Sharks rugby seems to be in disarray as stories surface regarding issues within the Union and players! Now even though nothing has been confirmed officially, it does seem to make sense as to why the sudden problems the Sharks are having.

Sport24

What has been clear from a supporter’s viewpoint is that although injuries are playing a major role in the problems, it still remains clear that there are other areas of concern. The article below puts things into perspective and “if true” should be dealt with immediately and the players involved taken to task as there is no place for this kind of behavior within our sporting fraternities.

If the captain is alone on this crusade, should he answer in full and be released from his contract? Another issue still unresolved is the dropping of Ryan Kankowski from the Sharks squad, as it does not make sense and this is a coaching staff issue but is there more to the story?

One thing is very clear now and that is that injuries alone are not to blame for the Sharks failures this season.

(See Sharks reaction and DENIAL at the bottom)

Read the following Article:

Anglo-Boere-oorlog woed oënskynlik weer in Haaie-rugby.

Dit wordop goeie gesag verneem die jongste krisis wat die Haaie ondermyn, is skynbaar beweerde onenigheid tussen die kaptein, Keegan Daniel, en van die Afrikaanssprekende spelers in die span.

Betroubare bronne het bevestig dat Daniel glo sou gesê het daar is té veel Afrikaners in Haaie-rugby betrokke.

Dit het die meerderheid Afrikaanssprekende spelers in die Haaie se span kwaai omgekrap. Van hulle het hom glo aangevat oor dié beweerde uitlating.

Die onderstrominge in Haaie-rugby verdiep by die dag en die span se probleme is skynbaar nie net tot die speelveld beperk nie – waar hulle hul laaste vyf wedstryde verloor het en afgeskuif het tot die elfde plek op die Super-puntelys – maar strek veel dieper.

Na bewering is alles ook nie een honderd persent in die Haaie se raadsaal nie. Slegs ses uit die 22-tal wat die Haaie die afgelope naweek in die nederlaag teen die Reds in Brisbane ingespan het, was nie Afrikaanssprekend nie.

Hulle is Daniel, Lwazi Mvovo, Patrick Lambie, Kyle Cooper, Odwa Ndungane en Monde Hadebe.

Volgens bronne voel Daniel as kaptein glo geïsoleerd in die Haaie-span wat grootliks Afrikaanssprekendes bevat. Daar is na bewering ook sogenaamde klieks in die spangeledere.

Boonop is die afrigtingspan ook uitsluitlik Engelssprekend, hoewel daar nie enige sprake van ongelukkigheid tussen hulle en die spelers is nie.

Volgens ingeligtes is die Haaie op die huidige oomblik ’n baie verdeelde groep, en word daar in die span in verskillende rigtings getrek.

In die raadsale is daar na bewering ook probleme, met gerugte van ’n sogenaamde Operasie Skoonmaak onder die Haaie-bestuur. Die uitvoerende hoof, Brian van Zyl, was na bewering die eerste slagoffer. Sy plek word eersdaags deur die oud-Bok-kaptein John Smit geneem nadat hy besluit het om vroeg af te tree.

Van die volgende teikens wat nou glo in die visier van ongelukkiges is, is die afrigter, John Plumtree, en die kommersiële bestuurder, Rudolf Straeuli.

Smit het juis die afgelope naweek aan ’n Sondag-koerant gesê die moeilikste deel van sy nuwe posisie by die Haaie gaan wees om “besluite te neem oor die toekoms van mense wat ek ken en saam met wie ek nou saamgewerk het in die verlede”.

Hy het voorts gesê hoewel dit glad nie aangenaam is nie, gaan dit waarskynlik deel van sy werk wees om mense soms die trekpas te moet gee.

Dit alles dui daarop dat die nuwe besem in Haaie-rugby die taak gaan hê om te moet skoonvee, en dat ’n paar koppe, selfs van die grotes, in die slag kan bly.

In a strongly worded response The Sharks Rugby Union has release the following Media Release:

Durban, 14 May 2013: With reference to an article that appeared in the Beeld Newspaper yesterday, The Sharks (Pty) Ltd would like to place on record the following:

The Sharks strongly condemn this article, which borders on sensational and tabloid journalism. The report is unsubstantiated and irresponsible and we strongly deny that any such rift is evident in the camp.

In response to the article, The Sharks captain, Keegan Daniel stated, “I was shocked to hear about these allegations. I can’t believe that someone would say this about me in order to try and sell newspapers. It is an attack on my integrity, which is very disappointing, and it is most untrue.

“I have never had a problem with any person in our rugby squad. Since this report surfaced I have had nothing but support from my teammates of all cultures. This is a lesson that younger players in our squad can learn – when a team is struggling with form then you become an easy target.”

The Sharks CEO, Brian van Zyl added, “The Sharks team’s strength has always been its diversity. The same squad pulled together less than 12 months ago to get into the Vodacom Super Rugby Final. They play for each other and their jersey. The cultural and language demographics within the team are a strength from which the team has drawn.

“I have been in touch with John Plumtree and team management and have been informed that at a team meeting, which took place this afternoon, all players stood firmly behind Keegan Daniel as Captain.”

The Sharks are focused on their upcoming match against the Force on Friday and are determined to end their tour on a positive note.