South Africa enforcer Eben Etzebeth is set to step into a temporary coaching role with the Sharks after being\u00a0deregistered from the squad\u00a0during his suspension for the eye-gouging incident involving Wales flanker Alex Mann.<\/p>\n
Join our Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp community<\/a>\u00a0for all the latest news direct to your phone.<\/p>\n The switch comes as head coach\u00a0John Plumtree prepares to step aside\u00a0following this weekend\u2019s Champions Cup showdown with Toulouse, leaving the Sharks reshuffling both on and off the field.<\/p>\n Etzebeth was hit with a\u00a012-week ban, though he continues to deny any intent to make contact with Mann\u2019s eye. The suspension was later\u00a0cut by six weeks\u00a0after a disciplinary panel considered, among other factors, a glowing character reference from All Blacks legend\u00a0Ardie Savea.<\/p>\n Despite the reduction, Etzebeth will still miss all four of the Sharks\u2019 Champions Cup pool matches and\u00a0eight URC fixtures, ruling him out until well into the spring.<\/p>\n With his absence creating a squeeze in their 42-man squad, the Sharks opted to\u00a0deregister the Springbok lock, freeing up space for additional cover during the long ban.<\/p>\n The plan is to\u00a0re-register Etzebeth for the knockout stages\u00a0should the side reach the Champions Cup play-offs in April. Until then, the World Cup winner will be lending his expertise to the coaching group while serving his suspension.<\/p>\n Richie McCaw\u2019s All-time 15 is incredible \u2013 Two Boks included\u00a0<\/p>\n Delving into the archives of rugby greatness, the 40-year-old All Black icon doesn\u2019t throw out praise lightly\u2014his picks reflect the highest regard for players who truly left a mark on the game.<\/p>\n Born on December 31, 1980, in Oamaru, New Zealand, McCaw is widely recognized as one of rugby\u2019s finest openside flankers. Over a glittering career, he captained the All Blacks to back-to-back Rugby World Cup triumphs in 2011 and 2015, solidifying his legacy as one of the sport\u2019s greatest leaders. Known for his grit, intelligence, and unmatched work ethic, McCaw left an indelible mark on rugby history.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s how his all-time dream team shapes up, featuring his handpicked rugby royalty.<\/p>\n The Back-Three: Pure Firepower<\/p>\n 15. Christian Cullen (New Zealand) 14. Julian Savea (New Zealand) 11. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand) McCaw on Lomu: \u201cHe is one of the absolute superstars of rugby. If you go somewhere rugby isn\u2019t well-known, Jonah is the one name they know. It\u2019s really sad he passed away at just 40. He was a legend of the All Blacks and rugby as a whole.\u201d<\/p>\n The Centres: Power Meets Precision<\/p>\n 13. Ma\u2019a Nonu (New Zealand) 12. Jonny Wilkinson (England) McCaw on Wilkinson: CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO<\/a><\/p>\n Like this:<\/p>\n Like Loading…<\/p>\n
Known as the \u201cPaekakariki Express,\u201d Cullen was one of rugby\u2019s most electrifying fullbacks, scoring 46 tries in 58 tests for the All Blacks.<\/p>\n
Dubbed \u201cThe Bus,\u201d Savea was a dominant winger with 46 tries in 54 tests, including a record-equalling eight tries at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.<\/p>\n
Rugby\u2019s first global superstar, Lomu is remembered for his barnstorming runs and 37 tries in 63 tests. He famously demolished England with four tries in the 1995 World Cup semi-final.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I first became an All Black, he was in the team. To play alongside a guy you\u2019ve watched as a young fella was pretty amazing. He made me look silly in training more than once.<\/p>\n
A powerhouse with over 100 caps, Nonu combined brute strength with silky offloads, becoming a linchpin of the All Blacks\u2019 midfield.<\/p>\n
The hero of England\u2019s 2003 Rugby World Cup win, Wilkinson\u2019s pinpoint kicking and defensive prowess made him one of rugby\u2019s all-time greats.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019ll go down as one of the greats of world rugby.\u201d<\/p>\n