Head coach John Dobson is wary of the “threat” posed to the DHL Stormers from the Sharks under the guidance of wily tactician John Plumtree next season.
Plumtree takes the reins as Sharks head coach from 1 July, returning to Durban after his successful first stint. In 2008, he helped secure the Sharks’ first Currie Cup title since 1996, and they lifted the trophy again in 2010. In 2012, the Sharks progressed to the Super Rugby final, and reached the Currie Cup final.
It has been a disappointing season for the Durbanites, being knocked out of both the Vodacom United Rugby Championship and Champions Cup in the quarter-finals. The team also failed to secure qualification for the Champions Cup next season.
In a wide-ranging interview with Sport24, Dobson believes Plumtree is the right man to help rebuild the franchise, yet expects it to be a double-edged sword for the Stormers.
“You’ve got to understand the DNA of your region … how they play their rugby, the whole culture,” the Stormers boss said. “I think Plum does that.
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“It’s what has been missing from the Sharks for, jeepers … maybe 10 or even more years? Perhaps since he left the last time.
“Even Kevin Putt [another dual former Sharks player and coach] in his funny way understood the Sharks vibe and Mac [the late Ian McIntosh] before him was the real icon there.
“I suspect there’s been damage; quite a lot of building work to do. There have been lots of comings and goings there player-wise.
“But I believe he will do a good job: he understands them completely. You have to understand who you’re playing for, a bit like us down here, which explains many of our methods and styles.”
Dobson added: “It’s difficult for them: I imagine a lot of their supporter base has migrated [residentially] up toward Ballito and Zimbali and so on, so it’s further to drive and the famous Kings Park B-field braais on match day aren’t as big as they were.
“But Plum’s a threat to us, make no mistake.”
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