Jimmy Stonehouse and the Sharks: The Truth
UPDATE: It was a bolt from the blue, but many pundits had been petitioning for it in earnest. Jimmy Stonehouse should be involved in a United Rugby Championship franchise.
Then, in late September, on the eve of their departure for a three-match European trip, it was disclosed that Stonehouse would be involved at the Sharks in an ‘advisory’ role.
“Jimmy is a thorough rugby man and a bit old school like me,” Sharks coach John Plumtree said at the time, adding: “We’re looking to bring him in to watch over us as a group.
“He will have a set of eyes over our team, and we can utilise his experience.
“He will tour with us for a week or two.”
However, it has not yet materialised, with talks ongoing.
Despite all the reports of his involvement, he has not spent a single second with the Sharks.
(Continue below …)
In fact, Stonehouse told @rugby365com, in an exclusive interview, that he first read about his involvement in the media dispatches.
“After that, there was a conversation with me about when I can travel abroad,” he said.
However, another tournament proved to be the proverbial ‘spoke in the wheel’.
“At that stage, I was busy coaching the Pumas to take part in the Cheetahs’ Challenge Series.
“We had an agreement that I would join them after their first tour match [against Glasgow Warriors, on September 26].
“We [the Pumas] would have played Portugal and Georgia [Black Lion].”
Then, the Challenge Series was reduced to two matches between the Cheetahs and Black Lion.
“The Sunday night, the Cheetahs informed us that our two games [Portugal and Black Lion] have been called off.
“Try as they might, the Sharks could not arrange a visa for me to join them abroad, and I am still in Nelspruit.”
Stonehouse, despite not having spent a second in the Sharks camp, keeps reading comments from ‘pundits’ asking what his impact is at the Sharks.
Conversations about a potential role in Durban are ongoing, and the ‘advisory role’ is not off the table yet.
@rugby365com
