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Springboks' most ripped player labels S&C coach Aled Walters 'one of or if not the best in the business'

(Photo by Getty images)

Leicester Tigers’ incoming head of physical performance Aled Walters has been described as “one of or if not the best in the business” by South Africa centre Jesse Kriel. The Welshman will arrive at Welford Road as part of a significant turnover of players and staff under new coach Steve Borthwick, with the arrival of new attack coach Rob Taylor being announced recently as well.

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Walters has spent the past two years with the Springboks as head of athletic performance, having teamed up with Rassie Erasmus following their time together with Munster. As part of the coaching team, they won the Rugby World Cup last year, as well as the Rugby Championship a few months before.

Much of the South African public recognise how fundamental Walters was to the team’s success in Japan. The manner in which they swamped England in the final with their oppressive defence is an indication of the condition the players were in, as they played a taxing style of rugby. Kriel, who was part of the Springboks squad, has been quick to praise the departing coach on Twitter, describing this as a “great signing” for the Tigers.

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Likewise, former Leicester centre Matt Toomua has commented on what a signing this is on social media, as the pair would have worked with each other at the Brumbies between 2011-12.

So far, over 20 players are set to leave the Midlands club at the end of the season, in what is looking to be a fresh start after a barren few years for the English giants.

The Tigers are only spared from sitting at the bottom of the Gallagher Premiership this season by the unique circumstances in which Saracens have already been relegated. Their guaranteed survival this season should not gloss over the severity of the situation they were in before all rugby was suspended as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. But the high praise Walters has received is another positive sign for Leicester that they are heading in the right direction under Borthwick.

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Hellhound 47 minutes ago
Springboks' dominance of the world rankings comes under increased threat

There is that yes, but to grow the game, you can't leave those teams down and out. In any sport, if a team loses, no one will be interested and no new talent will join the game. What is the aim? To grow the sport. Will any sport grow if you leave it unattended? What incentive is there for players and countries to play rugby? To spend money on rugby to grow the sport in your country? Especially if you never can compete against the top teams, not even the top 50 teams? There is no money for the players to play the sport as any other job will provide food, but rugby won't. Those players will stay amateur because they have to work a day job, play for their club and then their countries too, which don't pay much as the sport is not big enough. Those athletes leave sport or go to another sport. Chuck them out, dismiss them, give them no crumbs. Yeah, that's a way to grow any sport isn't it? By ignoring them, you think rugby will grow in those countries? They can't afford proper rugby fields, never mind to pay players to be professional athletes. Why would they encourage a sport that is costly to maintain with no incentive? Who runs a business at a loss? Why even bother to try and grow the game is smaller countries? Especially with that attitude of amateur players? Ever stop to think why they are so average? Why they are still amateur? Unlike the bigger nations, they can't afford to pay professional salaries. Those athletes will always stay amateur because they can't afford to make rugby their daily lives. They have to work to survive. They can't improve themselves on a rigorous training schedule like the top stars. The stars have one job. Rugby. They have 2 to 3 jobs, club rugby, national rugby and then their daily grind jobs, all to survive. Your thinking is wrong about this. It isn't enough to just show someone the sport. That isn't growth. It's lazy thinking.

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