John Plumtree's job safe, say Sharks

Rumours of John Plumtree's imminent demise apparently couldn't be further from the truth, with the Sharks revealing that rather than sack their Kiwi coach, they've offered him a three-year contract extension.

Plumtree has been the subject of much speculation in the South African media since his Durban-based Sharks side started the new Super 14 rugby season with three straight defeats.

They were narrowly beaten in their first two home matches, by the Chiefs and Cheetahs respectively, and they were then thumped 35-6 by the Crusaders in Christchurch last weekend to start their long Australasian tour.

That led to suggestions from some in the South African media that New Zealander Plumtree faced dismissal unless he turned things round dramatically on their five-week tour. There was even talk of a private meeting and finger-wagging lecture from Sharks chief executive Brian van Zyl to that effect.

The Sharks, however, have acted quickly to dispel the rumours and not only assure Plumtree of his job security, but also wave a fat new three-year contract under his nose.

Plumtree, a former Wellington NPC coach, had reportedly showed some interest in the previously vacant Hurricanes job, but then withdrew himself from that race to concentrate on his role with the Sharks.

Pietermaritzburg newspaper The Witness reported that Van Zyl had fully endorsed Plumtree and strongly denied any suggestion that the highly rated coach might be facing the axe should his side's poor run of results continue.

"The Sharks board have agreed to extend the contract by three years and we would not have done that if we did not have every faith in him as a coach," Van Zyl told the paper.

"Plum only has to agree to the terms now but we obviously want him to stay. A good coach does not become a bad coach overnight."

Plumtree's wife is from Durban and he has a long association with Sharks rugby, having ended his playing days with the province in the Currie Cup.

Van Zyl also told The Witness that speculation of player rifts in the Sharks were also wide of the mark.

"These are the types of rumours that surface when a team is losing but I have spoken to Plum and he assures me there is no unhappiness in the team and everyone is focused on turning the season around," said Van Zyl.

The Sharks meet the NSW Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday night, before continuing their road trip against the ACT Brumbies, Highlanders and Hurricanes.

And though Plumtree may now have some security around his future at the organisation, he still faces a massive challenge turning this season around after their horror start.

- © Fairfax NZ News