Powell puts special emphasis on building a new style for the Sharks: The Sharks will ditch the ‘galacticos’ strategy and instead focus on building from within as they plot a path back into the elite international club competitions.
After their 35-5 defeat to Leinster in Saturday’s URC quarterfinal in Dublin, Sharks director of rugby Neil Powell said more attention would be placed on creating depth with special focus given to the junior ranks as the franchise seeks to re-establish a"Sharks way".
The Sharks had whipped out the cheque book signing a galaxy of stars including Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Ox Nche and Rohan Janse van Rensburg in hopes of winning the URC and Champions Cup. However defeats in the quarterfinals in the last two years of the URC along with a thumping loss to Toulouse in the last eight of this year’s Champions Cup, has made the ‘galacticos’ method look like a big waste of money. In addition Kolisi and prop Thomas du Toit will be heading to European clubs next season.
“We have to build better depth through the academy so that we fill the senior side from the bottom,” said Powell. “That is a long-term plan and hopefully we get that right in the next three years to ensure we have a system that is sustainable and better squad depth so that no matter what 23 we put on the field, they are still a very good side.”
Allied to that plan is the need for the Sharks to create a style that suits the players. Powell, who will return to his role as director of rugby, explained the importance of aligning with the coaches throughout the ranks, including the senior team’s new head coach John Plumtree. “My responsibility is to look more at the system and make sure we build players through the academy.
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