Is Bok rugby heading towards a crisis? Well given that De Villiers is seemingly scrambling to get experts on-board and all of them are turning him down, it seems we are getting pretty close.
Anyone that has followed my views in the last 3 years will know that I back the coach first, this is not based on blind-faith, but mostly because of the fact that I believe the media and general public has a scarce understanding of what coaching a rugby team is actually about – no offense.
Of course we are lucky enough to have some media men who have played or coached teams before at high levels and it was following a short twitter conversation with one of these men that got me thinking that if anything had to change within the Springbok management like firing De Villiers, will anything actually change?
I have never supported any calls to fire Peter de Villiers, least of all now when everyone wants his head on a block. There are just too many reasons why this is a bad idea, most of which is timing but also that through some tweaking, I still believe the disaster which was the 2010 Springbok season can be turned around in time for next year’s World Cup with Peter de Villiers still involved.
And it is on that last point that I based my faith in the coach to stay on and not be shown the door where with the right support team or experts brought into the coaching and management setup, we will have a very good chance of success in New Zealand next year.
But now here comes the problem…
It seems not one person is interested in coming in and helping the national coach.
It has been reported that De Villiers has not only approached, one, or even two individuals to possibly come in and assist him, but by my last count and going on reports in the media, no less than 5 people turned down the invitation to work with him. They include Heyneke Meyer, John Mitchell, Rassie Erasmus, Allister Coetzee and Frans Ludeke.
Of course the reasons might not be as sinister as is reported in the media, one just has to remember that all these guys are in long-term contracts with their unions currently and will have to negotiate themselves out of those contracts or come to a compromise with the union, and take up a job which will effectively be a 12 month contract only, after which they will be more than likely, without a job again.
Also considering the pressure that will come with the job given the recent results, chances are reputations stand a much better chance of being damaged than enhanced and in rugby, that is suicide because people do not forget, or forgive.
Tank Lanning (I am sure he won’t mind me mentioning his name) however made a very good point. Given everyone who has turned down De Villiers request perhaps it is time for him (De Villiers) to look in the mirror and ask why.
It is a good point and one that cannot be ignored, although I would caution reading too much into this or over-simplifying the situation. Yes it is a great honour to be asked to assist the National Team or become part of that setup, but it is also just a job and one you have to weigh up against what you currently have.
As mentioned, all coaches approached so far have contracts with their unions extending beyond 2010 Rugby World Cup and it is also vital to remember the choices do not simply lie with these individuals, but the unions who employ them.
Peter de Villiers did not endear himself to the rugby public and fraternity in recent times, and yes I do agree this is a major factor for individuals not jumping at the opportunity to assist him, but if we are asking for him to do ‘the honourable thing’ and resign, just what will change or who will step in?
I do not for one second think any of the individuals mentioned will suddenly jump at the opportunity to become head coach of the Springboks should it be offered them, for pretty much the same reasons they are not willing to assist De Villiers right now. But there is of course that one guy in the wings whose name keeps on coming up, Jake White
Jake has himself made some valid points when he promoted his cause and willingness to become head coach and do a ‘hospital’ job with the Boks, most important of which that he knows all, or most of the players and have experienced and won a World Cup before.
I am however left with the burning question, should the out of contract White take over from De Villiers right now, will anyone be willing to jump on-board to help him, especially anyone currently turning down De Villiers? (Remember Eddie Jones already said he is unavailable)
I don’t think so, which is why I believe firing De Villiers now, or even him stepping down, won’t change a thing unless SA Rugby steps in.
If De Villiers is to convince anyone to come on-board they will need to have some form of assurance, like a contract or job extending beyond the World Cup next year.
It will be a very gutsy but innovative approach, where De Villiers’ successor is identified right now and brought into the setup. A setup which in my view, is heading towards a major crisis.
The fact that no top coaches want to assist Peter de Villiers is a scathing endictment in their faith in his abilities.
