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Sharks Lions Twitter feud erupts over van Rensburg 'fake news'

Rohan Janse Van Rensburg

The Sharks have called out Super Rugby franchise rivals the Lions over an erroneous tweet which suggested one of their players was heading to the South African based Sharks.

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The Lions released a statement saying that centre Janse Van Rensburg was being released to the C Cell Sharks, when in fact he was being signed by the Sale Sharks in the Gallagher Premiership.

On Tuesday the Sale Sharks announced that they had captured Van Rensburg.

Both Sale Sharks and the Lions have agreed that Rohan can join the English side on a permanent basis after his successful loan spell with the club during the 2017/18 season. The player is contracted until November 2018 however the Lions have agreed to release him five months early.

However the Lions posted that he was being released to the C Cell Sharks in South Africa, which the Sharks were quick to pounce on, posting:

“Although we think he is an awesome player, @LionsRugbyCo centre Rohan Janse Van Rensburg will not be joining #OurSharks squad, but is rather going to the @SaleSharksRugby for their next season. #fakenews”

Things heated up when the Lions replied “Anyone willing to explain to the @TheSharksZA what #FakeNews is? Don’t believe everything you read, especially on social media. #NoFakeNewsHere”

The Sharks replied: “If you can’t trust yourself @LionsRugbyCo, who can you trust? ?”

The Lions replied: “Touché, @TheSharksZA. Pity he still didn’t pick you ????”

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It all appeared to come to a truce of sorts.

“Breakups are tough hey @LionsRugbyCo? Luckily we’ve got our centre baes sorted already ?”

The 23-year-old Springbok began his professional career with the Blue Bulls in 2013, making seven appearances and scoring four tries before moving to the Lions rugby set-up where he was a key figure for the Golden Lions in their Currie Cup campaigns.

A breakthrough season in 2016 saw Van Rensburg cross the line 10 times in just 17 games which drew the attention of the rugby world and, in particular, Steve Diamond.

Arriving at Sale in November on a short-term contract as cover for the injured Johnny Leota and Will Addison, Rohan made an instant impact, scoring 3 tries in 8 games. More importantly, the young Springbok added a much-needed physical presence to the Sharks backline.

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On his return to South Africa he was quickly slotted into the Lions starting XV for the Super Rugby season, showing his versatility and power, playing on the wing before being side-lined with an ankle injury vs the Stormers in May.

Van Rensburg will be released from his Super Rugby contract to join up with Sale Sharks for Pre-Season in advance of the 2018/19 Gallagher Premiership campaign.

Sharks Director of Rugby Steve Diamond is very pleased to announce the signing, he said:

“I am delighted to have secured the services of Rohan for the next three years. He made a huge impact when he joined midway through last season and is another building block in our desire to be a top four team.”

Rohan admitted the chance to link up with Sale and close friend Faf De Klerk was an opportunity he couldn’t turn down. He said:
“This was probably one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make so far in my career. However, having spent a short time with the Sharks last season, I know where the club wants to go and what everyone at Sale is building towards. It is something I definitely want to be a part of.”

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit
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