“Don’t save your money for the final because this is already our final.” That was the wake-up call from Sharks coach John Plumtree to the team’s supporters ahead of Saturday’s Currie Cup semi-final against the Cheetahs in Durban.
“We need all the support that we can get. It does not help people want to come and watch the final. We may not even get there,” said Plumtree.
“If we don’t approach the game against the Cheetahs like a final, there won’t be one for us. That is the reality staring us in the face.”
Christo Buchner writes on News 24 that Plumtree said his team will have the right to play a final at home after topping the log, “but now we have to earn the right by winning our semi-final”.
“I don’t want to hear any excuses. It’s a case of all or nothing.”
He believes the game against the Cheetahs will be much tougher than last year’s semi-final against the Lions.
“For me this is our final. It does not help we get carried away with the thought of a home final and then we lose the semi-final,” he said.
“Then that first place on the log will mean nothing. I believe there is little to choose between the four teams in the semi-finals. Any one of them can win the Currie Cup.
“We need a big crowd against the Cheetahs to spur us on. If that does not happen, playing at home won’t be an advantage. That is precisely what home advantage should be. The atmosphere should be so intimidating for the opponent that it should be worth points to you before you even run on the field.”
Plumtree said there were good signs against Griquas.
“Things are looking better on attack, though our defence was poor. We know we can defend a lot better than that,” he said.
“We are not taking anything for granted. The Cheetahs have a very good attacking team that also defends well. After a slow start to the season, they have discovered what is required to win games and are applying it well.
“I’m only focusing on what needs to be done to win the game and to have the team ready when they run on the field.”

If I was ANYWHERE in RSA, I’d have my travel arrangements sorted to get to Durban.
GO Sharks!! but more importantly,
GO TO THE GAME PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
that sounds like not many tickkets sold 🙁
@rekinek (the battle has begun…) (Comment 2) :
It’s only the Cheetahs. 😉 😳
@KSA Shark © (Comment 3) : 😆
lets hope free staters not a travelling crowd and there won’t be too much orange.
@rekinek (the battle has begun…) (Comment 4) :
Venter trailers galore will be heading to Dbn this weekend. 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 5) : o o 😮
So what’s he saying? It’s the last game of the season for the Sharks? 😈 😛
@McLovin (Comment 7) : no, he says we will not be complacent
@McLovin (Comment 7) :
That was my first thought as well…
@McLovin (Comment 7) :
@wpw (Comment 9) :
What he’s saying is the Dbn crowd are awesome and it would really help if theyr were there in numbers to see their team perform. 😛
I know what he’s trying to say..
But it just sounds very bad..
But i dont like this statement at all…thats loser-talk.. 👿 “We need all the support that we can get. It does not help people want to come and watch the final. We may not even get there,” said Plumtree.
0_0
Sounds like he is preparing you folks for the worst
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 12) :
I think he knows the Sharks have a reputation for choking… they are after all the favourites aren’t they??
@wpw (Comment 13) : Indeed. Got the house boarded up in case of the worst 😈
Expect serivce delivery portests in Durban all next week
😈
@wpw (Comment 13) : @Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 14) :
Grootbekke! 😆
@GI Ice (Comment 15) : Its a direct result of the panic and lack of calm being displayed by the coach and his supporters. 😈
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 12) : i don’t think any amount of preparation would do and plum knows it .
it must be a twisted way of talking cheetahs up
@rekinek (the battle has begun…) (Comment 17) :
K*K way… 🙄
Well with all that’s going on in the media and speculation etc…the Sharks are beginning to be the Underdogs!! Suites me fine!! 😆
I see the ladies around here like their military uniforms, and they say that if women ruled the world there would be no wars.
@Salmonoid (Comment 19) :
Who said THAT??? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
😆
@Salmonoid (Comment 19) :
If women ruled the world we would be in some seriaaas shit!! 😈
@wpw (Comment 21) :
You bet your A$$, yes!
