A heart of green and gold
22 Jan 2013
John Plumtree remains adamant that for him when it comes to rugby, South Africa is No 1, writes MARK KEOHANE in Business Day Sport Monthly.
John Plumtree’s wife is South African. His son is South African. His team of choice, as a player and coach, the Sharks, is South African. Often, Plumtree is referenced as the Sharks’ New Zealand-born coach, but he sees it differently. When it comes to rugby he’s more South African than Kiwi. In fact, he’s more Shark than anything else.
Plumtree has aspirations to coach the Springboks, as is the case with any South African coach. He identifies with South African rugby more than any other and while there will always be a proud Kiwi in Plumtree, when it comes to rugby the identification is very South African.
The jersey Plumtree prides most is a Springbok Sevens jersey, earned in 1994 when representing South Africa at the Hong Kong Sevens.
‘I reckon I must have been the first Kiwi to wear the green and gold,’ he jokes. ‘It was a surreal moment in the change room; a very special moment. A very strong Springbok Sevens team went to Hong Kong in 1994. Andre Joubert, Henry Honiball and Joost van der Westhuizen were among the stars of that team and I felt proud to be considered good enough for the squad,’ says Plumtree.
‘I grew up a Kiwi kid with dreams of playing for the All Blacks against the Springboks and here I was wearing the Springbok jersey and I felt massive pride in playing for South Africa. They were New Zealand’s traditional foe and they were the team that commanded the most respect among the older folk.
‘The greatest challenge for an All Blacks player was to beat the Springboks in South Africa and I grew up with a sense of wonder and awe at the men in green and gold. They had a mystique for me. As a young rugby player I always wanted to play in South Africa; I got the chance in 1988 and ended up staying for nearly 10 years before returning to the Sharks to coach in 2006.’
South Africa is home to Plumtree and has been for some time. Professionally, his coaching may still take him to Europe or New Zealand, but in an ideal world home is Durban, South Africa and work is in South Africa.
‘The country has given me a family, a home and a wonderful lifestyle. It has given me opportunity. South Africa has been very good to me and I’d like to think I’ve embraced the country and given as much as I can to it. I’ve been in South Africa for the best part of 20 years and love being here,’ says Plumtree.
‘My coaching took me to Wales, where you could say I did my apprenticeship with Swansea as a young coach and furthered that with four years as Wellington coach in New Zealand. But for the rest it’s all been here in Durban, as a player and as a coach. I’ve never felt I had to choose between New Zealand and South Africa; if anything I consider myself fortunate to have experience of both because of the strong rugby connection. I have enormous respect for the rugby in New Zealand and an equal feeling for the game in this country.’
Plumtree has worked with some of New Zealand’s and South Africa’s best players and says the similarities make the rivalry so intense.
‘Both have an appetite for physicality and for playing a direct game. Both want to be the best in the world and have the work ethic that goes with it. If there was a difference I’d say there’s more pressure in South Africa at schoolboy level to win because of the rivalry between the major rugby playing schools, whereas in New Zealand there is a greater focus at schoolboy level on playing good rugby. The pressure here would be to win at all costs; there the pressure would be in the skills evolution of a player at schools level.
‘Professionally, though, there isn’t much to choose and that is why there seldom is much in matches at Super Rugby and Test levels. There has been the odd blowout from the Boks and from a South African and Kiwi Super Rugby side, but generally, as a Kiwi side, you have to play bloody well to win in this country, and the same is true of any South African team wanting to win in New Zealand.’
Plumtree played 80 matches for the Sharks between 1988 and 1997, having played 40 provincial games in New Zealand prior to that, which culminated in selection for All Blacks trials in 1989. His best rugby memories are playing for the Sharks and winning two Currie Cup medals and he takes pride in the achievement of winning the Currie Cup as a player and as a coach.
‘I was part of the 1996 squad as a player and in my first season as head coach in 2008 we won the cup again for the first time since 1996. To say I have won the Currie Cup as a player and a coach is a big thing for me because it also shows just how long I have been here and it is a competition that means a hell of a lot to me. I understand the history of the competition and I know what it meant to win it as a player at the Sharks. So I will never treat it as secondary.
‘There’s Super Rugby, which we want to win and there’s the Currie Cup, which we want to win. Both have equal status. One is the premier international tournament we play in and the other is the premier domestic competition. We had a chance to complete a rare double in 2012 in winning both and fell at the last hurdle. It hurts because we got so close to something really special, but the motivation has to be that it is possible to succeed in both tournaments and the group of players this year is more experienced, more mature and equipped to certainly be successful.’
