John Plumtree, head coach of the Hollywoodbets Sharks, is expressing concern that a year’s worth of hard work with his team might be threatened by injuries after yet another away loss in the United Rugby Championship, this time against the DHL Stormers on Saturday.

The Sharks encountered a 24-20 defeat in a highly competitive match against the Stormers in Cape Town, feeling the effects of significant player absences in their skilled lineup.

In contrast to the previous URC season, where they finished in the lower half, the Sharks have started this new season with vigor, currently occupying the fifth position in the Championship standings after eight games. At the same point last season, the Durban team was among the bottom five teams in the table.

Despite their recent loss, the New Zealand coach credited the promising start of this season to the team’s dedication to using last year’s campaign as a building block for his project, especially since he was new to the head coaching position.

“Last year was a pivotal time for us, allowing us to become familiar with each other, the squad, and the coaching staff. We made adjustments to the roster and established a vision for the team’s future, stressing the pivotal role our leaders play within our team culture,” the 59-year-old explained.

The Challenge Cup champion further elaborated on his philosophy, stating, “I firmly believe that for players to take ownership of the team and its performance, you must place your trust in them. This creates a sense of accountability, which I feel we have significantly enhanced.”

As he prepared for the new season, the New Zealander assembled a well-balanced squad, reflecting a mix of experience and talent, including several World Cup-winning Springboks, particularly the surprising return of Boks captain Siya Kolisi.

Plumtree’s squad has kept an unblemished record in their four home games but has struggled on the road, suffering defeats in all four URC away encounters.

He emphasized that his experienced players have been vital to the team’s progress but voiced concerns that the sudden wave of injuries could impede their performance.

“The players are enjoying the process. With strong senior players like ours, they are eager to be involved. They seek a management team that collaborates effectively. While things have been positive thus far, injuries have impacted our season, which is disappointing,” he remarked.

In light of a lengthy injury list, the Sharks are without several of Plumtree’s key players – Eben Etzebeth, Bongi Mbonambi, and Lukhayo Am – all of whom have played significant roles 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