The world would be a better place, but the men would be in serious shit!!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 1) :
At least THIS year the final does not fall on the am day as my daughters school concert like last year! LOL
It’s actually perfect – my 1st “free” weekend in about 2 or so months!!
They would start by banning rugby. 😐
@GI Ice (Now its WAR!) (Comment 22) : Nah, i suspect women would discover despite their bitching and moaning that we are better company than our reputation allows for 😆
@Salmonoid (Comment 24) :
Not on MY watch , they won’t!! 😉
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 25) :
Clearly you are not married yet!! 🙄
@wpw (Comment 21) : @Salmonoid (Comment 24) : @Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 25) :
Actually – I dont know why we are having this conversation…Woman already rule the world…we just have men in Line Managment positions to do the dirty work!!
(Pity they are not always doing such a good job..) 🙄
@wpw (Comment 27) : Struggling? 😈
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 29) :
@GI Ice (Now its WAR!) (Comment 28) :
Is that you Godzille?? 😈
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 29) :
Not at all dude… not at all!!
My wife knows who wears the pants!!! Even though it is a size 40. 😯
@GI Ice (Now its WAR!) (Comment 23) :
Obviously your daughter goes to school in Gauteng?
They must plan a lot of things on the CC final weekend. they KNOW everybody in the region will have nothing to do. 😛
@KSA Shark © (Comment 32) : Well I know Unisa have no regard for the finals weekend. I have exams on 2/11 ! How unfair is that?!
@wpw (Comment 31) : Your wife wears a size 40 pants?
@BoetaC (Comment 34) :
I know… 🙄
She keeps me warm in winter and gives me shade in summer!!
@BoetaC (Comment 34) :
@KSA Shark © (Comment 32) :
JIP… 🙄
@Original Pierre (Comment 33) :
But the Finals aren’t on 2/11? ❓
@KSA Shark © (Comment 37) :
OH FOOK they are on that weekend. 😯 😯
WTF is there a two week break?
I will be missing the Final as well. 👿 I will be in BKK
@KSA Shark © (Comment 38) :
Its fine dude… Your team won’t be playing in it anyway!!
GO SHARKS !!! >–^-> !!!

CHEERS ALL!!
GO SHARKIES AND I OPE THE WP CAN COME TO THE PARTY TOO!
@wpw (Comment 39) : Arrogant paloeka 🙄
@wpw (Comment 39) : 😈 YOu need a bigger spoon 😆
Wow talk about a defeatest attitude!
Go Plum – you know just how to inspire the players and fans!
@Morné (Comment 44) : And that’s no darn “maybe”
@Charlie (Comment 42) :
It’s not arrogance, it’s a mental disability. 😛
Hy’s nie windgat nie, hy’s dof
@Morné (Comment 44) :
I reckon he REALLY inspired the Cheetahs by picking Rory and Strauss in the match 22.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 46) :
Better dof than bald!!! 😆
@wpw (Comment 48) :
Hehehhehehe.
Daar is nie pille vir DOM nie. 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 49) :
Pille??
So jy gebruik pille??
Salusa 45?? Viagra??
Watte pille?? 😈
@wpw (Comment 50) :
Ek soek Pille vir hare. 😆
Watte Pille, werk nie, hulle absorbeer net water. 😛
@KSA Shark © (Comment 51) : Hey there KSA…I see you on form today 😀
@Me2 aka Mama Shark (Comment 52) :
Hey.
not very busy so i have lots of time to think up shit. 😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 53) : uh oh… 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 54) : You have been scarse lately…new job keeping you busy?
@Me2 aka Mama Shark (Comment 55) : who me? I’m usually around
@robdylan (Comment 56) : Sorry..senior moment….you always around…unfortunately 😉 😉 😉
Cheers all…GGGOOO SSSHHHAAARRRKKKSSSS!!!
@robdylan (Comment 56) :
😆
If it was meant for me.
NO, the new Job is a doddle, but no SW at work 🙁 I get home at 3:30 in the afternoon and that is my day completed, NO work to be done at home. 😎 it gives me more time to train though as Kette and the Kettelets only get home at 4:45.