The defeat in the Currie Cup final against Western Province rankles Plumtree more than the away defeat against the Chiefs in Super Rugby because it was a final he believed his team was good enough to win.
‘It is the one area we simply have to correct as a squad. When we are looking down the barrel we somehow find an escape and a way to win but when the hard work has been done and the expectation is there that we should win we have stumbled. Western Province played very well to win the final but home finals are occasions you have to make count. We had done all the hard work, benefited from consistency in getting a home semi-final and final and then to stumble … well you pick an adjective …’
Consistency is something Plumtree feels the Sharks have lacked in Super Rugby and to win the tournament he believes a team has to start well and end well.
‘The Crusaders and Bulls in their best years showed this consistency. They won enough to get the home semi and home final and while it is a huge advantage playing at home in the final it is also reward for a consistent season,’ says Plumtree. ‘I know we were up against it last year in having to travel to Australia, back to South Africa and then to Hamilton in New Zealand in 10 days but had we started the tournament better, it would have been another team doing the travelling to Durban.
‘It is the nature of the competition and it’s a competition I love being a part of. It tests everything about you as a player and as a coach. It tests the depth of your squad, the mental resolve and it also tests the ability of the coaching staff to manage the playing demands of the squad. I personally love the tournament and I enjoyed the expanded version in 2012.’
Plumtree favours the June break when internationals are played and says a tournament as long as Super Rugby needs a break.
‘I guess the key is not to have too many international players away on Test duty because we saw how a team like the Crusaders struggled post the June internationals. They were just hitting a peak before the All Blacks’ three Tests against the Irish and their players, who were superb at times against Ireland, just never hit the same heights in the remainder of the tournament.
‘The Sharks, by contrast, benefited from the break. We had a chance to reassess, get our injured players back on the park and we also had the benefit of a bye in the first week after the break. I found our players were refreshed and our Springboks gained a lot from that one-week bye. We went on a roll, so it works both ways. As a coaching team we learned a lot from last year, in terms of managing the squad and maximising game time for the entire squad.’
Plumtree, six days after the Sharks’ Super Rugby final defeat in Hamilton, started the Currie Cup campaign against Western Province in Cape Town, and he made 14 changes to the side beaten by the Chiefs.
‘The travel and playing demands forced those changes and we won in Cape Town, which shows you what is possible. I think having so many players away on international duty has allowed us to develop talent at Currie Cup level, which may not have been the case if all our players were available every weekend. It is why the Currie Cup for me will always have prestige, as a tournament, and as a showcase of the next generation of star players in South Africa.’
Plumtree has an expectation of his squad, but won’t differentiate between the need to win and develop quality players and improve the quality of those already in the system.
‘It can’t be one at the expense of the other. The nature of the sport is you have to win but you can develop and win at the same time if your identification is right. I have been so impressed with what Gary Kirsten has done with the Proteas. He has taken risks, always spoken of a bigger picture, be it an ODI World Cup, a T20 series or a Test series. You know what he wants to achieve and he hasn’t been afraid to introduce youngsters at the same time.
‘He has a clear plan, which has been well communicated, but he has also been very clear about the priority in results, which was to win the Test series in England and Australia … which they did. In the interim he has introduced a virtually new T20 side and made many adjustments to the ODI side. I think South African rugby, at national and provincial and regional levels, can learn a lot from what Gary has done with the Proteas cricket side.’
Plumtree, this season, wants a closer working relationship with the national coaches and with whoever can add to the success of the Sharks.
‘I don’t think we share enough in South Africa. I think we can learn from each other, at franchise level, and at national level and we definitely can learn from other codes,’ says Plumtree. ‘A lot of rugby people look to New Zealand but the system is completely different, especially the way in which the NZRU contracts the Super Rugby players and the working relationship that exists between the national coaches and the franchise coaches. You could only take from New Zealand if Saru was contracting the players. They aren’t.
‘There’s a lot right with rugby in South Africa and we have the luxury of so much natural talent. I’d say we need to invest more in the intellectual capital that there is on a coaching front in this country, encourage our players to have a go and take risks without fear of being dropped. We certainly also need to talk more, among ourselves in rugby and to those in other codes, to make South African rugby an entity that can consistently be as strong as New Zealand, and hopefully even stronger.’
– This article first appeared in Business Day Sport Monthly, which is distributed FREE with Business Day newspaper on the second Friday of each month.
720 Comments
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22 Jan 2013, 12:18 pm
@NZINCHINA-248: since ’81?
when your tame ape from wales robbed us?
i would say you have been true to form
22 Jan 2013, 12:19 pm
@The Rangerman-247:
yip.
they only got anywhere because they decided to learn how to play rugby from us.
next they’ll blame the refs, as if.
