"Its unfortunate how Nick used his supposed contact"....Smit

"New Sharks CEO John Smit insists that Brendan Venter was his first choice to replace outgoing coach John Plumtree at Kings Park. Venter was unveiled as the Sharks' new Director of Rugby on Tuesday in Smit's first big move at the helm of the franchise, and the World Cup-winning Bok skipper said that the former Saracens boss was always top of his list. "Brendan was the first guy I spoke to," he explained. Reports emerged over the weekend in which former Springbok and Italy coach Nick Mallett claimed he had been offered the job, but Smit explained that it was more of an unfortunate misunderstanding. "It's unfortunate how Nick's used his supposed contact. There was contact with him to see if there was a role he could play. "So it was an unnecessary way for Plum to hear the news in the media, but I suppose that's the game we're in," he added." ******************************************************************************************* So Nick Mallett is this great guy who has matured. But it appears he inflated the discussion, knowing head coach was not on the table. In fact it was just an exploratory "roles" discussion. I came across this several times in business....it's a disgusting practice and if true the man should never be allowed near any SA rugby team. Heavy egg for the Nick Mallett contingent that was so vociferous today.

Surprising that the Sharks did not get him to sign a non-disclosure agreement,

or at least some form of a gentlements agreement. 

Poor Plumtree heard in the media first of all that he was no longer wanted by the Sharks,

or at the very least he was not being considered in the recruitment of a Rugby Director.

Nick Mallett used this to improve his image, and marketability as a Rugby commentator

 

I guess John thought he was dealing with a gentleman. Actually  I experienced this twice in a high profile executive search. It's not customary to ask for a confidentiality agreement during discussions. One assumes people are ethical.

 

Boy, don't you have it in for him.

 

You speak of ethics ... do you have any??

 

How about integrity?

 

Hmmmmmm???

 

 

It could equally be said that it was unfortunate that Mallet was made an offer and Smit had second thoughts?
So while mud is being thrown undeservedly at Mallet lets consider some issues.

Did Mallet get an offer. It is clear he was approached.  I find no credence in the view that he would accept a minor offer.

What were the sharks in any case looking for - a  Director of Rugby. I fail to see why they would have

approached Nick with anything else in mind. Was he made an offer. Highly likely. It is problematic to try and make out

Mallet was not offered the job after all John mentions a misunderstanding. What proof he wasnt offered the job.

Keo thinks he was:

Brendan Venter’s appointment as Sharks Director of Rugby is a good one.

But the decision to end John Plumtree’s Sharks coaching tenure is not.

Former Springbok and Italy coach Nick Mallett turned down an invitation for the role of Sharks Director of Rugby

Who to believe - who mislead who. How do you know Nick was not mislead by the contact. Has he ever said he

got offered a job before when he hadnt? I mean over all these years.

But not lets automatically believe the worst of Mallet - its fine to blacken his name?

However as we are throwing mud I remind you of two things:

Firstly Plumtree had the good sense to drop Smit and replace him with Bissie - Ouch one could see

here a reason for Plumtree's exit no matter how good the compliments are! Payback time!

Secondly, and very significantly,  was it not Smit who kept Bissie out of the Bo side by using his position

as captain and also benefitting from the fact we didnt have a coach - ou pdv was just there to draw a salary.

Bissie was playing superb rugby and recognised as the best hooker in the world whereas lardy was overweight

and over the hill.

Now I am expected to believe without any questions being asked that Mallet is the villain and lardy the saint.

For ou windpomp education please note Smits role in Venters appointment (A very good coach). Please also

note the connection between Venter and John at Sarries. One wonders how objective John was?

Whether its mallet or venter the sharks were sure to get a fine coach. I remeber some boneheads on a certain

thinking I was cazy talking about Venter in glowing terms. Bwahahhahahahaha

My gut feeling is that Mallet was offered the job. But as he said he is not interested in coaching right now s he

is revelling in TV commentary which he is excellent at and which allows him to stay with his family etc.

Just the job he needs after many long years of coaching. Quite possibly Venter was second choice but John

didnt want Venter to think that. Hence the misunderstanding as lardy so artfully called it.

 

 

 

Do you really think John Smit is going to lie about this. I don't. He was quite clear in his statement, Mallett was approached to talk about possible roles he could play to help the Sharks. As John said Mallett then "used his supposed contact". Look at it this way.....nobody went up to Mallett and said: "have the Sharks offered you the job"? Nope he volunteered the whole thing and for no essential reason, except to promote himself. And even if that was true.....which it wasn't.....the decent thing would have been to keep it quiet. Until after the Sharks had appointed a coach, at a minimum, but for much longer than that if you really wanted to behave properly. Sometimes the system expects integrity. It's totally clear in this case Mallett fell way short of the mark. The modern way is to pretend both parties are at fault. Nobody who has any experience of these things would be confused in this instance.