The big boned non-tackling Andy Goode who managed a full 7 minutes last week before lynching Dan Carter and told to go get a haircut will play flyhalf as Ruan Pienaar replaces Kockott at scrum half. While I have always believed Pienaar belongs at no.9 I am dazed at how come Plumtree has so much faith in Goode. Surprise us please!
Riaan Swanepoel who managed to gift an intercept pass last week is rewarded with a start too as he and Adri Jacobs look to do what Waylon Murray couldn't. However the big change is Bismark du Plessis going to the bench and John Smit filling the role of hooker. I have got to admit this is a better move but why has it taken 3 matches to get to this decision? The plan is obviously to bring Bismark back when the game is all but sealed for the Sharks, but there are signs of desperation creeping in to the selection process and for sharks sake I hope it works.
Keegan Daniel plays musical chairs with Jacques Botes which will only be his second start this season but Daniel for all his critics hardly ever has a bad game and along with the free running Kankowski and Willem Alberts the loose forwards are probably at their fullest strength.
So will these changes do the trick? The Sharks fans can only watch and hope come 08.40 on Saturday.
Sharks: 15 Stefan Terblanche, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Adrian Jacobs, 12 Riaan Swanepoel, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Keegan Daniel, 5 Johann Muller, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 John Smit (c), 1 Deon Carstens. Replacements: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Jacques Botes, 21 Rory Kockott, 22 Waylon Murray.
Date: Saturday, March 6
Venue: Sydney Football Stadium
Kick-off: 19.40 (08.40 GMT)
Referee: Paul Marks (Australia)
Assistant referees: Nathan Pearce (Australia), Steve Hardy (Australia)
TMO: Matt Goddard (Australia)
