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In the rugby world, when one compare "wholesale changes" with "common logic", as a coach, it normally means there's a need to search for a positive result the team will hopefully benefit from. Right?
Strangely enough, less than a week ago, Plumtree was the one mentioning how "far behind" Francois Steyn is from proper form. Is pretty amazing how a player can retain his form in the space of a couple of days??? Now Francois Steyn is good enough to be the Sharks's first choice outside center.
That fact on its own tells quite a story about the way Plumtree manages the Sharks squad.
On the other hand, he pushed Beast to his limits, just like he's pushing Riaan Viljoen and Patrick Lambie to their limits at the moment. That would have been acceptable if they weren't regarded as one of the best teams in Super Rugby. But where on earth does the "team than reached the final in 2012" think its possible to win this tournament without having depth?? Where's the backup? Depth???
Not the "perfect" replacement, just a replacement. Burton Francis was "supposed" to be the waterboy for the Cheetahs this season, their 3rd choice flyhalf. "3rd Choice" obviously doesn't mean anything, the fact that he's a match winner at the moment proves that point.
The games in which the Sharks play their best rugby is 9/10 times the games in which Patrick Lambie is rewarded as man of the match. But to soeley rely on a youngster to keep on winning your vital games is unfair towards him, to the team and most definitely the "supporters". The Sharks XV are log leaders in the Vodacom cup at the moment. Question, where are those young blooded players???
Its pretty close to being too late to throw them into the deep end now and expect them to make the difference expected from them. The Sharks aren't competing for the title, they are competing with the Stormers to see who can go the furthest in this tournament with the least amount of depth. At least that's what its look like.
To cry about injuries and blame injuries for playing the poor rugby they are playing is just another easy way to run away from the long term disaster they're heading for. Injuries happen. Its part of the game. If there's no rotation, its easier for a player to get injured. Like Beast. There has to be backup. Plan, A, B, C and D, If not more.
Versatility has no sole purpose. To only use it after an injury is pretty aimless. The worst part is unfortunately not part of the past yet, the Sharks still stair an "Always TOUGH" tour in the eyes, and at the rate they are exposing their "lack of depth" at the moment, they will soon be dealing with the "Super-punch", the hard hit Super Rugby is capable of dishing out to teams relying on individuality to create momentum.
Strangely enough, less than a week ago, Plumtree was the one mentioning how "far behind" Francois Steyn is from proper form. Is pretty amazing how a player can retain his form in the space of a couple of days??? Now Francois Steyn is good enough to be the Sharks's first choice outside center.
That fact on its own tells quite a story about the way Plumtree manages the Sharks squad.
On the other hand, he pushed Beast to his limits, just like he's pushing Riaan Viljoen and Patrick Lambie to their limits at the moment. That would have been acceptable if they weren't regarded as one of the best teams in Super Rugby. But where on earth does the "team than reached the final in 2012" think its possible to win this tournament without having depth?? Where's the backup? Depth???
Not the "perfect" replacement, just a replacement. Burton Francis was "supposed" to be the waterboy for the Cheetahs this season, their 3rd choice flyhalf. "3rd Choice" obviously doesn't mean anything, the fact that he's a match winner at the moment proves that point.
The games in which the Sharks play their best rugby is 9/10 times the games in which Patrick Lambie is rewarded as man of the match. But to soeley rely on a youngster to keep on winning your vital games is unfair towards him, to the team and most definitely the "supporters". The Sharks XV are log leaders in the Vodacom cup at the moment. Question, where are those young blooded players???
Its pretty close to being too late to throw them into the deep end now and expect them to make the difference expected from them. The Sharks aren't competing for the title, they are competing with the Stormers to see who can go the furthest in this tournament with the least amount of depth. At least that's what its look like.
To cry about injuries and blame injuries for playing the poor rugby they are playing is just another easy way to run away from the long term disaster they're heading for. Injuries happen. Its part of the game. If there's no rotation, its easier for a player to get injured. Like Beast. There has to be backup. Plan, A, B, C and D, If not more.
Versatility has no sole purpose. To only use it after an injury is pretty aimless. The worst part is unfortunately not part of the past yet, the Sharks still stair an "Always TOUGH" tour in the eyes, and at the rate they are exposing their "lack of depth" at the moment, they will soon be dealing with the "Super-punch", the hard hit Super Rugby is capable of dishing out to teams relying on individuality to create momentum.
