THE Sharks announced yesterday that assistant coaches Grant Bashford and Hugh Reece-Edwards would act as caretakers for the last three games of the Super Rugby campaign as the union tried to control the fallout from coach John Plumtree's axing.
Plumtree's five-year tenure ended earlier this month when incoming Sharks chief executive John Smit announced that his services would no longer be required at the conclusion of the Super Rugby season, but the former has received a sizeable "golden handshake" after a tense meeting at Kings Park on Monday.
Smit named Brendan Venter as the Sharks' new director of rugby as from next month, though the details of that appointment remain vague.
Instead of suffering the indignity of coaching the team in the final weeks knowing that he was already axed, Plumtree walked away. His move apparently caught the Sharks hierarchy by surprise. For more than 12 hours there was confusion about who would lead the team against the Blues this weekend.
KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union president Graham McKenzie confirmed the extent of the upheaval after Plumtree's decision to move on when he admitted on radio yesterday morning that the "immediate effect wasn't an outcome we were predicting".
Repeated efforts to speak to Smit were ignored, while Plumtree has gone to ground after receiving a healthy settlement package.
Sources revealed that Plumtree threatened to take the Sharks to court over a verbal agreement that he would receive a further two-year extension on his current contract.
Smit's decision to axe Plumtree apparently failed to consider the implications of an assurance of another two-year deal for the coach and as a consequence he has been paid out.
Sharks in tailspin as Plum walks
THE Sharks announced yesterday that assistant coaches Grant Bashford and Hugh Reece-Edwards would act as caretakers for the last three games of the Super Rugby campaign as the union tried to control the fallout from coach John Plumtree's axing.
Plumtree's five-year tenure ended earlier this month when incoming Sharks chief executive John Smit announced that his services would no longer be required at the conclusion of the Super Rugby season, but the former has received a sizeable "golden handshake" after a tense meeting at Kings Park on Monday.
Smit named Brendan Venter as the Sharks' new director of rugby as from next month, though the details of that appointment remain vague.
Instead of suffering the indignity of coaching the team in the final weeks knowing that he was already axed, Plumtree walked away. His move apparently caught the Sharks hierarchy by surprise. For more than 12 hours there was confusion about who would lead the team against the Blues this weekend.
KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union president Graham McKenzie confirmed the extent of the upheaval after Plumtree's decision to move on when he admitted on radio yesterday morning that the "immediate effect wasn't an outcome we were predicting".
Repeated efforts to speak to Smit were ignored, while Plumtree has gone to ground after receiving a healthy settlement package.
Sources revealed that Plumtree threatened to take the Sharks to court over a verbal agreement that he would receive a further two-year extension on his current contract.
Smit's decision to axe Plumtree apparently failed to consider the implications of an assurance of another two-year deal for the coach and as a consequence he has been paid out.
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