Blood in the Tank — Sharks recognise a 'multifaceted' problem as Plumtree and Powell set for new roles

The Sharks will conduct a forensic analysis of their business as they come to grips with a disappointing start to their United Rugby Championship campaign, with coach John Plumtree and Director of Rugby Neil Powell hardly the only ones going under the spotlight.

Plumtree would have every right to feel hard done by if he were the only one held responsible — apart from Powell, who is to take up a new position further down the ladder — and it is significant that a coach of his experience is to be kept on in a “mentoring and advisory role” at the union he has served so loyally.

It has been confirmed that Plumtree will step down as head coach at the end of the season.

The Sharks said in a release: “The leadership team has conducted a comprehensive review of The Sharks’ rugby structures, engaging multiple stakeholders across all levels of the operation.

“Management’s assessment is that the problem is multi-faceted, and we are clear that the long-term success of The Sharks will be best served by tackling issues across the organisation rather than relying on simple fixes.”

In some ways, Plumtree has been made the scapegoat because he has been working in a flawed set-up with not a great deal of support and a player roster top-heavy with Springboks, while many of the emerging youngsters are not yet up to URC standard.

When the Springboks are away, Plumtree has been left with a squad ill-equipped to win in the URC.

Also, some of Plumtree’s assistants are of questionable ability. The lack of growth in the Sharks’ attack is just one area of concern.

It is refreshing that owner Marco Masotti and CEO Sean Bryans have recognised that the problem is “multi-faceted.”

Bryans commented: “Our performances this season have not been good enough, and we owe it to our fans and stakeholders to acknowledge and take full responsibility — no excuses. That accountability sits across the entire organisation — from management and players, to myself as CEO.

“As an ownership group and leadership team, we remain ambitious about the future of The Sharks and, over the coming months, no stone will be left unturned as we look to build a high-performance environment capable of delivering the success that our players are capable of and that our fans and partners deserve.”

I find it encouraging that Plumtree will see out a season that has barely started — there are still seven months to go, and who knows what can transpire on the field between now and June. The resilient Kiwi might yet prove a point, and I think  Masotti and Bryans would be happy with that.

To support Plumtree, the Sharks will engage a technical coach consultant “as a matter of urgency.”

Personally — and this is off my own bat — I would not be surprised if Brendan Venter is the man they have in mind. Venter, the 1995 World Cup-winning Springbok, has long been a go-to man for teams in crisis all over the rugby world.

In fact, the Sharks brought him in for a season in 2013, the season after Plumtree was sacked by then CEO John Smit. Could history repeat itself?

Powell, the former Blitzboks guru, is now to focus on “operational areas including the Junior and Academy programmes, player recruitment and retention, logistics, medical and rehab, travel, planning, and budget management.”

In addition, Bryans has confirmed that “the entire rugby programme will remain under critical review for the rest of the season. The top-to-bottom review will include a detailed assessment of every department and function and will involve external experts to help inform structural and performance improvements.”

Encouragingly, the Sharks’ junior system is taking off, even if the success of the juniors needed to have happened a season or two ago to assist Plumtree. Better late than never.

The Sharks Academy and youth structures have developed world-class talent, with multiple homegrown Junior Springboks and a recent U21 SA Cup title highlighting that there is a quality next generation rising through the ranks.