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Heyneke headhunt not over
14/02/2008 22:02 - (SA)
Morris Gilbert, Beeld
Pretoria - Oregan Hoskins has not given up hope that former Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer may accept a position as fulltime director of rugby or performance management at SA Rugby.
Meyer has embarked on a new career in business but Hoskins, president of the SA Rugby Union, says discussions may be reopened.
Hoskins, who is attending a meeting of the International Rugby Board in Auckland, New Zealand, said on Thursday it was sad that Meyer had stepped out of rugby.
However, he regards it as a blessing that Meyer still sees a future for himself in South Africa.
"It would have been a pity had he been snatched up by another rugby country or an overseas club. Then we would have lost one of our best coaches," Hoskins said.
"What Heyneke has achieved at the Bulls and the Blue Bulls is amazing. He created structures and systems that were near perfect.
"That is why the Bulls achieved success at all levels, from the national Under-19 competition to the Super 14
"As far as I'm concerned, he remains the logical choice to become SA Rugby's director of coaching or performance management.
"We are still defining the position as comprehensively as possible. Once we have completed the process, we may enter into discussions with Heyneke again."
Hoskins feels one of the main duties of the person who is appointed in the envisaged position will be to identify and train potentially top coaches.
This will prevent another mêlée when a new national coach has to be appointed.
Hoskins says he understand why Meyer has decided to get out of rugby coaching for now. The pressure, pace and intensity that are part of a top professional coach's life combine to make it a short career.
Meyer was the hot favourite to succeed Jake White as Springbok coach before a series of events culminated in Peter de Villiers being appointed.
Frans Ludeke, who has taken over from Meyer as Bulls coach, says SA rugby's loss is the business sector's gain.
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Rugby
