New Bulls coach looks to set his men free
Marais determined to give young players a fair chance to show their class in Currie Cup Sharks to rebuild after poor season
WITH the winds of change having swept through the Blue Bulls Currie Cup coaching team‚ expect some fresh breezes on the playing field too.
Newly appointed coach Nollis Marais on Tuesday announced his extended squad for the competition which starts in August‚ as well as two warm-up matches against the Eastern Province Kings and Japan side Canon Eagles later this month.
Marais‚ a former Tuks Varsity Cup‚ Bulls under-21 and Vodacom Cup coach‚ has opted to go with a largely youthful squad which comprises mostly players who he moulded in the early stages of their careers.
He is hopeful that will put him in good stead as the side bids to win the Currie Cup for the first time since 2009.
“There are only about five players in the squad that have not played for me in the junior ranks,” Marais said from Loftus Versfeld.
The Bulls have in previous seasons been criticised for their lack of action in affording younger players ample opportunity to prove themselves.
Marais has made it known that this will change‚ and some of his products from the junior ranks will get chances.
“For me if a guy is in form‚ he will play. If he’s good enough‚ I will give him his chance‚” the new coach said.
Marais is also hoping to change the Bulls brand of rugby which has also come under the microscope from both fans and critics.
With the change of management at the Pretoria side‚ it seems the Bulls may take a different direction in their playing style too – a more attacking brand with the players being afforded more freedom to express themselves.
“We can’t be so strict on the players that they don’t want to move on the field‚” he said.
“If you look at the teams I’ve coached – we had the top try scorers in the Vodacom Cup – although we didn’t win it.
“If you look at the Varsity Cup side‚ we had the top try scorers‚ and we had the top try scorers in the under-21s.
“Now we want to bring a style that complements our players.
“The players are buying into it – it’s something new for them as well. We’ve already made certain adjustments that will complement the players.”
One thing the new coach has not yet decided on is the captain.
“I’ve had that question a few times already‚ even [CEO] Barend [van Graan] asked me‚” said Marais.
“I have one-one-ones with each of the players in the squad. The first thing I wanted to do was to give everyone the same opportunity.
“I want the players to train and not have the added pressure of being captain at the back of their mind.
“The talk in the one-on-one sessions is what they will bring to the field.
“If I was to select a captain now and it was done and dusted‚ I wouldn’t want to change [later] because throughout my career I’ve always wanted to have the same captain.
“I want to see if the guys can do what they say they can do.
“Thereafter I will select a new captain in maybe three to four weeks.
“As soon as I’m happy that the person is doing what they are supposed to be doing then I’ll select a captain. There are a few players in the running so it will depend on who will put up their hand.”
The Bulls returned to training this week in preparation of the upcoming domestic season. TECHNICAL advisor Brendan Venter says the Sharks youth system is in tatters and to rebuild director of rugby Gary Gold must start from the roots.
The Sharks’ Super Rugby season has shone the spotlight on a number of frailties at the union, as seasons without coaching continuity continue to bear shrivelled fruits.
Adding to their woes are the departures of Bismarck and Jannie du Plessis as well as Willem Alberts to clubs in France. To replace them, the Sharks did what they’ve always done: they bought readymade, finished products – mostly from the Cheetahs.
Springboks Coenie Oosthuizen and Willie le Roux will go to Durban after the World Cup, as will Joe Pietersen, while flanker Jacques Potgieter joins from the Waratahs.
The senior team’s Currie Cup wins in 2013 and topping the SA Super Rugby conference last year provided the perfect illusion, hiding what was really going on at the union, according to Venter.
“If you look at the Sharks as an organisation from a rugby point of view, it is not as healthy as it looks when seen from the outside,” said Venter.
“Their main team was always functioning. Even in 2013, after Plum [John Plumtree] had left, they still won the Currie Cup and they won the SA Conference last year.
“But they need to rebuild their whole system. Their under-19s and under-21s never make a [Currie Cup age group] final.
“The first step is getting Gary Gold running the rugby side of things. The Sharks need longevity in their coaching department, so they can build a strong side over five years.”
It’s true. The Sharks youth teams are nowhere in the Currie Cup age group winners’ roll. Since 2005, only their under-19 team of 2008 has brought home a trophy. In ten years, the under-21s have twice been beaten in finals.
The Blue Bulls have won a combined nine under-19 and under-21 titles in the same period, while Western Province have won seven.
The year Springbok Patrick Lambie was the Sharks under21 fullback, in 2009, they were beaten by a Free State team that had Trevor Nyakane and Sias Ebersohn.
With so many Springboks in their ranks, the Sharks’ woes have also trickled onto the national team, which is filled with wounded players and a whole lot low on morale.
The Sharks front row – Beast Mtawarira and the Du Plessis brothers – which is also the incumbent Springbok front row, lacked traction, let alone grunt, all season.
It’s now up to Bok coach Heyneke Meyer to pick up the pieces.
“Meyer’s biggest job in the next coming weeks and months is to rebuild the team’s confidence,” Venter said.
“The next five Bok matches are critical in getting that confidence back. Confidence is linked to form. If you’re playing well and winning rugby games, then you’ll have it.”