'Nothing is being done to get kids who grow up on the street, kids who don't own TVs involved in the game'
Jacques Burger has launched a withering attack on the self-interests holding back the development of Namibia rugby. The celebrated former Saracens back row was capped 36 times and played in three World Cup for his country.
However, having moved back to the African countryside following his retirement from playing in England, the 36-year-old has grown increasingly furious with the lack in initiative shown by the Namibian Rugby Union in laying proper foundations for the long-term growth of the sport.
Speaking from his farm in the Kalahari desert, Burger used an appearance on The Lockdown, the RugbyPass pandemic interview series fronted by Jim Hamilton, to unload his grievances with Namibia rugby authorities.
“It’s been tough,” he said about how his trenchant views have been received by local administrators after a stellar career in the Premiership. “I have been a bit outspoken since getting back just because I’m retired now and I have got free range to say what I want to say, what is wrong and what is right.
“I believe we have so much talent. It’s in our DNA. We love playing rugby. There are only 2.5million people in the country but we have got rugby in us and not enough is being done to grow the game. There is a vast country, there is a lot of towns far apart.
“There are townships, nothing is being done to get those less fortunate, kids who grow up on the street or kids who haven’t been exposed to the game of rugby, who don’t own TVs and stuff like that. Nobody goes out there and puts back in these kids and gets them involved in the game.
“I worked in Kenya two or three years ago and that was amazing,” continued Burger, contrasting his dismay with Namibia rugby’s lax attitude and the progress in another African country. “Where we were in Nairobi, it was the poorest of the poor. You drive by and a goat’s head is being cut off right next to you in the street and it’s vultures all over, very, very quirky. Kids come to school and most of their clothes are ripped.
“We basically put in a training week and got a couple of kids involved, just testing them in rugby. They had never seen it in their lives and within a week I saw how many kids loved it, how they enjoyed the game. For me that is what rugby is, the values of it, specifically respect, and you teach them to listen, to respect each other and work hard, all those things that you can take into life. Especially in poorer areas.
“That is what I would like to do in Namibia as well, go into areas like that and before you open your eyes, in ten, 20 years there will be some amazing stories, guys coming out of the poorest of townships wherever they grew up and becoming superstars just because something stuck. Somebody put something into them. Rugby has the power to do that.
“The frustrating thing for me is nothing is being done. The union don’t make good appointments. When Phil Davies joined us things changed massively. Phil was really good for us. He has a professional view on things and you need those guys – we [Namibia] haven’t got the know-how to do it.
“It’s one thing to say you have got a level three coaching certificate but if you haven’t been involved in the set-up in a professional team, played professional matches or been to World Cups, if you haven’t got that experience it doesn’t mean much.”
Burger wants Namibia rugby officials to start laying better foundations. “Development-wise is where it needs to start. World Rugby does give us an opportunity and they are fed up. They have been giving us funds for years now and rugby is going backwards. I look at teams like Georgia, they are a different level.
“We have got people willing to give money but they don’t want to give it to the NRU so it has been frustrating, I want to get involved wherever I can get involved but I’m not willing to work with people who are selfish, who want to do it for themselves, who want to go on the next trip and get the glory of getting kit or whatever the case may be, or just saying ‘I’m a coach’ or ‘I’m a president’, whatever.
“I want guys who believe Namibian rugby can win a game at the World Cup, or go through to the next round, make top 15 in the world which is possible. There are good rugby players. They just need to be invested in and they need someone with a vision who can go out there, grow the game and believe in it.
“For too long people have been quiet and afraid of their name getting tainted. What I have done in rugby, it’s done. Now I need to use that to make a difference over here. I can’t do it if there are not enough selfless people around me who want to see Namibia flourish out in the world.
“That’s the tough part that we have to cross. I won’t be quiet. We will get the right people eventually. I’m just afraid it’s going to take its toll on rugby in Namibia. Hopefully, positive things happen and we will move in the right direction.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Very unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to comments