Christo Buchner

Johannesburg – Sharks management will decide on the team’s return from Australia and New Zealand who should he held accountable for the team’s poor performances.

Sharks chief executive Brian van Zyl said that it would be difficult to predict the outcome if the team returned home without a victory.

“If any drastic decisions are taken, it will be a collective management decision,” Van Zyl told website keo.co.za.

As far as Van Zyl is concerned, coach John Plumtree is still secure in his job. He has been offered a contract extension of three years, but has not signed it yet.

While Plumtree denies it, there are still rumours that he wants to negotiate a contract in New Zealand.

Saturday’s Super 14 match against the Highlanders at Carisbrook in Dunedin can be a watershed for the Sharks.

It looks like their only chance to win on tour. However, if they come second once more, the long knives may be out.

Plumtree was putting out fires this week about a split in his team and slammed the media for fuelling the rumours.

Captain John Smit said that this was probably the toughest tour he has been on.

He says the defeats are very disappointing as the Sharks had a winning chance on each occasion, yet fell apart when it really mattered.

Plumtree, however, admitted on the Sharks website that his team is not playing well enough to deserve a victory.

“We are getting in good positions to score points but not using the opportunities. Discipline is also a problem. If you are ahead by one or two points with 10 minutes left, you cannot afford to concede penalties,” he said.

Plumtree said that the lack of continuity among the halfbacks and at inside centre was proving costly to his team.

The Highlanders have arrived back in Dunedin after a marathon flight and the Sharks believe they are there for the taking.