When the Sharks won the Currie cup in 2008, there was a noticeable lift in their game with all the players seeming to be more focused, more hungry which meant they were more successful. This was attributed to John Plumtree getting the team to “play for the jersey” and play for each other.
Consequently the team spirit was incredibly high and the team marched pretty much unstoppably to the Currie cup title.
While I will not say that the trophy is in the cabinet already (that mistake was made in the 2009 Super 14) as things can change on a weekly basis in rugby but the team does look in dangerously good spirits.
What do I mean by dangerously good spirits? Well, the Sharks have had a strong team from the Ian Macintosh era onwards, except perhaps when Kevin Putt was coach and journeymen were brought into the squad, and the big issue was getting the players heads right. When a team of this quality in terms of playing resources gets their heads right, the results are incredible.
The gameplan of John Plumtree from 2009 onwards was never going to work with the new interpretations at the ruck and the coach swallowing his pride and giving the players a mandate to hold onto the ball needs to be applauded. This is a most effective gameplan and as a direct result the players are enjoying their rugby. Added on to that Plum has got the players to “play for each other” as he says it, seeing players who were previously lambasted for being average blossoming under the new game plan has been great to watch and the character shown in bouncing back from the Griquas game and going unbeaten for the next 6 games has been even better.
The Currie cup is not won and the formidable challenge of the Griquas comes to Durban this weekend not to mention the two best sides in this year’s Super 14 who will have their Boks back come semi-final time also challenging for the title, John Plumtree and his management as well as the senior players need to keep fostering this team spirit. Sharks supporters can only thank said management team and senior players for what they have done and urge them to keep going.
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Good article!
And I agree with you, we always moan and bitch when things go wrong, now that things are going great, we need to give Plum and co a hand and say well done..
I was a bigdoubter at the beginning of the season (just have a look at my fantasy league team), but it has been amazing to see them win every home game so far, and do it well!
I promised not to get my hopes up, but Plum seems to have changed and he deserves the credit for it.
My spirit is right up there, I have this feeling of being unstoppable! 😛
On his way to becoming an institution and absolute legend at the Tank! Plum you biscuit! Keep it up!
Heard someone say the other day: “Id rather be in a bad company with good people then a good company with bad people” This rings true in DBN, each member of staff – no matter if we sometime disagree with their choices – brings something of quality to the setup and the hardwork is now starting to come together for the
players, staff, and us the supporters.
Keep it up!!
Sharks for life!
Your article just proofs again how important the coach are. This is the same team that looked a little clueless at the start of this year, same players, except for a few.
Plumtree deserves the credit here. We dished it out to him when things were going badly and deservedly so, but now he has turned it around with a couple of good selection choices and a smart change in game plan. Congratulations Plum, this is a sign of a good coach. It’s good to know he signed another 3 year contract.
…maybe Pdiv should start taking some of the responsibility now and start working on a turnaround for the Boks!
@Letgo (Comment 5) : I am very pleased that Plum and the coaching team have changed the style and are playing more positive rugby. It is working and the kudos must go to the coaches and then to the players for executing the plays. I am looking forward to the Sharks improving and am excited for next years Super 15.
Good article.
Plumtree has learnt to bend with the wind a bit now, and all credit to him. The willingness to risk new faces has unearthed talent like Mvovo, Lambie and Mcleod. Long may he continue this positive strategy of playing with the ball as well.
@Big Fish (Comment 7) :
Get him in charge of the national team ! 😎
Plum is a very good coach and he’s giving our national coaching staff a lesson in adaptability – not to mention humility… It’s not surprising that his good mate and fellow NZ native is doing a more than commendable job with the usually hapless Lions. What is it about the current contingency of NZ coaches that makes them so resourceful under the new laws? No doubt PDV would claim a conspiracy somewhere, but I think it may have to do a greater willingness to accept the fact that rugby is indeed a game susceptible to change.
@frikie se pa (Comment 9) : new zealand rugby men seem to have it all this year, well after the super 14 anyway
@frikie se pa (Comment 9) : Adaptability is definitely the keyword there. Our gameplan needs to evolve as our opponents find holes in our tactics…
all i can say is Happy Days!! i like the type of rugby we are playing. the mix of keeping it with the forwards and using our wings is really paying off. oom stef is proving to be a well deserved leader of this team! credit must go to him to maintain the calmness on the field.
@Mole (Comment 11) : dude i really am smaaking your profile pic.
Rob where are the player ratings? Weve been waiting since saturday!
I.ve been a big plum basher ,in my defence for good reason but I have to say plums done very well to get the sharks right ,if he gets the blame he should get the applause but I have to bring up the fact that plums coaching style or game plan doesn,t translate to super 15 ,Plums done well but there alot of problems that are coming down the line that need to be addressed now
Good arti war 1. I am also a bit (no, a lot) ‘weary’ of the Bulls and Stormers boks returning come semi time. (Maybe a bit more ‘weary’ for the Bulls though.) I think they will once again pose the biggest threat in three / four weeks time.