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Hollywoodbets Sharks head coach John Plumtree is worried that a year of diligent effort with his team could be compromised by injuries, following yet another away setback in the United Rugby Championship, this time against the DHL Stormers on Saturday.
The Sharks endured a 24-20 defeat in a hard-fought contest with the Stormers in Cape Town, feeling the strain of notable absences in their skilled lineup.
In contrast to last season, where they finished in the lower half, the Sharks have started this new season with vigor, currently sitting in fifth place in the Championship standings after eight matches. At the same point last season, the Durban team was among the bottom five in the rankings.
Despite the recent loss, the New Zealander attributed this season’s encouraging start to the team’s dedication to using last year’s campaign as a foundational phase for his project, especially as he was new to the head coach role.
“Last year was a pivotal time for us, getting to know one another, the squad, and the coaching staff. We made roster changes and outlined a vision for the team’s future, highlighting the important role of our leaders in our team culture,” the 59-year-old explained.
The Challenge Cup champion further elaborated on his strategy, stating, “I genuinely believe that if you want the players to take ownership of the team and its performance, you must place your trust in them. This nurtures a sense of accountability, which I think we have significantly enhanced.”
In preparation for the new season, Plumtree put together a well-balanced squad, illustrating a mix of experience and talent, which includes several World Cup-winning Springboks, most notably the surprising return of Boks captain Siya Kolisi.
Plumtree’s team has preserved a flawless winning streak in their four home fixtures but has faced troubles on the road, suffering defeats in all four away matches of the URC.
Plumtree underscored that his senior players have been crucial in the team’s growth but raised concerns that the sudden increase in injuries might disrupt their performance.
“The players are enjoying the process. With strong senior players like ours, they are keen to contribute. They seek a management team that works well together. While it’s been promising so far, injuries have hindered our season, which is disappointing,” he remarked.
With a lengthy injury list, the Sharks are without several of Plumtree’s trusted veterans – Eben Etzebeth, Bongi Mbonambi, and Lukhayo Am – all of whom have played a vital role in the team’s performance this season.
BKT United Rugby Championship, DHL Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa 28/12/2024
DHL Stormers vs Hollywoodbets Sharks
John Plumtree of the Hollywoodbets Sharks
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/SteveHaagSport/EJ Langner
