Top candidates gun for Golden Lions position.

 
THE Golden Lions Rugby Union bosses may have to rack their brains this week to decide on a new director of coaching following the impressive list of candidates who are believed to have submitted their applications for the job, writes Zeena Isaacs.

Springbok backline coach Dick Muir, Super 14-winning Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer and Western Province coach Allister Coetzee are said to be the local favourites to take up the position.

Former Bulls coach Rudy Joubert and Lions Currie Cup coach Hans Coetzee are also believed to have thrown their names into the hat.

Lions CEO Manie Reyneke confirmed on Sunday that there were about five international applications among the 16 received.

With such coaches to choose from, hopes of the Lions becoming a force to be reckoned with in the Super 14 in the next few years may not be as far-fetched as it might have seemed a few months ago.

While questions may be raised about Muir’s application, given his role in the national team, he should be able to juggle the roles successfully in the same way as Bok forwards coach Gary Gold doubles up as the Stormers assistant coach.
The Lions board of directors met late yesterday afternoon to sift through the applications and draw up a short list of candidates.

These candidates are expected to be interviewed in the next few days, with a final call on the new coach set to be made by the end of the week.

Strong rumours surfaced at the weekend that former Springbok coach Jake White, who is a consultant with the Lions, is punting Coetzee for the job. However, it remains to be seen if White has any influence in the decision.

Meanwhile, the Lions announced yesterday that they had acquired the services of Griquas captain and No8 Jonathan Mokuena to boost their looseforward reserves ahead of the Super 14.

Apart from his physicality, Mokuena’s speed and high work rate on the field will be invaluable in the tough competition.

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