A total write-off, or a painful year that threw up fresh, exciting opportunities?

SOME time ago this Super Rugby season became a writeoff for the Sharks, for reasons that have been widely debated. There is no single factor responsible for their demise, but what is beyond vital is that the lessons are learned and the planning done now, during this time of crisis, to ensure a turnaround next year.

There has been something of a “domino affect” since the sudden departure of Jake White, and a lot of the Sharks’ future planning went with him. Gary Gold came in as director of rugby, but he has effectively done little “directing” and a whole lot of coaching.

He joined the squad late from his Japanese commitments and found himself in the deep end. And then came the injuries, the suspensions, and so on.

Gold has been the “fall guy”, taking some big hits from the disaffected public, but I reckon he has been more of a hero than a villain.

He has consistently accepted the blame for defeats and has not castigated his players, many of whom let him and their franchise down with silly misdemeanours.

Gold should not be judged on this season, but rather on what happens next year when he has had a chance to implement planning and, most importantly, has a head coach doing what he is currently doing.

When White did not work out at the Sharks, there not only had to be another change of coach and culture, but the timing of his exit would have caused headaches in the boardroom.

Big-name coaches are not easily available mid-season and a year out from a World Cup.

Gold was a viable option because he was coaching in Japan, and could be available when the season ended in that country.

Unfortunately he could not make the pre-season, and he has had to go with the planning of others.

Before Super Rugby next year a prominent coach must be head-hunted, and he must be allowed to appoint the assistants of his choice.

This is in no way a criticism of Brad Macleod-Henderson, Sean Everitt, Paul Anthony and Michael Horak – and if a new coach rates and wants them, cool.

The point is that a new coach should be able to start from scratch with assistants who he is comfortable with.

In short, the Sharks need solid structures in place for next year.

I have no doubt that the intellectual capital in the Sharks boardroom will get it right.

There are some bright sparks there, and I am certain they have been making phone calls for some time.

The Sharks have money to spend going forward thanks to a very good title sponsorship and some astute stewardship under John Smit, money they did not have last year.

There are two ways of looking at this situation the Sharks are in.

Either all is lost, especially with star players such as Bismarck and Jannie du Plessis and Willem Alberts almost certainly heading for France after the World Cup, or you can see 2015 as a watershed year that had its pain but conjured up fresh and exciting opportunities.

There are a lot of exciting young players who can provide the backbone for a new Sharks future, while a few household names have shown they are tired and need new challenges.

The young guys remaining just need solid structures in which to realise their potential, and they will get them.