Gary Gold
Cell C Sharks coach Gary Gold has said there is no ill-discipline rot in Durban and that the multiple Red Cards this season have been isolated incidents.
The Sharks were punished by a determined Crusaders side 52 / 10 on Saturday, and if 2 tries against them in the 1st 5 minutes did not spell out the end for the home team, Jean Deysel’s Red Card most certainly did.
The Sharks have now seen 3 Red Cards in 3 games, starting with captain Bismarck du Plessis being sent off for lashing out against the Chiefs, and Frans Steyn joining him on the sidelines for a tip tackle in the same game.
This week, another one of the Sharks’ senior players in Jean Deysel, was handed a Red Card for a deliberate knee to a Crusaders player’s head.
Du Plessis was banned for 4 weeks, with Steyn out for 5 on appeal, after initially getting off scot free.
It remains to be seen what sanction Deysel will receive, but Gold maintains there is no trend developing.
“It is isolated incidents,” Gold said of the offences that have been committed by Sharks players this season.
“By and large, our discipline is good.
“We are just on the wrong end of some pretty severe offences – and they are not acceptable.
“I though we were rid of them, but unfortunately, another one reared its head today.”
Gold does not believe there can be any explanation as to why these incidents keep occurring – with such regularity – as it is obviously not something that is promoted by the management.
“We certainly do not coach or condone foul play,” Gold added.
“I have never in my life, no matter what team I have been involved in, encouraged a player to commit foul play.”
Each of the incidents – apart from Steyn’s tackle, where intention is far harder to prove – have been shocking and uncalled for, but Gold believes things could have been different.
“The other 2 incidents (Du Plessis’ kick and Deysel’s knee) were silly incidents.” said the coach.
“If the knee was to the buttock instead of the head, he would have got a Yellow Card.
“If Bismarck lashed out and kicked the guy on his thigh, it would have been a Yellow Card too.
“I do not think we have an epidemic in the team, you have to take each of those incidents on merit.”
In saying that, Gold could only reiterate a call for consistency when the matter is inevitably referred to a SANZAR citing committee.
“If you take the Horwill incident (in the Reds vs Melbourne Rebels match on Friday) as precedent – a 2nd Red Card for the same player in a season for foul play with clear intent, punching a guy in the head,” Gold continued.
“I am sure Jean will have a hearing, and face a ban, but all I can ask for is that there is a level of consistancy.”
rugby365
Yeah right Gary… rotten to the core!
A fish rots from the head down… and the Cell C Sharks Franchise and Rugby Union will have to take dramatic action to correct this.
Too many egos floating around in Durban… unchecked!
Right from the CEO, John Smit, down to the players corps.
You are doing big damage to the brand… and if you are not careful it will consume your team!
So the Shark’s players must in future aim for the opposing player’s buttocks and thighs and rather aim for a yellow card instead of red?
Where do they get these people?
Now we know why Brendan has a clause in his contract that stipulates that he doesn’t have to speak to the media….maybe they should think about having such a clause inserted into Gold’s contract as well
I think we have a heir to the P Divvy throne…
“We are just on the wrong end of some pretty severe offences – and they are not acceptable.”
“I though we were rid of them, but unfortunately, another one reared its head today.” 😆
“We certainly do not coach or condone foul play,” Gold added.
“If the knee was to the buttock instead of the head, he would have got a Yellow Card.
If Bismarck lashed out and kicked the guy on his thigh, it would have been a Yellow Card too.”
😯
@ nortie:
2
😉
Crossed my mind,,
thee Sharks need to work on their control and retaliation technique,
for instance:
Jantjies under the ruck went for an eye gouging, the Bulls players no doubt anticipated it poked his left eye instead?
Par for the course? no one protested, no penalty nor card issued
I think during the amateur era retaliations were executed better 🙂
getting worse for the Sharks, with Lambie now set for at least 4 weeks of “rest”.
7 @ MacroBull:
Waar het jy dit raakgelees?
Has Gold ever won anything?
He seems to take over a team and then leave again without winning any trophies
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Gold
nortie wrote:
Does it sound familiar Nortie? 😛
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