferocity around the fringes - they look like lost children at the moment, not going anywhere at all. It's also amusing seeing any sarries back attempting the outrageous step you see from better players and just getting smashed by the sharks line.

I'm enjoying subjecting the South Africans to our terrible referees

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Burger is well up for this, never seen him so....abrasive.
Needs to cut out grabbing people round the neck though, he's done it a number of sides.

Who's the other commentator? Don't recognise his voice.

Also, is this televised in SA do they have the bt sport lot commentating?

 

[Draggs]

When is the ref going to realise two teams are playing?
what ****ing dumbasses our forwards are.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

That awkward moment when the commentators confuse the only two black guys on the field..

 

[Draggs]

We kill he cards and then throw that ****. ****ing wise up.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Charlie boyyyyyyyyyy



Edit:
Missed the actual incident, but I've just switched back and seen Mvovo on the floor with the medics and a neck brace - hope he's OK!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Very good try by sharks that!

Edit: and that one too!

 

[Kevin Robarts]

Saffir commentators

Burger is well up for this, never seen him so....abrasive.
Needs to cut out grabbing people round the neck though, he's done it a number of sides.

Who's the other commentator? Don't recognise his voice.

Also, is this televised in SA do they have the bt sport lot commentating?

The guys in RSA that have dstv (our equivalent of Sky for about 40 pounds a month) get all major rugby and football matches.

It was South African commentators on the broadcast.