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Bulls clarify John Mitchell's status as England rumours spread like wildfire


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Seems like the Bulls’ dismal Super Rugby season has not dented head coach John Mitchell’s reputation – report Rugby365.

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In Mitchell’s first season as Bulls coach, the Pretoria franchise concluded the season bottom of the South African Conference and 12th on the overall.

The Bulls only managed to record six wins from their 16 matches and many pundits have regarded 2018 as one of the worst seasons they have ever experienced – placing huge uncertainties around Micthell’s future at the Bulls.

To make things worst, Mitchell requested ZAR90-million from the Bulls board of directors in order to lure experience players to Pretoria ahead of the 2019 season.

Continue reading below…

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There has also been reported that coach is seeking a full-time defence coach for next year’s Super Rugby season.

Micthell’s demands have created a huge wedge between the New Zealander and the South African franchise’s board-members.

And it seems like 2019 could be the year that Mitchell and the Bulls part ways.

According to South African media reports, Mitchell has been linked to clubs in the United Kingdom and has been informally offered to take up the role as England defence coach ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

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Despite backing the coach for the last few weeks, the latest news of the coach’s departure has forced the Bulls to publicly respond via twitter.

According to the tweet, the Bulls confirmed that Mitchell did receive alternative offers and have also revealed that the coach’s contract will come to an end in October 2019.

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Phantom 1 hour ago
Nations Championship: 'The data shows the north has finally caught up with the south'

Fact: the gap between the North and the South has narrowed considerably - that I get. However, determining that only selecting only Home grown players or playing in the home country is is the optimal strategy is a bit of a toss up and highly reliant on the economies of the home union. I do understand that England and to a lesser degree Ireland selects home based only. The top 14 is a massive threat to their domestic product. France would probably not be affected (the money is at home). Fiji, Argentina, Samoa, Italy and you could even argue Scotland have only benefitted from this. Their players either go overseas to learn at higher levels (Fiji, Samoa, Argentina) or players coming into their leagues to strengthen the home product and their National teams (Scotland, Italy, Japan).

South Africa used to limit its selection to the home based players, but the reality of a weak currency vs what players could earn oversees meant that you lost access to your best players at some stage of their careers, with very few exceptions. Kolbe left SA as he was considered too small for International Rugby (yes coaches/selectors view), but ironically in France he forced selectors to notice his endeavors and select him. He is only reaching 50 caps now despite being north of 30 - granted rotation and the odd injury also played a role, but for the most part it is having debuted or becoming a regular so late.



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