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.
Glen Gavin
Guest
You speak sense, I hope they, who ever they are listen.
Harry Jones
Expert
He makes a lot of enemies. And our leaders are very childish.
ukkiwi
Guest
With the abdication of Mr Key I think it's time for Richie to step up and captain New Zealand.
Problem is there are too many ego's in HQ, and once you burn your bridges with them , you are never allowed back into the inner sanctum.
Harry Jones
Expert
Yes He wins
davSA
Guest
Sorry I meant World Rugby .. no longer IRB . Changed their name but still haven't any spine. In 2011 they threatened both Fiji and Sri Lanka RFU's with expulsion for not complying with their bye laws . So they can apply the laws when it is expedient . However Bye Law 3 of the Common Association Constitution states "To prevent discrimination of any kind against a country , private person, or groups of people on account of ethnic origin gender , language , religion politics or any other reason." appears to be very open to interpretation by them.
davSA
Guest
Sadly Harry he is , hope its not too serious. His release from Montpellier rumoured to be because of off field clashes with Roy Spiers the club President. This is an ongoing pattern of his throughout his coaching. But who can argue with his results.
Harry Jones
Expert
I've started watching a lot of Saracens, Montpelier, Bath, Ulster, and Munster. 50% Saffa...
Harry Jones
Expert
But he is sick?
davSA
Guest
Montpellier are releasing Jake White from his contract at seasons end. Can we see his return. Stranger things have happened. Not many stranger things , but I can only hope.
I've lost the dream a while ago Harry
Harry Jones
Expert
Rennie: - A Cook Islander Kiwi; so ANC might like him - Not happy about Glasgow job instead of leading ABs - Could be at RWC 2019 -- in NZ pool! - Seems great idea for him, except for politics
Harry Jones
Expert
Maybe it was you, BB
Can't fault the guy for dreaming :)
Rugby Tragic
Guest
LMAO!! ... pinch me!, I thought it was about Christmas, not April 1st!! ..... someone is having a joke on Wikipedia on Dave Rennie .... and extract follows.. "In 2017 he took reign of the failing South African Springboks and brought back a level of pride that had dissappeared under the coaching of Alister, Toetie, Coetzee. Through a change in policy implemented at SARU, Rennie's Boks saw the return of Francois Steyn, Bismarck du Plessis, Marcel Coetzee and many other talented South Africans previously unavailable for selection. These changes saw what has been termed "the greatest team turnaround of all time" by the great Naas Botha, an ever enthusiastic retired Bok and now commentator and analyst. Rennie's Boks went on to klap England, Australia and the AB's during each encounter over the following 10 years and claimed 2 Rugby World Cup titles in the process. Rennie's influence was visible through the transition phase when eventually retiring and the Boks succession planning was second to none.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
We will all know on the 13th December unless SARU defer a decision. It being reported in NZ that Dave Rennie is on the short list, there maybe some currency on that as with NZRU imposing conditions of what they expect the next AB coach to do... that is serve an apprenticeship with the existing regime does suit him. He wants to coach overseas and will achieve that with Glasgow Warriors ...
Cliff (Bishkek)
Guest
This article lost me when the words were mentioned - "There’s no doubt that Allister is a good coach ..... " Complete failure of fact!
davSA
Guest
They won the first one because they had a magnificent coach in Kitch Christie , a great side and home ground played a huge role. Then there was that bit of magic too in the final. They won the second because they had a team with some of the greats of the SA and possibly world game involved. Think Matfield , Fourie Du Preez , Bryan Habana , OS Du Rand ,Bakkies Botha , Jaques Fourie , and a superb captain in John Smit . . They also had the ideal coach for the circumstances . Also bringing in Eddie Jones in Jakes Whites own words had a huge role to play. The common denominator on the playing field in both wins was OS Du Rand. In the era of the power game as long as he was in your team no side could ever better the bok scrum. Politics have throughout history played a big role in the SA set up . Its just that of late the politics have become more important than the on field results and are developing a real sinister side. IRB are you listening. Sooner or later you are going to have to be accountable to your own constitution. And are going to be held accountable !
Sean Howard
Guest
I think the best we can hope for in the short-term is a clean out of the assistant coaching staff with genuine international class assistants replacing them. AC will have to remain in a figurehead capacity. Ideal assistant team would be something like Jacques Nienaber on defence (buy him out of Munster), Brendan Venter on attack (even if it's a part-time capacity), Richie Gray on the breakdown, Mark Steele on strength/conditioning and keep Matt Proudfoot in the forwards (we've at least done well in set-piece this year). The cost of firing AC and getting in a truly world class coach seems out of reach both financially and practically-speaking. I can't see any foreign coach worth their salt stepping into a no-win situation that will only damage their personal reputation. But this is only the tip of the iceberg. The real changes need to be made much higher up the chain and until the contracting / administration mess is sorted out, no long-lasting improvements will be made. Sadly, it's this area that is least likely to change for the better any time soon.
richard
Guest
Makes one wonder how SA have managed to win 2 RWC's.