Although the Boks are the best team in world rugby and are possibly the finest Bok team ever, the debate around Peter De Villiers as coach is as polarised as ever, with those who claim him to be the best Bok coach ever and those who hold the view that he has been fortunate to inherit the best Bok team ever.
This has become a difficult subject to get objectivity on as like many other areas of South African life, it has become political.
Furthermore one gets the impression that a lot of observers are avoiding this subject as whatever your view, you are likely to get attacked by those on the other side of the political spectrum. As a result a lot of the comment tends to scratch the surface without taking a deeper look at what the requirements of a modern day coach should be.
When last did you hear a statement from the manager of the Bok team?
Do we even know who the manager of the Bok team is?
The modern day coach is in effect a manager. He needs to assemble a team of specialists around him who effectively take care of most of the coaching from a practical day to day point of view. The coach is therefore the managing director of the company. In managing his team of specialists and players he needs to be the one who has excellent man management skills as well as possesing the vision and direction in order to keep the team moving forward into the future. So although he needs to emply specialists, such as a scrumming coach, he also needs to have a very good tactical and technical knowledge of the game. This is where team selection becomes one of his most important roles and an area where his ability is tested out in the open for all to see. Simply put, the team selection, tactics and adaption on the day fall upon his shoulders.
Peter De Villiers needs to be judged in the light of the above requirements of a modern day coach. There can be no doubt that his attitude today is very different from when he first took on the job of Bok coach. His failure with the press is well documented. His racial statements in defending himself did not help his cause. His romantic view about the number of black players that should be represented in the team and his stated views on playing a brand of total rugby have all been adjusted as he has no doubt come to understand the pressures of being the Bok coach and the absolute importance of winning as a Bok coach.
In short he appears to have learnt on the job, which in itself is something that all good managers are very capable of. It is true that he has had an exceptional group of players to work with and there can be no discounting his passion and commitment to the cause of Bok rugby. He will still be challenged in the months to come and once again, how he responds as a manager to those challenges will determine his continued success or failure.
The harsh reality is that you are only as good as your last game, whether you are a player or a coach. Here is hoping that the Boks go from strength to strength.
TIGHT HEAD
@fender – Of course fender, just playing around…..your anonymity will definately be respected!!!!!
@Treehugger –
He seems to be doing okay with old war horses we have lost so far…
Monty, Butch, Os all have been replaced with great back up players.
We know we have someone for Schalk too, there are plenty of guys that played in the Emerging Bok team that can cover for Juan.
Spies and Kanko keeps our 8’s healthy.
Jean is lost now but we have had 4 centres that has regularly received game time and are experienced.
Perhaps a problem on wing but I am sure some okes will step up.
We need another Bakkies imo, but other than that, I think we are okay.
@Puma – Hello Provincial Man of Mystery 🙂
@fender –
I dont even have a photo of myself, but as I tell my better half, I know what I look like so I dont need to remind myself! 😉
@Treehugger – 63
😀 Yip, that is me. How you Treehugger? Have you joined SuperBru for the Cricket? There is about 40min left to do so. Or don’t you watch cricket?
@Morné – Hiho Morne 🙂 I mean when he has to start replaceing most of the team with new players and what his choices will be, I think that will be a interesting time.
@Treehugger –
We are in such an enviable situation where most of our guys will be around for 2011. And unlike AB or Aus, most of our guys want to stay in SA and play for the Boks – says a lot I reckon…
One thing is for sure, I think we are screwed if we lose John – but then again, captains like that come around once in a generation.
@Morn̩ Р67
Agree Morne, Without John it just may fall apart then again maybe not. I think he will be around until wc 2011. Hoping. He is a once off captain that you don’t find easy.
@Puma – I love cricket, but loath 20/20. So will be watching just now, but that Movie WOLF CREEK starts at 2 and have been wanting to see it as well so will be flicking between the two.
Dont ever watch scary stuff cause it stays in my head, but this is very good and a true story in Australia and its drizzleing got loads of junkfood and am going to wrap up in a blankie on the bed 🙂 and watch.
Well we have to keep the tw0 squeling piglets happy and quiet….
@fender –
#59 Treehugger,
I don’t equate winning with being good. All that winning does for a coach is secure his/her continued employment. There are just too many coaches partcularly in soccer, who have successful with one club after being being fired by another for a lack of success.
Has Robbie Deans become a poor coach because Oz has lost the last three or more games against the ABs?
And we’ve got to be realistic about the future, even if we had Deans as Boks coach, would it be realistic to expect continued success if we lose Smittie, Victor, FdP, Pakslae? If we expect the team to take a dip because of those player losses, how does that make PdV a bad coach again?
@Morn̩ РOur Captain is a LEGEND.
@Treehugger – 69
Jeepers the weather is bad here today in Umhlanga. Cold feels colder than winter.
Think its one day they are playing in this tourney. So its a lot more exciting.
@Treehugger – 69
Its a 50 over game today. Should be good.
@fender – Hold on i am thinking about what you said and how to answer.
Cheers all back later.
Good luck to our cricket team. Go Proteas.
Graeme Smith one the Toss….Proteas to bowl first…..
GO PROTEAS!!!!!!
Treehugger this is a limited overs tourny, ie 50 overs, not t20
@fender – Ok regarding the replacement of players, he is a good coach if he selects the best players at his disposal in there chosen positions and colour haveing nothing to do with it.
Your first couple of sentences i find very difficult to answer because it seems true of coaches, but i think someone with a lot more knowledge than me might be able to answer that better. I know i wasnt very helpfull.
#75 Treehugger
Bakgat!
@Tripples – Hi Tripples, yes i know its 50/50, how are you. Am off to watch tv now have a great day.
A message for Carol,never heard of wellies with heels was talking about leather boots like hikeing boots a friend brought me from Argentina. They very butch with thick rubber treads and inch high heel.
Bye see all later maybe.
@fender – Dammit Fender i have to go, what does bakgat mean?
#79 Treehugger
It’s cool Treehugger.
Actually, the reason why I’m asking these questions is simply because I’m a Peoplehugger at heart (easy now, Stan!). We are often so quick to judge, applaud and then dismiss players and coaches as incompetent without first weighing up all the facts.
I was taught that I should not say something behind someone’s back that I wasn’t prepared to say in their faces. It remains a wonderful filter system.
Good stuff, nice,okay, goody and so on.
@Treehugger –
Where is your pic Miss Wise ass?
@fender –
@Tripples – 77
You watching Tripples. GS won the toss for a change and we are fielding first.
Go Proteas.
@Puma – no at work but have got a live thread going on cricinfo………
hoesit almal. puma ek praat nie oor die sharks nie dis nog n teer saak
howzat mr stratocaster
Dink PRoteas moes eers gebat het… alklaar 5/0 van 4 balle
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