Like father, like son for Plumtrees as Sharks’ Boks are back for Scarlets

JOHN Plumtree says he would like his son Taine to have a good game for the Scarlets against the Sharks tonight (8.35pm kick-off, SA time), “but not too good”.

The Sharks coach had a smile on his face as he spoke about the emotional challenge of coaching against his son.

Taine was born in Wales when his dad was coaching Swansea (now the Ospreys), was raised mostly in Durban (when Plumtree coached the Sharks in his first tenure), and grew into an adult in New Zealand.

The 24-year-old loose forward was looking to return to Durban to play for his father at the Sharks, but Warren Gatland invited him to try out for Wales, and the rest is history.

Taine debuted for the Welsh last year, but was out for a long period with injury. Last week, he made a comeback in the Scarlets’ loss to Edinburgh.

“As long as he’s safe at the end of it … he’s just come back from a serious injury, and it’s only his second game back. Yes, I want him to do well in the game, but it is a Sharks win that I’m after,” the big Kiwi said before mentioning some banter between him and Taine, who gave an interview to local media a few days ago.

“He’s fired a few shots in the press, saying if he beats the Sharks, he’ll get to sit at the head of the family table. I told him what I think about that. It’s not going to happen while I’m alive!”

Plumtree said his squad has been 100% focused on the Scarlets despite the big one against Clermont next week in the Challenge Cup semifinal in London. “The only thing that matters this week is the standard of performance against the Scarlets.”

Plumtree says there are a few things that the team must get right this week.

“Our set piece must function well. Defence is vital, and so is discipline. We’re down to around eight penalties a game, which is good, and our defence was good against Glasgow apart from a few soft moments. If we get those things right, we will be tough to beat.”

Plumtree has brought back his big guns for the match, including Bok stars Eben Etzebeth and Lukhanyo Am.