The REAL problem is having a Laptop that is now connected to a LAN cable and not operating to well Wirelessly. So I have to come and sit infront of the PC to use it and can’t do it on the run around the house anymore. 🙁
@KSA Shark © (Comment 59) : did the proxy site not work for you?
Dick Muir offered Lions DOR
@provincejoulekkading (Comment 61) : you gotta slap a great big “according to Voldy” sticker on that one, though…
@robdylan (Comment 62) : True
@robdylan (Comment 60) :
Nope. 🙁
iI typed Sharksworld.co.za in the box and it still came back as Websense 🙁
@KSA Shark © (Comment 64) : that’s pretty sad… it works for other people
@provincejoulekkading (Comment 63) : hold your horses… it’s been denied by both parties.
Or rather, both sides have denied that anything has been finalised
@KSA Shark © (Comment 38) : shocking 😉
@wpw (Comment 39) : don’t ya know that KSA supports Sharks not Wp
Wll. now. – Plummie (of he Knows best aka as mr Price – buy two get one free fame) warned you guys – empty stadium at the semis and none sold for the finals. Boo Hoo 😛
I take it u a Bulls supporter??
Enjoying your gloating i see…
Very mature of you… 🙄
@rekinek (the battle has begun…) (Comment 68) :
In the end I coulda supported either and I wouldn’t have anyone to support in the final.
@wpw (Comment 70) : Not gloating – just giving back some of the “insults” one has to endure 😀
Plumo, U JINXED IT 👿
@JarsonX (Insomniac) (Comment 73) : he did… idiot!
I wonder if he picked the right team and more importantly for the sharks, is what are the prospects for next years Super 14, The Bok frontrow got hammered, if the rumours are true and you do get Aberts That will help but your pack is too light and needs some beef??
@JarsonX (Insomniac) (Comment 73) : in the hindsight he must be a prophet
@rekinek (the battle has begun…) (Comment 76) : but not the bearer of good news thats for sure, was a but upsetting that the Sharktank was not full yesterday maybe that tells a story in itself!!
He Whindy!!
Congrats with the appointment of your new DOR. I am sure he will do a fine job and hopefully you guys are more competitive next year. Except against Province of course… 😉
@wpw (Comment 78) : Of Course, even my mate Earl has been playing well of late it will be interesting to see how he goes with someone positive like Dick around. I am very hopeful for next year, however, I was when Loffie first took over, so we won’t count any chickens just yet. I do think Dick is a more professional coach though!!
Liewe bliksem ek het dit geweet!!!. Dankie sharks vir ‘n wonderlike seisoen wat binne ‘n oomblik weg gepis word!!!.
Ja ou john plumtree, jy praat die groot game maar dis elke keer een of ander kak storie nadietyd. Ek is nou gatvol daarvoor om my naam as ondersteuner gat te maak danksy julle losers!!!.
Tot volgende jaar julle useless bliksems!!!.
From: One very pissed-of sharks supporter!!!!!.
@The Shark (Comment 80) : Weet hoe jy voel, ons almal voel so. Dis regtig tyd dat iets gebeur en vinnig ook. 👿
@The Shark (Comment 80) : pissed off? You don’t say… that didn’t come across in your post at all 🙂
@Whindy (Comment 77) : me thinks that unfortunately the fans were too sure of the final.
i start to think that there are more sharks fans in gauteng than in durban
I guess today I will need to wait longer for my new pic approval 😉
@rekinek (retreat -ing) (Comment 83) : It really was unbelievable to see and half empty Sharks stadium for a semi-final 🙁
Here we go telling the rest of the world that the Curriecup is the best provincial tournament in the world. But we cannot even fill up a stadium for the semi-finals.Very sad.
@GI Ice (Comment 11) :
You see…
@The Shark (Comment 80) :
Where’s Rachel…thats the type of comment I can see him make.. 😆