The Sharks’ majority shareholder Marco Masotti believes his team has been caught in a perfect storm but reiterated the buck — in every sense — stops with him at the underperforming franchise.
Despite heavy investment by Masotti and others, the Sharks have had a bear run in the results column. But Masotti remains bullish though his team went into yesterday’s United Rugby Championship (URC) clash against the Lions last on the points table.
In a wide-ranging interview, Masotti expressed his displeasure with the team’s results.
“I’m incredibly upset about the results. I’m upset for our fans and for everyone who has worked really hard on the ground trying to turn things around. Having said that, it is one of the times where I am the most comfortable with the structure, the coaching structure, that has been put in place.”
Commitment to the cause
Masotti reiterated his sense of responsibility and commitment to the cause. “If there is a financial hole, I’m plugging it. It belongs to me, so I have the ultimate responsibility to our business and our fans.”
We can be both the No 1 country and have the top clubs in the world. One should not come at the expense of the other
— Sharks’ majority shareholder Marco Masotti
Masotti argues the Sharks’ poor results were partly due to external influences, the success of the Springboks at the Rugby World Cup being a contributing factor. “It was a perfect storm. We had Springboks at the World Cup and coaches who insisted on resting them when they weren’t playing (for the Boks).
“We had injuries, cornerstone Boks injured at the World Cup. We had players in key positions injured, we had a tough schedule. We probably had some poor decisions that were made in the past, and we were a little unlucky. When you lose it can also become a little bit of a habit.”
Apart from dealing with new players, the Sharks are also in the midst of establishing a new coaching order. Head coach John Plumtree and Co need time to put their stamp on the squad.
“I see a great culture emerging as the coaches settle in together and players return from injury. We are definitely missing a few chess pieces but there is a clear plan to address that. On the rugby part of the business, I’m feeling good and a lot more comfortable — I didn’t feel that in the past.”
Masotti elaborated on the last point. “We invested. Coach [Sean] Everitt’s contract was extended. You have to understand [that] I’m sitting in New York and have to feel very comfortable with things on the ground — and I didn’t feel as comfortable [then] as I do now.”
He said the Sharks have added a chief brand officer, a revenue officer and have appointed someone who can establish a hall of fame.
The New York-based asset management adviser explained that after initial pushback his involvement is now limited to a weekly phone call with CEO Ed Coetzee and a fortnightly chat with the coaches.
“There was always a bit of reluctance to me being involved — and it was interpreted as being too involved, given the previous structure of South African rugby clubs. I felt it was the opposite of this, but I believe I needed to start hearing directly from the coaches. That for me has become vital. If you are an owner — and I try to come to Durban as much as I can — I have to be comfortable with the team on the ground.”
Curiously, Masotti says it feels as if the Sharks have only reached the starter’s blocks. Originally Covid-19, the KwaZulu-Natal riots and flooding, as well as a later change in coaching staff, have helped apply the handbrake.
Bridges need strengthening
Though things have improved, Masotti believes the relationship between SA Rugby and the franchises needs strengthening. “I think that is a massive challenge for the rugby business in South Africa.”
Though he was thoroughly thrilled by the Boks’ success, he argues: “That can’t come at the expense of the clubs, when you have private owners building businesses. We can be both the No 1 country and have the top clubs in the world. One should not come at the expense of the other.
“By having the top clubs in the world it will only serve the Springboks in the long term. Right now, the thinking is that the clubs are feeder systems for the Springboks.”
That certainly is a stumbling block in Masotti's quest to establish the Sharks as one of the best rugby brands in the world.
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