Pienaar by the end of the year?

[Bogbunny]

From PR forum:

Various media reports over the weekend seem to confirm two separate stories that we have been tracking for some time. If both are true, then neither Ruan Pienaar nor John Smit will play for the Sharks again.

Thanks to a tip-off from our friends over at the Front Row Union, we revealed some months ago that Pienaar was rumoured to be in discussions with Ulster Rugby Club, the same team that team mate Johann Muller is on his way to join. The negotiations seemed to have stalled, with money being a major sticking point, but then appeared to get off the ground again recently. A report in a Sunday newspaper, written by none other than the ultra-reliable Mike Greenaway, indicates that the Ulstermen have been successful in pulling off yet another raid and that Pienaar will join them once his Sharks contract expires at the end of the year.
John Smit, on the other hand, despite numerous protestations to the contrary (as well as motherhood-and-apple-pie type statements in his book about how he could never play for anyone other than the Sharks), looks set to swap the black and white for the white and red strip of the Lions. We’ve had information coming through quite regularly over the last few months that Dick Muir has been dangling the carrot of a player-coach role. Smit’s Sharks contract is also up at the end of the 2010 season and while the confirmation of this story seems a little less concrete, certainly the buzz down in Lions country is that they have got their man.

An article in the Beeld this weekend broke the story, but was annoyingly devoid of any details.

Assuming that neither Smit nor Pienaar play any Currie Cup rugby this year, we may well have seen both players in a Sharks jersey for the last time.


Please God.

[The FRU]

We've added a little more here http://thefru.co.uk/blog/2010/05/24/its-pienaar-folks/ but the best bet is October

[Big-al]

FRU - Who where the other 'misunderstood' scrumhalves?

If true will Pienaar be here fit and ready for round 1 of the Heineken cup?

[nonplussed]

Blair and Peel allegedly both played the UR hierarchy to get increased pay offers from their clubs.

[Big-al]

Blair and Peel allegedly both played the UR hierarchy to get increased pay offers from their clubs.

Blair is overrated nowadays, Peel would have been good but if I had to choose any of the 3 it would be Ruan

[Rooster]

One huge advantage Pienaar has over Peel or Blair is his goal kicking.

[nonplussed]

One huge advantage Pienaar has over Peel or Blair is his goal kicking.

and ability to play 10 or even 15 if necessary

[ColinM]

One huge advantage Pienaar has over Peel or Blair is his goal kicking.

and ability to play 10 or even 15 if necessary

considering we have 3 young nines, of which there is a high possibility one or two of them will come good then Pienaar at 10 would be a great option

[Rob6]

One huge advantage Pienaar has over Peel or Blair is his goal kicking.

and ability to play 10 or even 15 if necessary

We could do with him playing all 3....at the same time..... if only!!!

[Gary]

Pienaar only wants to play at 9 - will probably be written into his contract!!

[Gary]

For goodness sake man! I wasn't serious about the contract..simply pointing out how determined the guy is not to play out-half.

[Big-al]

According to a post on the other thread it says he aint coming. Well that

[tomodaman_2]

What other thread would this be?

[Big-al]

The Rush thread.

Someone said he was talking to the 'dogs' about it

[tomodaman_2]

The Rush thread.

Someone said he was talking to the 'dogs' about it

Had a flick through the Rush thread and saw nothing of the sort.

Did I miss something?