Hooker set for hybrid role amid Sharks' casualty list?
INJURY UPDATE: The Sharks could find themselves in a loose forward crisis following their 30-19 United Rugby Championship win over the Stormers in Cape Town.
Sharks head coach JP Pietersen delivered bleak news regarding his loose forward stocks, with Manu Tshituka [21st minute], Phepsi Buthelezi [47th minute] and replacement Siya Kolisi [71st minute] all leaving the pitch injured.
Pietersen said he’ll have to count the cost of the number of loose forwards he lost in the clash against the Stormers, and will manage his squad’s load strategically ahead of the rematch in Durban.
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“I must just go check if I’ve got players left. I think I lost all three loose forwards, so firstly I must go check if there are players available,” Pietersen chirped.
“But that’s a South African derby. It’s physical and hard, and we love playing it.
“The turnaround will be short. We’ll refresh and recover on Monday.
“At least we’re playing the same team, so we don’t have to change a lot of the game plan, but maybe just make a couple of tweaks here and there.
“We’ll give it a full go again. The Stormers will want to come up [to Durban] to prove a point.
“The challenge in rugby is always if you can double up [a good performance].”
Pietersen explained the severity of his current crop of casualties and quipped that Springbok hybrid Andre Esterhuizen could pack down at flanker as well as Ethan Hooker should they run out of loose forward stocks.
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“Bongi [Mbonambi] suffered a calf injury [during the warm-up]. He’s in contention for this [coming] weekend again, but we’ll make a call later in the week.
“Siya [Kolisi] from what I’ve heard hurt his hamstring, Manu [Tshituka] rolled his ankle, and Phepsi [Buthelezi] injured his toe.
“I don’t know the severity of Phepsi’s toe and Manu’s ankle.
“Matt Romao is also out. He injured his shoulder, so we lost four loose forwards in two weeks.
“We’ll look at the stocks. We’ve got Tino [Mavesere] that’s back, Corne Rahl that’s there, and we’ve got André Esterhuizen and maybe Ethan Hooker,” Pietersen said lightheartedly.
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