Azzuri's new boss flies to Italy after handing off unbeaten PRO14 side
Toyota Cheetahs coach Franco Smith will officially hand over control of the high-flying side on Monday to Hawies Fourie as he departs the franchise to take up the Italian National coaching position.
Smith was supposed to have left after the Currie Cup, but a medical condition delayed Fourie’s arrival in Bloemfontein until a week ago and the Varsity Cup-winning coach will enjoy a quiet start with no games planned for this weekend.
However, Fourie will face some stiff opposition as the Cheetahs then leave for a batch of three away games against Irish side Connacht and the Welsh duo of Llanelli Scarletts and Cardiff Blues over the next month as he looks to continue the unbeaten start under Smith.
Smith’s tenure at the Cheetahs included a Varsity Cup title, two Currie Cup titles and reaching the playoff rounds of PRO14 Rugby in his first year in the competition and he will now return to Italy where he ended his playing career for Benetton to take over the coaching role for the upcoming Six Nations championship.
After claiming their third win in a row to top their conference, Smith said he was thankful for the opportunity to take the team a step further, but would be happy to hand over the side to Fourie.
“It’s Hawies’ team now, and compliments must go to the coaching staff and players for believing in what we set out to do. If they didn’t buy into the vision then we wouldn’t be where we are. I’m really grateful for the hard work they put in.
“With their ability to adapt, they are growing as individuals. That is what this team needs, to keep growing to get better, especially away from home. Tonight this was good, because it might happen again when the intensity is down and how we are going to get out of it. I’m sure it will happen again, so it is a good opportunity to discuss how we will get out of it.”
Smith said while he was leaving Bloemfontein, where he grew up and made his name as a player and coach, he was thankful for the way he was embraced by the locals.
Ireland had flown in special legal counsel for the hearing in Tokyo, which lasted over three hours.https://t.co/iMO63eSS4w
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 14, 2019
“I’ve made a lot of friends in the time here. I am a Bloemfonteiner but I have been away for a long time and was overseas for a long time. And the people of the town embraced myself and my family and for that I will always be grateful. I am thankful for the public and everyone who embraced us. It will always be with my.
“As I said in the change-room, if you promise something and you can deliver, then there is satisfaction. I think we didn’t work with household names when we started and now they are household names. I’m very proud of the players that have come through and that will stick with me.”
Smith said while he expected Fourie to bring in a few new ideas, he wished his successor all the best and would be available if Fourie ever needed any help.
“Hawies and I did speak and I’m a sounding board now. I will help wherever I can. He did a lot of effort to be with the team and not impose himself and understand what we are doing. I’m there for him and want to help. I’m here to end of November. If he asks me to help, of course I’m here to help,” he added.
Under Smith the Cheetahs have been exceptional this season, scoring 22 tries in three games and conceding only seven for a positive points’ differential of 95, the most of any side in PRO14 Rugby.
– PRO14/Brendan Nel
Comments on RugbyPass
Hopefully this will mean a new Auckland league team to support in the west. Big Warriors fan but it’s very, very stale on that front and I’d like the option of another team if it was to watch league again. League needs to step up BIG time if its to get anywhere, another AK team and something from the capitol or south is a must for the game.
3 Go to commentsGood, deep interview, nice job Frankie!
1 Go to commentsNRL players don’t have anywhere near the number of Tests. Some people would be happy having Rest Homes full if 40 yo ex-players walking, or hobbling more like it, into walls. It’s just a game!
4 Go to commentsNOW Razor is worried about ABs getting injured or overplayed! Didn’t bother him last year. He happily played his AB Crusaders.
4 Go to commentsWhat is the World Rugby U20 players born year.
2 Go to commentsMuch like the Chiefs finally gave up waiting for Atu Moli to ever not be injured, you have to wonder if the Chiefs and Crusaders will let Josh Lord and Ethan Blackadder go next season. They’re being well paid to sit in the injury ward every year. Better off putting those funds towards someone who might actually play.
7 Go to commentsShowed better basic skills than some nz Super sides, who probably would have botched some of those backline moves. This tournament really is too short though. Needs more teams, or have them play two rounds to properly prepare them for the near full-time NH U20 sides.
4 Go to commentsGood grief it’s only six months. Probably just upset it’s not an established kiwi entering their prime they can “project” into green to join the rest.
1 Go to commentsGood player but far from being best in the world. That's an exaggeration. Perhaps Best in world by Northern Hemisphere standards and biasis but certainly not Southern Hemi standards
3 Go to commentsWell one thing about World Cup knock out rounds and Ireland is very clear: they won’t be getting ahead of themselves in ‘27! Because making it beyond the QF is well and truly ‘IN THEIR HEADS’ now…😉
75 Go to commentsHas this guy been dope tested? Sounds like a case of “roid rage”.
1 Go to commentsI would like to see him say that to Eben face to face in a dark alley.
75 Go to commentsYep, lost in translation. There are arrogant people in Ireland, yes. As there are arrogant people in every country, but as a nation, arrogance is not a general characteristic in Ireland. There has not really had a strong representation for any global sport over the years, and hence arrogance is not endemic to Irish people in this regard. I seriously doubt that was said or meant by 12 or 13 players. If it was said, it would have been said in jest and to pay Etzebeth and the Springboks a compliment for how hard fought the game was.
75 Go to commentsOne of the few Bidwell articles I can agree with. If coaches played their players through niggles and consistently played them 80mins then you could make an argument for resting protocols - they obviously don’t and are incredibly responsible, let’s give up the resting nonsense and let the boys play.
4 Go to commentsDaniel Gallan, please for the love of all that is holy, stop writing about rugby. Or at the very least stop telling people you are South African.
21 Go to commentsThis Dr.Rassie 6-2 filth is spreading. We need to ask World Rugby to ban something
1 Go to commentsPity he couldn’t call him a liar to his face, such a brave man.
75 Go to comments“You ain’t counting to 12 or 13 straight after a game, son!” Just because you don’t doesn’t mean everyone else doesn’t “I reckon if anyone said it they would have said, ‘Hopefully, see you in the final’.” Oh, you “reckon”, do you? You weren’t there, you weren’t part of the conversation but you know what was said… Id10T
75 Go to commentsNZ has such a rich history of quality number nines, and woman beaters.
1 Go to commentsThat’s what happens when you are scared of scrums
3 Go to comments