Sympathy for Stick after sacking
Former Springbok and Bulls defence coach John McFarland says he feels sorry for Mzwandile Stick who was axed as Boks backs coach this week.
The 32-year-old Stick was shafted in the coaching changes announced by the South African Rugby Union on Monday and has been replaced by Cheetahs coach Franco Smith.
Stick has been moved to the Under-20 team, where he will assist former technical analyst and defence coach Chean Roux.
“I feel sorry for Stick‚” McFarland said. “A guy like him needs time so he can gain experience. I also feel for Joey Mongalo with the Under-20s because he was moved aside.
“You need to give guys like them time within the system. These guys want help and they must be given that help.”
McFarland also advocated for the position of director of coaching that would look after the coaching interests in South African rugby.
“They need to have somebody who is above the coaches to mentor the coaches. I know a lot of other countries have that, but the job of that person is to go to young coaches and ask them what kind of help they need.
“They need to be able to guide and give positive feedback without being connected to anybody,” he said.
McFarland also said Italy should not be blamed for operating on the limits of the law.
Conor O’Shea’s side avoided rucks in their Six Nations clash against England at Twickenham on Sunday‚ thereby making the offside line redundant and disrupting England’s ball passed from the base of the ruck.
England coach Eddie Jones was not amused by the tactic employed by the Azzuri, but McFarland said the Italians had every right to pursue what was deemed legal by them.
“What Italy did against England has been done before, but not as much as it was done in that game. It caused England endless problems… While [England coach] Eddie Jones was not pleased… credit must be given to [Italy defence coach] Brendan Venter.”