Sharks restructure their coaching set-up
As the Cell C Sharks and the South African franchises
prepare for the United Rugby Championship, the Sharks have made a number of changes
to their coaching structures going forward.
With the move to the Northern Hemisphere and the shift into what is an unknown realm of rugby, the Sharks have dipped into the European pool of coaches looking for expertise that they wouldn’t find locally to help head coach Sean Everitt.
The Sharks attack will be led by Irishman Noel McNamara, who joins the coaching staff at Jonsson Kings Park following stints with Leinster and the Irish Under 20 side.
Taking over the defensive structures will be the experienced John McFarland who joins the Sharks following several coaching positions around the world including a successful period at the Bulls as well as the Springboks.
McFarland will be in charge of the defensive systems until current Blitz Bokke coach Neil Powell joins the Sharks after the 2022 World Rugby Sevens World Cup.
“We are pleased to have secured the expertise of these experienced coaches who not only have great coaching pedigrees, but are good people, who will fit seamlessly into our culture here at the Cell C Sharks,” CEO of The Sharks Dr. Eduard Coetzee said via the statement from the side.
“The result of the Rainbow Cup final played in Treviso, is a timely warning that South African rugby cannot adopt a conservative outlook, and with this in mind it is exciting to welcome these coaches to our Cell C Sharks coaching team.
“They will impart their knowledge of the northern hemisphere conditions and style of play, as we prepare for our participation in a new tournament.”
The Sharks will lose their assistant coach Brent Jansen van Rensberg who has asked for an early exit from his contract due to family reasons.
“We have identified areas of our game that we want to
improve in and will be announcing further coaching appointments in the coming
weeks,” Coetzee continued.
“We are confident that we’ve assembled a high-level technical team, who will
support our head coach in the effective execution of our playing DNA, and which
reaffirms our commitment of creating a winning mindset across all spheres of
our business.”
Amongst the retained coaches are forwards coach Etienne Fynn and skills coach Phiwe Nomlomo.
