CAPE TOWN – The Stormers “management issue” was addressed during a “fruitful and amicable” meeting yesterday, according to the Western Province Rugby Union.
Reports stating that Stormers assistant coach Paul Treu walked out of a Stormers meeting last week sparked a series of questions regarding the nature of the reported divide in the Stormers coaching team - which was believed to be related to Treu feeling that his input isn’t valued by head coach Robbie Fleck and assistant coach Paul Feeney.
The WPRU didn’t make a final statement on the meeting’s outcome, and in a press release issued yesterday, stated that the meeting - aimed at “fact-finding” and “diagnostic exercise” - was only part of the season review, which started yesterday.
It is believed a follow-up meeting will take place soon. Yesterday’s meeting was attended by WPRU president Thelo Wakefield, Group CEO Paul Zacks, Director of Rugby Gert Smal and all the members of coaching staff.
“A fruitful and amicable meeting was held today, with all members committed to finding solutions. Today’s meeting took the form of a fact finding and diagnostic exercise, forming part of our season review process,” said Wakefield.
“We believe that we have an exceptional group for next season and want to ensure all issues and potential stumbling blocks are dealt with and clarity provided where required, to ensure we have the best possible chance in the Super Rugby competition next season.
“We are convinced that as part of our overall season review, the process started today will undoubtedly assist in us attaining that goal,” he added.
“The team management matter in our opinion has been overly amplified in the media and is clearly an internal personnel matter that will be resolved.