Mitchell joins Bulls
GUARANTEED: CHANGE OF MINDSET TOPS KIWI’S LIST
Nollis Marais still in the picture as head Currie Cup coach and as assistant to new director of rugby in Super Rugby.
The Bulls opened their doors to a massive change of culture last night when they announced the appointment of John Mitchell as their Executive of Rugby, and not just because he is an English-speaking New Zealander.
The 53-year-old Mitchell is credited by many to be behind the resurgence of the Lions, whom he coached from 2010-2012, and his current role as head coach of the US national team follows his prestigious tenure as New Zealand coach, making him one of the few people to both play for and coach the All Blacks.
Mitchell – who will basically fulfil the role of a director of rugby, with the services of current Super Rugby coach Nollis Marais being retained as head Currie Cup coach and as an assistant to the newcomer in the Sanzar competition – did not want to promise an instant turnaround in results for the Bulls, but did promise that there would be a change in mindset.
“I’m very excited to work with a very talented group of players and competent staff. It’s absolutely clear what has to be done and that is to make the team confident again and have Loftus filled to the rafters. The fact that the Bulls are open to an intervention and a change of mindset is extremely positive.
“It’s about refreshing and updating and the Bulls needed significant intervention to get back on top. It’s about a change of mindset, sharpening up, and we have to be more accurate in the way we select players,” said Mitchell.
“At the end of the day, it’s about giving ourselves opportunities to win trophies and we are way off that at the moment. But hopefully we will start to see some significant
It’s about refreshing and updating and the Bulls needed significant intervention to get back on top.
John Mitchell
changes,” Mitchell, who will start work in Pretoria on July 16, said.
Having reached arguably the pinnacle of coaching back in 2001 when he was appointed All Blacks coach, Mitchell has travelled a long road to Pretoria and his last stint with a South African team, the Lions, ended in acrimony but has borne beautiful fruit since then.
“Wherever I walk, I want to leave a sustainable model and not build sandcastles. My methodology is now very, very different to when I was at the Lions. In the last two years I’ve been able to implement things at the cutting edge, in a very peaceful way, bringing clarity and confidence to the players. It’s quite unique and it has revived my coaching career.”