John Plumtree

John Plumtree is the current forwards coach for the Hurricanes and is the former head coach of the Natal Sharks, a rugby union team which competes in the Super Rugby and Currie Cup competitions. As a player Plumtree won two Currie Cup medals with the Sharks (1990, 1996); and as a coach he guided the Sharks to Currie Cup wins in 2008 and 2010.

Playing career

Plumtree was born on 16 July 1965 in Hawera, Taranaki. Plumtree and Lions coach John Mitchell were born and grew up in the same town, however, they only got to know one another later as players and coaches. Plumtree attended Hawera High School from 1976 to 1980.

Playing as a flanker in his native New Zealand, Plumtree represented Taranaki in the NPC 40 times, debuting in 1985. In 1989 he was selected to participate in trials for the All Blacks team.

Plumtree relocated to Durban, home of his South African wife. Reflecting on this move he later told the New Zealand Herald: "I did not want to get caught being a young rugby player in a small town for a long time. I thought if I got out of Hawera for a little while another door might open up." So he accepted the opportunity to play for Durban High School Old Boys RFC, home to quite a number of overseas players at the time. These included Murray Mexted, Mike Teague, Chris Butcher, Martin Whitcombe and Peter Winterbottom.