It is saying clearly I do not want to associate myself with a dodgy prospect, it is saying I will devalue myself by hitching up to this man and it will result in my image being tarnished, forever.
It says a hell of a lot about exactly what they think of De Villiers’ abilities.
This alone should worry the hell out of all South Africans, regarding our chances for next year’s Rugby World Cup.
One could understand guys like Mitchell, Alistair Coetzee or Ludeke not available, due to their current jobs at hand, being the Currie Cup and next year’s Super Rugby Series and the continuity it requires…. but the fact that 2 Directors Of Rugby who are not so directly responsible for direct coaching at the moment (Rassie Erasmus and Heyneke Meyer) has turned down roles to assist, is clearly indicative of the overwhelming feeling of incompetency on Snorrie’s part.
Knowing Rassie is envolved only in age-group active coaching at WP and an overhead role as Director Of Rugby (DOR), it would surely have been easy enough to convince the powers that be at WP to release Rassie temporarily (guaranteeing his job again as DOR post World Cup) in the interests of South African Rugby.
Exactly the same principle applies regarding Heyneke Meyer….
One can put any type of spin on this issue and fool some of the people, some of the time… but the fact that EXPERTS are saying that this is a poisoned chalise MUST TELL US that there is a fundamental flaw present, from which they want to distance themselves.
One wonders what SARU is going to do about this, this situation is getting worse and worse, how are the three of them, PDV, Gerrie and Tricky Dicky going to be able to work together after this? they had problems before but think that they have an irretrievable unbreachable problem now!!!!
I think if PDV had any sence, and did not lethis pride stand in the way and if he genuinely loved and believed in the Springboks, he would do the honourable thing in stepping down and the same goes for his two assistants!!!
Time is moving on and we need this sorted ASAP
Heyneke Meyer MUST be thinking along the lines of, “You beat me in becomming the National Coach, under somewhat less than circumspect voting circumstances….. and NOW you want ME to help you out of the shit…. fat chance buddy!”
Well, my attitude would most probably have been something like that… you talked the talk, now walk the walk…
Morne, Very good article once again.
I myself thought about this. Don’t think getting a new coach would make any difference right now. I do think however, getting in a new backline and forward coach would have. Not one of the top coaches that have been approached want to do this. It looks like no-one wants to to work with PdV, not that they don’t like him, but rather like you say there wont be assurance of a job after wc. Also many of these coaches may want to coach the Boks after wc and coming in now my jeopardize that for them.
Who else could help out? I don’t think we will find now a backline or forward coach wanting this job right now. Can’t anyone just come in like Eddie did and help out for a few months? Or maybe they too will feel their reputations might be lost if the Boks lost bad next year.
Very, very tricky sitution for anyone coming in and PdV really needs help.
@ grootblousmile:
Quick point with that.
WP Rugby Union has flatly refused to release Rassie as they did with Nienaber. At no point did the individual come out and say he did not want to go, everything was communicated from the union not willing to release individuals under contract with them.
@ grootblousmile:3 – gbs, Well that atitude is terrible if Meyer is thinking that way. This is our national side and really my feeling is put your pride aside. Everyone of these coaches should be there trying to help out PdV with our national side getting it back up for next year. Even if it is for 3 weeks with their knowledge of what they think is going wrong.
I know none of them want to do that full time until the world cup, but a few weeks with some great ideas of what will work could help.
Like Jake had to have all past coaches give their advice in a called for meeting by Saru. Maybe even that will help.
5@ Morné:
Indicative of how POWERLESS SARU is in respect of the Unions under them… or how poor they are at communicating the need for acting for the “GREATER GOOD” of the National side.
Compare this to how the All Black coaching staff is going to be getting involved in next year’s NZ Super Rugby sides….
The difference is staggering.
@ grootblousmile:
Damn straight GBS.
No matter which way you read this, the fact is SARU has created this situation, and will somehow have to find a solution.
Question is, who will be seen as the next coach?
Perhaps if they offered the job as assistant up till the RWC and head coach after the RWC someone would take it.
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