John Plumtree’s proposed sabbatical will not be as long as initially planned, according to Sharks CEO Brian van Zyl and the former loose forward will indeed be the head coach when the team’s Currie Cup campaign kicks off later this year.
This would appear to be a rather drastic change of plan, as we’d been led to believe that Plumtree would be given the entire Currie Cup campaign off to go and ‘find himself’, work on his people skills, learn what a backline is and the like. Hugh Reece-Edwards was alleged to be lined up as stand-in head coach, but it’s now unclear exactly what role he will play, if any.
From an outsider’s perspective, it’s certainly very hard to discern any measurable impact of his on the performance of the Sharks backline. Then again, we’re not sure exactly how much input he’s had with Chris Boyd also in the picture.
There are two ways to look at this develpment, of course and it’s safe to say that I haven’t quite made up my own mind yet. I was really keen to see a new coach with fresh ideas do some new things with a new bunch of players this Currie Cup. Plumtree’s conservativism is completely at odds with the way the Sharks ought to be playing, in my view and I really wanted to see a more ‘thinking outside of the box’ philosophy.
Then again, Plumtree has won this cup before and I certainly won’t complain if he does it again, regardless of the approach he chooses to take.
One thing is for sure… There are very few dull moments where the Sharks are concerned. Insert a joke about the backline play here if you want to!
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any news on the sharks team Rob?
How is Smit doing?
perhaps sharks will get jdv? Although i see today he was singing the praises of the stormers….so i am not sure….Sharks must do something about the 10….12 and 13 issue….missing Adi big time imo.
Backline for the Currie Cup:
9.Kockott
10.Lambie
11.Mvovo
12.Swanepoel
13.Murray
14.Ndungane/Vulindlu/Richards
15.Ludik
Super 15 2011:
9.Pienaar
10.Lambie
11.Mvovo
12.Steyn (Rather spend the cash on him, than getting Butch back)
13.Murray
14.Pietersen
15.Ludik
@MerckZ (Comment 3) : That’s a pretty good team…and just because we get one player back…just shows you how much we miss steyntjie…or barritt.
I don’t know about murray at 13. never rated him really.
Except when he was playing with Barritt.
@grant10 (Comment 1) : Doesn’t really matter what team the Sharks pick….the Stormers should take it.
@Pokkel (Comment 7) : No.
Adi will surely be back for the Currie Cup 😉
@Letgo (Comment 6) : they were very good combo.
Mmm not sure what to make of this. I don`t think I really want Plum as coach anymore. Had my heart set on Jake White and Eddie to be honest. 😥
With the kind of talent Plum had at his disposal I feel he should`ve accomplished more.
Won`t be surprised if sharks players start leaving us now . . .
The Lions can thank Jake White for their current situation. Maybe as a coach he would be more successful than as an advisor.
@Salmonoid (Comment 12) : Like you said, Jake never coached them. . .
@Original Pierre (Comment 13) : ….nor anyone else since 2007.
Seems no one wants him as a coach anymore.
@Salmonoid (Comment 14) : So we might save on his salary if he doesn`t have other offers
@Original Pierre (Comment 15) : You forgot one very important thing though, Jake lives in the Cape and would surely never contemplate moving any where else.
@MerckZ (Comment 3) : agree with you 1000% and agreat team
And i hope its a lesson to our coaches don’t let our guys go off like that not even for money, rather get somebody to sponser more money than to let them go for more abroad 🙂
@Charlie (Comment 9) : gee can’t wait and bring back the CC and put it right in the sharks tank cement it to and gee it will be ours forever and ever
@Original Pierre (Comment 11) : Don’t let the devil out now , but me feel the same way White is a much better coach as plum will ever be
@Salmonoid (Comment 16) : maybe or maybe not if you don’t ask well then we will never get i’m afraid 🙂
Read this, as in read my lips (Modified from a Quote of a certain cigar loving American President: “Its not the coach, stupid”
The Frog in a slowly boiling pot is a great analogy for the Sharks Admin under Van Zyl and the amateur cane-farming President in his pocket.
Before long the pot is boiled and the Sharks are really farked. Its happened to bigger organizations under better leadership…
So hopefully some big, hard decisions are made this year about future meaningful and realistic direction for the Sharks other than the current mediocre malaise.
Some wold say get rid of the coach. Better idea, get rid of the President, CEO, Director of Rugby…
Good strategic and operational decisions can then be made with an innovative, new administration.
Sharks are no longer the benchmark… Tells you something, doesn’t it…
@Heavens Game (Comment 21) : you have some strong opinions… ones I’ve seen expressed elsewhere too.
@robdylan (Comment 22) : The power of new media… a different take
@Heavens Game (Comment 23) : forgive me for being sceptical when I see keo comments replayed here verbatim.
Why skeptical? The comment, the subject?
Okay I’ve been scarce lately, but what sabbatical?
If he coaches until the ned of the S14 and then coaches the CC side there IS no sabbatical?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 26) : a few months ago, the Sharks said that Plumtree would not be the Currie Cup coach, opening up speculation that Reece-Edwards would take over.
@Heavens Game (Comment 25) : again, forgive me if I’m pre-judging you unfairly, but I’ve seen some of your comments on Keo and to say that they would be unwelcome here is something of an understatement
@robdylan (Comment 28) : 😉 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 28) : Why unwelcome?
Self-censorship or stupidity…
@Heavens Game (Comment 30) : the fact that we don’t get into personal attacks and childish name-calling here. You seem to do lot of that over the other side.