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Is Allister Coetzee the worst Springbok coach in history?

13th November, 2017
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Allister Coetzee might not be the right fit for the Boks. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Expert
13th November, 2017
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No Sprinboks coach has had a worse record with as many Test matches (22) as Allister Coetzee.

No-one has shown such an ability to be blown away without any semblance of an effective adjustment to game plan or attitude during oranges.

Nobody has allowed 114 points to be scored by an opponent in consecutive matches (the All Blacks in Durban in 2016; in Albany, this year).

Never has a Springbok coach made more excuses, had more assistance, been given more chances (even after going winless in Europe, including in Italy).

No South African rugby follower has ever listened to a less penitent coach after these horror losses.

On each occasion, whether after losing to Argentina or being crushed by Ireland, Coetzee sounds bloodless, clueless, and spineless.

Allister Coetzee South Africa Springboks Rugby Union 2016

(AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

He begged for a reprieve in 2017 citing a lack of time, assistance, and support; and in return, in 2017, flush with all the aid he pleaded for, gave us record defeats.

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He cannot blame the exigencies of the quota (50 per cent by 2019 of the team cannot be white), because ‘self-deportation’ of white players has spiked, and Test-quality black players are slowly increasing.

Most importantly, he selected Andries Coetzee at fullback, Jesse Kriel at outside centre, and Ross Cronje at scrumhalf after their unsuitability to Test rugby (in Kriel’s case, at that particular position) was clearly proved (Warrick Gelant, Lukhanyo Am, Lionel Mapoe, and Rudy Paige all were worth a shot, given 0-57 and 3-38 scorelines).

Stubbornly sticking with Elton Jantjies as his form and confidence slipped farther and farther into mediocrity, and vacillating between a kick-chase and ball-in-hand 1-3-3-1 pod attack, Coetzee never seemed to use his bench with any acumen.

Cape Town was a player’s revolt. Dublin was Coetzee’s insistence on his “way”.

Timing be damned. Send him home. Pay him. Trust me, there’s money to do it. Move on.

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