Mallett takes charge at WP

2005-02-08 18:09

Cape Town - The appointment of former Springbok coach Nick Mallett as the WP Rugby Football Union's Director of Rugby is a landmark in the annals of South African rugby.

But, it also has great potential for conflict in the ranks of the province's coaches.

The coaches in the province will be held accountable for results, and Mallett has warned that he cannot assume positions that may be seen as interfering with the coach's job of the various teams.

"The conflict can be kept down to a minimum when the director of rugby has a say in the appointment of coaches. The director is likely to appoint coaches he'll be happy to work with, or at least think like him," said Mallett.

"In my case I will be arriving in this position and coaches are already in place. I will not participate in the day-to-day preparation of teams but I will be attending some training sessions. I see my role as a supporting one to the coach.

"If for example the WP Currie Cup coach Carel du Plessis has a problem and he is not able to put his finger on it, I may be able to pick it up sitting on the outside.

"It will also be my job to ensure that coaches are getting the best out of the players because they are under contract to Western Province," said Mallett.

'Passion to win and succeed'

Rob Wagner, the CEO of WP Rugby (Pty) Ltd, said that Mallett was regarded as one of the world's foremost "thinkers" in world rugby.

"Mallett's appointment is a first for SA rugby and we're privileged to be able to call on one of our former players.

"The passion to win and succeed has always been his hallmark. Mallett will be bridging the gap between the administration and the playing side of things."

Mallett's position will demand that he stays on top of the affairs relating to the province's Currie Cup team but not necessarily the region's Super 12 franchise.

"The Stormers team belongs to SA Rugby but since there are a number of WP contract players in that squad I will be watching the side's progress, perhaps even attend training sessions," he said.

"One of the things that I have to do is to be able to put a value on every WP player, as well as a value of that player's talent."

Mallett said that after he resigned as the head coach at French club Stade Francais last year he had received a few offers.

"I've never had a phone call from SA Rugby nor has there been an advertisement for an SA Rugby post.

"If this WP post did not come up I would have had to return to perhaps Europe to find employment sometime in June. I'm happy that I've been able to stay in Cape Town where I can be with my family."

Mallett's three-year contract with WP Rugby virtually rules out any chance of him joining in the national team's set-up in the foreseeable future.

- SAPA