More coaches are better

2003-07-08 21:37

Herbert Pretorius

Cape Town - Not all experts believe a big coaching team, like that of the Springboks, is ideal, but Bok loosehead prop Lawrence Sephaka says the more coaches, the better.

The SA rugby squad's full-time coaching contingent consists of Rudolf Straeuli (head coach), Rudy Joubert (backline coach), Gert Smal (forwards coach) and Ray Mordt (defence coach).

In addition, Kevin Stevenson (fitness coach), Frank Ponissi (expert on defence) and Gerrit Pool (technical analyst and skills coach) are also involved in practices on a regular basis.

Former Bok scrumhalf Dan van Zyl says it is disrupting when players have to pay attention to more than one coach. He says problems in this regard were experienced as long ago as during the Springbok tour in 2000 to Europe and the UK.

On that tour, head coach Harry Viljoen was assisted by André Markgraaff, Jake White, Allister Coetzee, Frans Ludeke, Phil Mack and Chris van Loggerenberg.

However, Sephaka - with specific reference to Smal - says it makes sense to have different specialists on the coaching team.

"Gert is someone who played at the highest level. His focuses on detail that may be overlooked by someone else.

"For example, he'll point out that your hand has to bind around a lock's leg at a specific place when you support him in the lineouts.

"Neglecting something like that could lead to losing the ball on your throw-ins," says Sephaka.

Referring to Saturday's Tri-Nations Test at Newlands against Australia, Sephaka says Wallaby tighthead prop Patricio Noriega is a difficult customer, while loosehead prop Bill Young is "a bag of tricks".

Young's technique is controversial, since he tends to scrum inward. However, Sephaka believes Bok tighthead prop Richard Bands can keep Young in check.

He also believes the current Bok pack has the potential to take on any other forward pack, but says it will require a special team effort. "We must learn to trust in one another's capabilities."

- Die Burger