Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth. (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images)
- Sharks boss Neil Powell said the franchise had difficult internal talks this week following the fallout from Sunday’s 35-0 loss in Cardiff.
- Former head coach Sean Everitt was subsequently sacked 24 hours later, leaving the team in a state of turmoil ahead of the Ospreys’ visit to Durban.
- Powell said Springbok leaders Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth had stepped up and displayed their leadership skills during the tumultuous time.
Sharks director of rugby Neil Powell said the franchise had difficult internal talks this week following the fallout from last Sunday’s 35-0 Cardiff bombing, which saw the back of former head coach Sean Everitt.
Everitt, a popular figure within Shark Tank, was fired on Monday, although the official line was that the two sides parted ways on mutual terms.
Powell said it was necessary for the Springboks to return, the country’s most influential rugby leaders Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth to show leadership and get back on track.
Kolisi and Etzebeth, however, were rested for Friday night’s game against the Ospreys after playing England at Twickenham last weekend.
“You can imagine how painful and disappointing a 35-0 defeat against Cardiff is,” Powell told the media during a stormy news conference on Thursday.
“We realized that we weren’t good enough and that there were consequences for that and that we are all part of those consequences.
“I was completely disappointed, knowing that we can be much better than the weekend.
“Yes, it was a different week. A lot of words were said in the week, but now is the time to put those words into action.
“Guys like Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth were great for us this week and having those Boks back was really good to refocus us again and make sure we stay focused on the job at hand.”
“We talked a lot about what happened and how we see next week and that our focus needed to change.
“Obviously it wasn’t easy, but I think it was important for us to come together as a full team of 50 and talk about what happened over the weekend and get to a point where we agree and move on.”
“Yes, 35-0 was disappointing. We have to refocus and hopefully succeed in the next game.”
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Though the Sharks tried to shield Powell from probing questions from coaches’ agitation, they pressed him for answers about what would happen to the ambitious American-owned franchise.
The Sharks were disappointed in their inaugural United Rugby Championship (URC) season and this term started no better after three losses and three wins, the worst of which cost Everitt his job.
But perhaps the writing was on the wall for Everitt, whose contract was extended to 2024 last year after Powell rose from defense coach to director of rugby union without spending a full season in Durban.
Powell confirmed that he would assume the roles of head coach and director of rugby for “the next few months”.
He added that the team’s ambitions, which added Etzebeth, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Carlu Sadie, Francois Venter and Vincent Tshituka to their armored squad this season, had not changed.
The Sharks made no secret of the fact that they wanted to win the URC and the European Champion Clubs’ Cup, which begins against Harlequins next weekend (November 10) at Kings Park.
Before that, the Sharks take on the Welsh club, Ospreys, at home on Friday night (19:00 kick-off). The Sharks sit 12th in the URC standings while the Ospreys sit 14th with just one win out of eight.
“I will assume the role of head coach until further decisions are made on the coaching structure,” Powell said.
“It’s something that obviously happened very quickly and I had to replace him on short notice. My double feature will be in place for the next few months.”
“The goals remain the same and we already had those discussions.
“We received the support of all the players and I think it was important to let them understand that those objectives have not changed and to have clarity on how we see this week from a mental and focus perspective.”
“Will we see the results this weekend? Obviously, we hope so. But if it’s not happening, we’ll keep working and moving in the right direction until we can achieve success.”
shark team:
15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Marnus Potgieter, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi (captain), 7 Jeandre Labuschagne, 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Vincent Tshituka , 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Substitutes: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 James Venter, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Nevaldo Fleurs, 23 Rohan Janse van Rensburg
