RASSIE RUNS
Erasmus goes back on word as Reds eye Smith
ALL BLACKS assistant coach Wayne Smith has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Rassie Erasmus as director of rugby with Munster.
The province confirmed yesterday that Erasmus is returning home after one year of his three-year deal, along with assistant Jacques Nienaber, to take up the role of South African director of rugby with Munster left ‘disappointed’ by the development.
Speculation about an early return dogged Erasmus throughout last season but he appeared to put it to bed after the European Champions Cup semi-final loss to Saracens in
April, replying ‘yes, yes, yes, yes’ when asked again if he would be staying with Munster for the next two years.
Now, it has emerged that Erasmus activated his sixmonth release clause last month and Munster have been on the lookout for a replacement since with Smith, part of the New Zealand management team seeking to claim the series against the Lions today, viewed as the top candidate.
The All Blacks assistant is one of the most respected coaches in the game, overseeing New Zealand’s sparkling backline in their back-to-back World Cups in 2011 and 2015, while taking time out in between to help win successive Super Rugby titles with the Chiefs.
Last month, the 60-year-old former All Black announced he intended to take some time out from the game at the end of this year’s Rugby Championship, which concludes on October 7. Former Munster prop Marcus Horan described the news as ‘a massive blow’.
‘Everyone thought it had all blown over by season’s end, and we’d had word that he was staying,’ Horan told 2fm’s Game On. ‘When those rumours kick off again you think it’s a slow news week or something, but it’s emerged as something bigger and that news is a massive blow.
‘I think they have gotten the worst scenario, in a situation where they are building on last season and then the plug is pulled in December.’
There have been early calls for a ‘dream team’ of Paul O’Connell, now working in the Munster academy, and Racing 92 assistant Ronan O’Gara but steering the fortunes of their old province may be seen as too much too soon for the revered duo.
Declan Kidney has not had a professional coaching position since finishing with Ireland in 2013 and would be a popular choice with many supporters.
However, Smith is the primary target to carry on the work begun by Erasmus and is seen as the ideal man to improve Munster’s back-play.
Meanwhile, South African Super Rugby sides the Southern Kings and the Cheetahs are set to join the Pro12 for next season on the back of both franchises being cut from the Super Rugby competition on July 7.
According to reports, the two teams are to be included in a new 14-team competition. It is not clear whether the Pro12 would then be split into two seven-team conferences or be played out on a home and away basis, with Saracens’ home ground being floated as a potential ‘home’ venue for the South African sides.