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We have heard many times how coaches talk about a ‘horses for courses’ team – a team picked based on certain unique challenges and objectives.
This includes challenges a specific opponent poses, the weather conditions, employing a specific game plan – think More Steyn against the Wallace in Pretoria – etc.
The point that I’m trying to make is that at certain instances, based on unique challenges, a team needs a ‘horses for courses coach.’
In the case of the Springboks, my question is: “Is Allister Coetzee the right man/horse for the unique challenges the Springboks are facing at this point in time?”
There’s no doubt that Allister is a good coach, but is he the right coach for the national team at this time?
SA rugby has never before in its illustrious history been in the mess it finds itself in currently. Besides their abysmal record this year under the current climate, SA rugby as a union is in an absolute mess. Constant politicking, mismanagement of finances, amateur administration, the loss of players to foreign clubs and poor conditioning of our players which is a result of bad management of player welfare.
These all contribute to what Allister Coetzee has to face as the coach of the Springboks and this all has had an effect on the results of the team.
Never before in his career as a coach have the odds of succeeding been so heavily stacked against him. And this is where one can’t help but have sympathy for him as no coach in world rugby has to operate in such a unique environment.
Make no mistake, I’m by no means excusing Coetzee for the poor performances produced by the Springboks under his tutelage thus far. My point is just this, in considering all of these challenges, Allister may not be the ‘horses for courses’ coach the Springboks need at this time.
Such an environment calls for a certain personality and a certain skill set to steer the ship of the Springbok rugby team through these troubled waters. If Allister does not get the chop then he definitely needs such a personality as part of his management team. But methinks such a personality would be better suited to take charge of the team as opposed to being an assistant.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.