Jimmy Stonehouse
After seven years at the helm of the Pumas, Jimmy Stonehouse will be leaving Nelspruit to ply his trade in Japan with the Toshiba Brave Lupus.
Stonehouse had been instrumental in the team being promoted to the Currie Cup Premier Division in 2010 and again in 2014 while their promotion, and unbeaten run in the 2013 First Division competition, earned Stonehouse the SA Rugby Union’s Coach of the Year award.
He had been approached on three previous occasions by Japanese clubs, which he turned down, the latest being in February 2014 but he feels that it is the right time to move on and take on a new challenge.
rugby365
“It’s a very big decision that I had to make, it’s very sad because I started with some of the players seven years ago and some of them have been with me since they were in grade nine, so obviously its a very big decision leaving these guys behind.
“But when you stay at a place for seven years, the guys under you also need time to develop and groom themselves. The decision to go abroad and get a new experience was also based on the fact that I didn’t get a chance at a higher level or Super Rugby level.
“There are a lot of good coaches in SA and that’s obviously why I didn’t get a chance.
“When you stay in a one place, you don’t learn, you become stagnant. When you go to a higher level, you will learn new things.
“So when I go to Tokyo and coach the likes of Springbok Frans Steyn, All Black Richard Kahui and Wallaby Cooper Vuna, I will learn a lot more and gain more experience. So when I do return, hopefully I could get an opportunity,” he told rugby365com.
“This is the fourth time that I’ve been approached and, obviously, I’ve turned down three of them but now it’s time for me to move on. If after getting numerous awards and doing well in the Currie Cup, you don’t even get a job as an assistant in the Super Rugby setup, then you know it’s time to move on to better things, wherever the opportunity presents itself,” he added.
Stonehouse leaves the Pumas after many years of service in good faith and is grateful to the Union for granting him the opportunity.
“There’s a good relationship between myself and the Pumas. I’m very thankful to them for giving me the opportunity seven years ago, especially [president] Hein Mentz.
“I also want to thank SA Rugby for making me Coach of the Year, giving me the SA Barbarians side and the President’s XV. Both parties [Mentz and SARU] were great in giving me those opportunities,” he stated.
The Bulls and Cheetahs have missed out big time here.
@ Loosehead:
As have the Lions, who for reasons beyond my comprehension failed to make a place for this guy on their SR coaching team.
FFS. Just when you thought things were improving.
Expect an exodus from the Pumas in the not too distant future.
@ Scrumdown:
The Stormers already plundered the front row, I expect that some of the other teams will be around to pick over the carcass pretty soon. Stephan Watermeyer should be top of anyone seeking a good no 12’s list. He should be playing SR.
Also, Juandre Erasmus (Rassie’s son) is signed to them as a junior player. He is one to watch, impressive guy for a 19 year old. Plays flak, 8th man or center or wing. Sound familiar?
He’s a lot more muscular than his dad though. As can be expected with the new generation having access to supplements and training that the previous didn’t.
He is also keen on his Judo and Cage Fighting though, so I am not sure where his rugby priorities lie.
@ Stormersboy:
The Sharks also got two of the pumas best forwards, Giant and Bothma
Hi Stormersboy sounds like one whose progress may be good to follow, yip definitely sounds familiar – flank and centre…. Glasgow have converted Richie Vernon from flank to centre
Does he do Judo? If he does then this should surely help him to be a good fetcher.
The they you mention is that Pumas or WP that have signed him?
@ Bullscot:
I had a chat to him last year, at the time he was contracted to the Pumas U19 squad, but as he grows I expect he’ll draw the attention of the other squads. It all depends on how seriously he takes his Rugby I guess. He seemed more interested in his Judo last year, as it was a Commonwealth Games year. I am not sure if he made the squad or not.
Stormersboy wrote:
He’s in the Lions squad for SR.
Wanted to give him k@k about this but I think he can moer your through Facebook…
@ Scrumdown:
Good.
Gena_ZA wrote:
Haha I think he COULD!
@ Scrumdown:
I seem to remember there was a furore about alleged demands he made if he was to be involved in the Lions coaching set up.
@ Lion4ever:
Yes something like he needed to be the Co-Coach and not the assistant to Akkers.
12 @ Lion4ever:
13 @ MacroBlom:
I heard that Jimmy wanted to take the forwards, and that JA insisted that they were his responsibilty.
Truth is all parties are to blame.
Glass definitely not half FULL after this cock up.
@ Scrumdown:
Look, his talents as a coach cannot be denied, and he is definitely one of the characters of SA rugby, so he will be missed. But I cannot see him being content as an assistant coach.
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