John Plumtree: The Second Coming
Earlier this morning the Sharks announced the second coming of John Plumtree as Head Coach. Dave Williams joins him as an assistant coach, also for his second stint at the KwaZulu-Natal based team.
Familiar Territory
The Sharks made the announcement earlier today in a move that will be widely well received by Sharks supporters. The Sharks have undergone a number of changes in recent times so bringing in a coach that knows the union inside and out makes a lot of sense.
Plumtree has previously represented the Sharks as both a player and a coach. He played 80 games at flank for Natal, between 1988 and 1996, winning the Currie Cup in 1990 and 1994. His previous stint as coach, between 2008 and 2012, saw the Sharks win the Currie Cup in 2008 and 2010 and reach the Super Rugby final in 2012.
The Sharks Media Release
The Sharks’ media release this morning included comments from Director of Rugby Neil Powell and the new Head Coach. Powell said: “For us it’s the start of a new era getting Plum to head up the senior coaching structures with Dave Williams coming in as an assistant coach.
“This is an exciting time and a great opportunity to welcome back two vastly experienced coaches that understand our culture, the environment and know what it takes to wear this jersey.
“Plum is an experienced and astute coach that has coached at the highest level. We are delighted to have him return to The Sharks set-up and lead our senior team. I am sure he is looking forward to hitting the ground running in July, as we prepare for the new season ahead.”
Plumtree added, “Durban has always been my home away from home for many years and I have the fondest memories of my time here both as a player and a coach. I look forward returning to The Sharks set-up and working with a talented group of players.
“The Sharks are a proud global brand and naturally everyone associated with the brand wants results. Excellence is a non-negotiable and I am fully committed to doing everything I can to achieve our objectives and make our fans proud.”
Powell concluded by stating, “We have a long pre-season ahead of us and this is the ideal opportunity for us to plan, discuss the way forward and identify what we want to achieve as a team for next season and beyond.”
“Main photo credit”
