Berlin - Allister Coetzee has talked a good game in the week since his appointment as the new Springbok coach, but the challenges he faces are significant as many outsiders have stressed.
Bryan Habana, who hopes to still play a role under Coetzee’s tenure, described the Springbok coach’s job as the most difficult in world rugby.
“I don’t think there’s a better guy for the job,” Habana said ahead of the Laureus World Sports Awards. “His understanding of South Africa and South African rugby and all the factors involved is crucial. It’s a very critical time in South African rugby.”
While Coetzee was firm in outlining the importance of focusing on the three Tests against Ireland in June – the Springboks’ first opponents under his watch – Habana pointed out that the Rugby World Cup in 2019 was already on the radar.
“It’s about talent development going forward. In the lead up to 2019 there might be certain criteria he’ll have to adhere to in terms of players of colour and it’s pretty important he allows the talent to be developed. He needs that talent to be developed at Currie Cup and Super Rugby level before they get put on a bigger stage,” Habana said
Habana, has worked with Coetzee for much of his career – back in 2007 when Coetzee was Jake White’s assistant ahead of the 2007 World Cup and then at the Stormers and Western Province.
“Whoever gets the Springbok job knows there’s more than just coaching that comes with it – none more so than Allister. He’s walked a long road, before and after apartheid. He’s been involved in a lot of different positions within rugby,” said Habana.
Former All Black skipper, and now a Laureus Ambassador, Sean Fitzpatrick hoped Coetzee’s appointment would help to transform the style in which the Springboks played. “A lot of coaches make the mistake of going ‘win ugly, and then we’ll start playing.’ I don’t think you can do that,” said Fitzpatrick, who played 92 Tests for New Zealand, captaining them 51 times.
“Traditionally South Africa try to play a 10-man game, and that’s nice in terms of winning, but what I’ve seen in terms of South Africa’s backs, there are players who can score tries and be creative.”
Fitzpatrick was impressed by the Stormers side that Coetzee coached, particularly their defence, but would like the new Bok coach to revitalise the attacking aspect of their game. “South Africa has got players who can play and hopefully we’ll see a Springbok team which scores tries,” said Fitzpatrick.
Coetzee has explained how he wishes to continue utilising South Africa’s strengths, which is based on being physically bruising. However he wants the players to be smarter in how they do so. Fitzpatrick emphasised that that was critical.
“Coaching is a real art. One of the things we learned from the (2015) World Cup is that the teams that did well, were the teams with good coaches. You only need to look at Japan. Who would ever have thought they would beat South Africa? But what they had was a very good coach. Everyone can look at the internet, see what people are eating and drinking, but what you need is a very good coach who pushes the right buttons and coaches the players.”
Meanwhile Habana is yet to have a one-to-one chat with Coetzee about his own international future.
The 32 year old, who’s played 117 Tests, believes there’s still a role for him with the Springboks, but wants to talk to Coetzee first.
Cape Times