22 Jan 2013, 12:20 pm
@NZINCHINA-250: it must be said, your lot have dominated us of late.
cant deny it.
but like we have started to hold our own in superrugby, we will do the same at test level.
it will shake your world to its foundations but you will come out the other side a better person with less hangups than you have now
22 Jan 2013, 12:20 pm
The truth is that if Plum had to go SARU it would be a huge loss to SA Rugby, there he would have the administrative and political shackles on him as soon as the pen is on paper, the thing is Plums coaching would be wasted at national lever as one does not coach a natural squad, the national coach is more of a tactical / management roll (think Alex Ferguson / Fabio Capello)
22 Jan 2013, 12:20 pm
@The Rangerman-251:
no, on the ‘reffing’ front i would say their form has improved markedly.
22 Jan 2013, 12:21 pm
@The Rangerman-247:
We just “produce ” them here like sardines.
For every good one who goes there are 3 even better ones to take over.
The water is kak cold yes, u got that right
22 Jan 2013, 12:21 pm
@The Rangerman-251:
Gerty makes him look like a choir boy.
22 Jan 2013, 12:21 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-252: ja gerty is chinas favourite crutch.
we must help him bakkies, i favour the gordon ramsey approach.
22 Jan 2013, 12:22 pm
@The Rangerman-243: hypocritical “harvesters”?
@The Rangerman-246: contradictory as well “xenophobes” who have kiwis, argies & kenyans
22 Jan 2013, 12:24 pm
@Robzim-256: haha Rob i gotta go.
have a good day bud.
@NZINCHINA-257: what do you know about choir boys?
lets stick to rugby please.
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-255: look, two of the finest cheats the game has ever seen, paddy “apology” o’braaien and bryce “mommys boy” lowrance have certainly carried the torch for them.
22 Jan 2013, 12:25 pm
@The Rangerman-253: \
yes,
sometimes, admitting to the truth of those niggly thoughts one harbours deep down and which haunts you in your words, can be a wonderful release.
22 Jan 2013, 12:26 pm
@The Rangerman-253:
Of late you mean per 81′, 32 years ago. This domination you talk of 4 or 5 tests over 70 years with us laying more in SA hardly domination but call it what you will.
22 Jan 2013, 12:26 pm
Playing
22 Jan 2013, 12:28 pm
@The Dangerman-260:
100yrs.
We have not even been playing each other for that long………………………………….Dumbarse.
22 Jan 2013, 12:28 pm
@The Rangerman-258:
“the gordon ramsey approach”…?..
that’ll wet their their appetites for change…
22 Jan 2013, 12:29 pm
@Transformation-259: ja i suppose we could call the stormers that but i like dhl turnstiles better.
the turnstiles have kenyan and kiwi players?
@NZINCHINA-262: no sonny, you finally surpassed us in the win loss ratio around a decade ago.
whats this 32 year wishful thinking binge you are on?
put down the wonton and lay down on your futon ok?
22 Jan 2013, 12:31 pm
@NZINCHINA-262:
Since the advent of Neutral Ref’s and semblance of SA domination has been a myth in the minds of The Broederbond and their jackals.
22 Jan 2013, 12:31 pm
@The Rangerman-266:
perhaps he could take a wok on the wild side before his lie down..?..
it’ll do him the world of good.
22 Jan 2013, 12:32 pm
@cane-264:
when was the first test between our two countries caner?
in 1921? ag, poetic licence.
i have to go now so everyone dont let the buzz i have given you fade away ok?
22 Jan 2013, 12:32 pm
@The Rangerman-266:
Yes but since 81 ( and the introduction of neutral refs) you could hardly buy a win, we’ve owned you for the best part of 30 years now.
22 Jan 2013, 12:39 pm
And in other news, Frans Ludeke says he has already started preparing for the final of the 2013 Super Rugby tournament.
” I have bougt the latest Hi Defintion 50″ LCD TV and have had it installed already and will be able to watch the final in 20 million pixel color” he was quoted as saying.
22 Jan 2013, 12:48 pm
Since 1921 NZ and The Gougers have played 85 Test matches.
NZ have scored 168 tries.
SA have scored 127 tries.
Suck on that The Rangerman.
22 Jan 2013, 12:55 pm
@cane-272:
Ja
He’s really become a mislike Shark lately.
