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SARU blame Super Rugby franchises for lack of non-white coaches
Mark Alexander, President of the South African Rugby Union (SARU), said he is “quite happy” with the make-up of the Springbok coaching panel – reports Josh Isaacson for Rugby 365.
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However, he was ‘less than satisfied’ with the transformation of the coaching set-ups at franchise level.
“We not happy with the makeup of our franchises,” Alexander told a media briefing, adding that getting more black coaches into the system is at a premium for the national body.
“All the [non-white] coaches that have come through over the years have come through our [the SARU] system,” the President said.
“We have to put pressure on our franchises in the Pro14 and Super Rugby franchises.”
Rassie Erasmus, who gave up his title as Springbok coach to focus on the obligations of his position as SARU Director of Rugby, said it was unfortunate that not enough ‘coaches of colour’ are coming through the franchise systems.
“Every single coach that has been pushed through to Super Rugby level SARU has used,” Erasmus said.
“When Allister Coetzee [Stormers] made it to Super Rugby level, SA Rugby used him and appointed him as a coach.
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World Cup winner, Rugby Championship winner ,World Rugby Player of the year, South African player of the year… Pieter Steph du Toit ??? #Springboks pic.twitter.com/NSEN63C2Sb
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“When Deon Davids was pushed through to Super Rugby [Southern Kings], SA Rugby used him as a coach.
“When Mzwandile Stick did relatively well as an Under-19 coach and won the age-group competition, SA Rugby used him.
“Whenever a franchise delivered any coach of colour at that highest level, SA Rugby took him on board and gave that guy an opportunity.
“Some of the other coaches which we had in our [SARU] system, eventually went down to work at the franchises. Great examples are Joey Mongalo, who was defence coach of the [SA] Under-20 [team], who was eventually appointed at the [Lions] franchise.
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“There are also the two SA schools coaches which we appointed, with one appointed at the Sharks and one appointed at the Lions.
“Every time a coach comes through the franchise structures, we took that coach into the SA structures and used him.”
Erasmus though said the lack of coaches of colour in the Super Rugby set-up affects them from a selection perspective.
“We would like to see more coaches of colour coming through, but we, unfortunately, we don’t have control over that – just like we can’t tell them [franchises] who to appoint as Chief Executive Officer.
“They run their own franchises.
“I know, when speaking to the coaches at the franchises, with the Sharks being an example, they’re really committed to transformation. However, I agree with that the head coaches don’t currently reflect transformation. That does make it tough for us to get guys into the national set-up because the pipeline is slightly messed up.”
Comments on RugbyPass
that backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
24 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
48 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
24 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
24 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
24 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
24 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
24 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
17 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
17 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
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