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Altrad: Recent Montpellier bust-up, Cockerill's new role explained
Montpellier president Mohed Altrad has looked back on his club’s failed season which involved two Test-level France players confronting title-winning boss Philippe Saint-Andre in the dressing room earlier this month.
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Defeat last Sunday to Pau meant that the 2021/22 French champions finished 11th on the table, nine points shy of Bordeaux in the sixth and final play-off spot.
However, what especially hurt Montpellier in their flawed title-retention bid was their May 6 home loss to Brive, the team that would go on to finish 14th and get relegated from the top flight. That defeat also prompted an altercation between Saint-Andre and French duo Mohamed Haouas and Paul Willemse.
The pair reportedly had very harsh dressing room words for Saint-Andre, but Altrad opted not to sanction the players and he has now explained why in an end-of-season review interview published on rugbyrama.fr. “I have a philosophy on this kind of thing,” he began.
“There are two types of management in life: hierarchical management, where one individual decides and the others remain silent, and matrix organisation, where the boss comes to decide a debate, a discussion, an exchange of various ideas that has taken place beforehand.
“What Mohamed Haouas and Paul Willemse said that day in the locker room, they had the right to say. Willemse put the substance and form into it. Haouas put the substance, not the form. But I didn’t want to punish them because they had the right to express themselves and they were telling the truth.
“That day, I had to intervene so that these people did not come to blows. This is not my role, but this kind of thing is anticipated. The abscess should have been punctured before.”
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Last Sunday marked the final weekend of Saint-Andre being hands-on with the team in a daily capacity, Altrad explaining what the 2022 Top 14 title winner will be doing in 2023/24. “He will do what I don’t have time to do in the club, marketing, partner relations, representation in the LNR…
“It will also develop the connection between the training centre and the professional team. Philippe will also have a weekly meeting with the leading players to talk to them about the MHR institution, the history of the jersey… He will send this message: no one is above the institution.”
It was February 7, three days after England were beaten by Scotland in Steve Borthwick’s first game in charge, when it was confirmed that Cockerill would be leaving at the end of the Guinness Six Nations campaign for Montpellier.
At the time, it was stated that the Test-level assistant would become forwards coach at the club, but it has now been confirmed by Altrad that he will wield a far greater influence than just looking after the pack.
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“Richard Cockerill will be the sports boss, assisted by Jean-Baptiste Elissalde,” explained Altrad. “Cockerill will take care of the forwards. Benoit Paillaugue returns to the club and will take the place of Bruce Reihana: the return of Benoit will do us good.
“Character, he has it. He is a motivator, a facilitator. As for Benson Stanley (Clermont), he will take charge of the team’s defence. Richard, Jean-Baptiste and Philippe say a lot of good things.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Good summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
1 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
8 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
8 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
5 Go to comments