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Players want voice and clout
07/01/2008 22:12 - (SA)
Stephen Nell, Die Burger
Cape Town - The chief executive of the SA Rugby Players Association has expressed his disappointment that players still do not have a say in the appointment of the new Springbok coach.
Piet Heymans said on Monday a players' representative could have been included in the committee that must make the recommendation to the presidents' council.
"I feel a little disappointed that the players have not been included in the process," Heymans said.
He also revealed that Sarpa was conducting an opinion poll among players to establish how they felt about the new coach.
"The deadline for our members to respond to our SMS is three o'clock on Tuesday. I will then convey the result to Mike Stofile," Heymans said.
Stofile is chairperson of the committee that will make the recommendation to Saru's presidents' council.
"About a third of our members have responded and we expect feedback from approximately 300 players," Heymans said.
He was unwilling to reveal which of the four candidates had received most support from Sarpa's members but said there was "a clear leader".
Sarpa may announce the result of its poll after conveying it to Saru, who is expected to announce the name of the new coach after the presidents' council meeting on Wednesday.
Have prepared well
Interviews with the candidates to succeed Jake White as coach began on Monday. Those in line are Heyneke Meyer, Peter de Villiers, Allister Coetzee and Chester Williams.
Interviews were conducted with Meyer and De Villiers on Monday.
Coetzee and Williams, who will have their turn on Tuesday, were not saying much on Monday, although Williams felt his chances were as good as those of any of the others.
"I have prepared well. I have six years of coaching experience. I was a player for 16 years and played at provincial and Springbok level," Williams said.
"I was coached by the best and learnt much from them. Coaching is about management and one can also assemble a strong management team around you."
Johan Prinsloo, CEO of Saru, had not responded to a message about Heymans's comments by early last night.
Heymans also expressed hopes that players would have a notable say in all future structures in SA rugby.
Saru and its business wing, SA Rugby, will call for input during the next few months before the restructuring of the controlling body takes place.
"Duplication often occurs and we have decided that we should review the structure," Saru president Oregan Hoskins said.
"We're looking for one structure. The challenge now is to decide what it should look like to fit in with the professional era. We will obtain expert advice about that.
Heymans is a member of the Saru board but Sarpa does not have any input in presidents' council matters.
"I feel there should be a players' representative in the future structure," he said.
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