22 Jan 2013, 12:57 pm
@Rockn Rolla-254: very good point about what defines a national coach and a Sup Rugby one. Your point should be explored more. A national coach is more player manager, fine tactician and hopefully a bloody good selector. There really is no time to coach (in building a team over an extended period in which they are playing week in and week out). I think that was Heyneke’s greatest struggle. It requires a totally different mindset and possibly even diff skills set.
22 Jan 2013, 12:58 pm
Along with all the other mislike Sharks we have around here
22 Jan 2013, 13:27 pm
china/cane
they’ve won 12 tests in twenty years
considering we play each other at least twice a year
they have been man shamed consistently since isolation
Bakkies and ranger probably have never seen a dominant Bok team
but knuckle seagoing Neanderthals are stupid like that.
take their “banter” as sign they are hurting
because they are
LMFAO
22 Jan 2013, 13:31 pm
@the curse-276:
hi pops.
what does a “knuckle seagoing neanderthal” mean?
22 Jan 2013, 13:35 pm
@the curse-276:
Whoopee!
He’s baaaack!
22 Jan 2013, 13:37 pm
Knuckle seagoing Neanderthal!
22 Jan 2013, 13:37 pm
@keo-274:
True Coaches – Plumtree, Deans, Meyer, AC, Ludeke
True Managers – Woodward, Henry, White, McGeechan, Gattland
Then you get Eddie Jones, Brenden Venter, Nick Mallet who fall into a bit of both
22 Jan 2013, 13:38 pm
@nortierd-271:
not quite nice really, seeing as he’s the only coach that has won a superrugby final…twice.
and in all honesty, in both finals the Bulls handed out tactical masterclasses to the chiefs and stormers.
22 Jan 2013, 13:39 pm
@the curse-276:
Howzit Pops
good to have you back.
hope you had a great festive rest period and enjoyed your leave.
22 Jan 2013, 13:39 pm
@the curse-276:
Pops,
Ranger throws around the domination word regularly, when you strip it back there was no domination, there were a few tests in it and as we know it wasn’t a level playing field.
@charo-277:
When you’re describing a black tennis player what do you mean by “silverback”?
22 Jan 2013, 13:41 pm
@the curse-276:
factor in the games we really won and i’d say we’re well ahead of you, Pops.
lets not make this a trolling session.
22 Jan 2013, 13:42 pm
@the curse-276:
Go for it Pops
I’m getting my popcorn
22 Jan 2013, 13:47 pm
@the curse-276:
hey popps…
welcome back… how’s your arm doing…?
and how was your festive season…
you’ve been missed around these parts…
see you’ve also signed up on superb…
cool…
22 Jan 2013, 13:48 pm
superbru…
silly auto correct…
22 Jan 2013, 13:53 pm
UFO/Dawn/Nortie
Kia Ora. hope you are all well. arm is good thanks UFO. more shoulder problems from bein restricted to the sling.
me missed on keo hahahahaha too funny
but Dawnie, you bring the popcorn sweety and ill being the entertainment.
22 Jan 2013, 13:55 pm
Bakkies
minus 2009
9 wins in 19 years
I fully understand your conspiracy angle
it’s like prawns in district 9
we continue to “smorsh you borsterds”
22 Jan 2013, 13:57 pm
hehehe
strange but true…
good to hear the arm’s on the mend… slow though it may be…
how long must you wear the sling…?
22 Jan 2013, 13:59 pm
Had to laugh out loud now.
Saw the trailer for a movie called: “Here comes the BOOM”…….
22 Jan 2013, 13:59 pm
22 Jan 2013, 14:00 pm
@NZINCHINA-283:
jou bek is skielik groot..?..
hou jou in, China.
22 Jan 2013, 14:00 pm
@NZINCHINA-283:
delicate and dainty…
sunshine.
22 Jan 2013, 14:00 pm
@the curse-288: Pops! Happy New Year to you and your loved ones. No jokes, we missed you.
22 Jan 2013, 14:01 pm
@Rockn Rolla-280: no Ewen Mckenzie, no Wayne Smith yet you mention the likes of AC & Ludekak? lol
22 Jan 2013, 14:02 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-291:
Ja nee … HG is already here!
22 Jan 2013, 14:03 pm
@Transformation-241: You do realise that the Boks have never won a World Cup without a Flyhalf from Maritzburg College…?
The beating heart of a successful Bok side is always a Shark…
Sharks Forever…
22 Jan 2013, 14:04 pm
@Dawn-297: Fokekhetgelag.
22 Jan 2013, 14:05 pm
@Transformation-296:
Rocknrolla is top of Keo’s class
He’s the only one Keo responds to.
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