Kiwi Plumtree joins Irish backroom staff as forwards coach
Plumtree’s most recent job was as head coach of the Natal Sharks, where he won two Currie Cups as well as reaching the final of the Super Rugby competition in 2012 and was named South African Coach of the Year.
The new coach began his playing career with native Taranaki in New Zealand before moving to South Africa to join the Sharks in 1988. The flanker/lock helped his side to Currie Cup wins in 1990 and 1996.
Plumtree’s first coaching job was at Swansea RFC in 1997, where his successes included a Welsh League title and a Welsh Cup. Upon returning home, he had a brief spell as video analyst for the All Blacks in 2001 before taking charge of Wellington’s NPC side for five seasons.
Plumtree moved back to the Sharks as assistant coach to former team-mate Dick Muir in 2007. When Muir joined the Springboks set-up the season after, Plumtree was promoted to head coach, a position he held until June of this year.
His exit was highly controversial and left him “very disappointed with the way I was treated”.
The Sharks had appointed John Smit as CEO and the former Springbok captain felt the need for fresh ideas at a coaching level. Plumtree lost his job but only learned about it through the media.
Plumtree told SA Rugby: “I had been led to believe I had a new contract, and then suddenly I didn’t and read in the media that things had been happening behind my back.”
After what had been a successful five-year tenure, Plumtree was shocked at learning that he would be let go: “I just did not see it coming that I was deemed no longer good enough. It still hurts to wake up and know I am no longer coaching the team I have loved since my days as a player.”
The Kiwi had intended to return home in search of work until Schmidt convinced him to take up the opportunity in Ireland, despite interest from a New Zealand franchise and clubs in the UK.
Plumtree is regarded as strong-headed, very honest and someone who is direct in his interaction with players. That approach will fit perfectly with Schmidt and Les Kiss.
At the Sharks, Plumtree was known for insisting his players respected the tradition and history of the jersey they wore, and it’s likely he will bring those values to the Ireland set-up.
Plumtree’s main area of expertise is the breakdown, where he is renowned as having a superb understanding of the skills involved in creating quick ball in attack and the techniques involved in stealing ball defensively. The Sharks have been dominant at the breakdown under Plumtree’s watch, with their set piece also consistently strong.
As a former flanker/lock, it is very unlikely that Plumtree will be asked to moonlight as scrum coach.
Instead, his focus will be on ensuring an efficient lineout platform to provide Schmidt’s side with clean possession. The Ireland coach will also task Plumtree with making the breakdown work the best in the Northern Hemisphere.
This is Plumtree’s first job at international level and he says he is excited about the challenge: “I am really looking forward to becoming part of the Irish coaching set-up. Having watched a number of recent test matches there are some really positive challenges in front of us.”
After the disappointment of his exit from the Sharks, Plumtree has the chance to start afresh as part of Schmidt’s exciting new Ireland regime, part of which will be plotting a first win over the All Blacks later this year.
Breakdown
This is Plumtree’s area of strength and the prospect of the quick ball his breakdown knowledge will afford Ireland is hugely promising. Schmidt will want to keep the tempo up and Plumtree’s forwards will need to efficiently clear out the rucks to ensure Murray and Sexton have ideal possession.
Lineout
Ireland have had well-documented problems at the lineout in the past year, and Plumtree will be expected to fix them. Rory Best has taken most of the flak for his poor throwing, but the set piece is a group responsibility. Plumtree will work withPaul O’Connell to develop a more efficient system.
Physical dominance
Plumtree places great physical demands on his forwards, something that should sit well with Ireland’s established internationals. The Kiwi’s hard-nosed approach means Ireland’s pack will be expected to dominate the opposition in every game. If they can do that, Schmidt’s well-drilled backs will break down any defence.
— Murray Kinsella
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