SMIT: Sharks needed a change- (Cheers Plumtree!)

New Sharks CEO John Smit says the decision not to renew John Plumtree's contract as head coach was made to 'freshen up and create some change'.

On Tuesday, the Sharks announced that SA U20 assistant coach and former Saracens director of rugby Brendan Venter would become Sharks' director of rugby from the start of the Currie Cup, and that Plumtree would not coach the team beyond October, when his contract expires.

'This is the most difficult issue we have right now, and one that has taken a lot of time and effort to come to,' Smit said. 'John’s contract comes to an end at the end of this year, and I did let him know yesterday that we won’t be renewing his contract.

'We can only be thankful for what Plum has done for the Sharks over the years,' he added. 'I won my first and only Currie Cup with him as coach, the first Currie Cup we’d won in 12 years. He’s given a lot of himself to this team, he’s had 10 campaigns as head coach behind his name.

'It was purely a decision to freshen up and create some change for the players’ experiences as well.'

On the appointment of Venter, Smit explained that, 'I’ve seen first-hand what he can and does do. He has created something quite special at Saracens in terms of rugby environment and the environment off the field as well. It’s something that appealed to me and the reason why I looked to get him here.'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=PLSoUM0EQcU

You can't just typically think the worst of a person, it's an unfair and unintelligent way of going about people, look at the wider spectrum and you'll notice that Plumtree was most likely dropped due to the poor season this far.

But what if managed to pull it off and get into the playoffs, that would be a massive twist!

It is a joke Simpleton.

Watch the youtube movie link and Smit speaks

very highly of Plumtree

As this is my first post on this forum let me firstly say hello to everybody. I've browsed here for awhile and have now decided to take the plunge. Live just west of Durban and am a Sharks fan. I aslo have some contacts at the Sharks due to the work I do therefore I can share this info with you.

To Clevermike, you are close, there is internal strife at the Sharks and it involves not only the senior team but the lower levels as well. The major reason for this is Plumtree's bringing in Lions players to replace his own injured players instead of promoting players internally.

This is a major reason why Jandre Marais has left the union. Kankowski and JP were on the verge of leaving permanently due to issues with captain and coach but have now re-signed after Smit's intervention.

I have not heard of any problems with Steyn, in fact he is looked up to by the younger players and plays a mentoring role to a few of them.

Dont be surprised if a new captain is announced for the Currie Cup and also next year's Super15.

 Thanks Mance. This supports the actions of Smit in clearing out the old baggage and dead wood. He has obviously assessed the situation and is taking appropriate measures to change the culture. Any new CEO of a company would do the same thing. Makes sense for him to go with someone he has experience with and obviously respects. Smit may be a lot of things, but he is no idiot.

Unless someone has evidence, it is pure conjecture that his actions were vindicative towards Plumtree. Smit was the consummate gentleman both on and off the field.

I can see your crusade against Frans is still on going Mike...

None of this is surprising, but it's good to get confirmation from a credible source. Welcome mance!

I recall the initial rumor that it was the 2 camps were Afrikaans and English first language speakers. 

Perhaps the camps do exist but just not English/Afrikaaner, and actually the Lions vs Sharks players.

I also heard a rumour that Frans Steyn was half the oranges at half time which created some division within the camp, although not sure how true that was. Maybe he was eating all of the Lions oranges but seem a bit far fetched.

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I recall the initial rumor that it was the 2 camps were Afrikaans and English first language speakers. 

Perhaps the camps do exist but just not English/Afrikaaner, and actually the Lions vs Sharks players.

I also heard a rumour that Frans Steyn was eating half the oranges at half time which created some division within the camp,

although not sure how true that was. Maybe he was eating all of the Lions oranges but seem a bit far fetched.

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