Coach says he will listen, but remember who’s boss
EP KINGS’ coach Brent Janse van Rensburg says he is a decisive person who is not afraid to make crucial decisions and answer questions from his players regarding tactics.
The new coach faces a fiery baptism with a tough opener against the Lions at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on August 8.
Janse van Rensburg has made it clear that he wants the players to have a clear idea of what he expects from them.
Asked if he welcomed questions from players, Janse van Rensburg said. “The players do understand and I have said to them that obviously I will make the final decisions. I am quite a decisive person so I am not scared to make decisions.
“You can’t have a situation where too many cooks spoil the broth. However, if you have an environment where you are throwing everything at the players and they don’t buy in into what you are doing and don’t understand things, then invariably they do not execute it properly.”
Janse van Rensburg said he would welcome a player challenging a certain aspect of the game.
“The key thing with that is not asking or disagreeing. The key thing then is to respond to the player and explain why you are doing things in that why.
“That is a thing a lot of coaches do not do. They fear a player asking questions.
“The player is asking a question because he is unsure of himself or uncomfortable.
“But it is my job to make sure they are comfortable. He can ask whatever he needs to ask.
“I will then give him reasons statistically and from a game appreciation perspective. These reasons will be given contextually from not only what he believes but also to ensure what he believes fits in with what the team can do successfully. “That is the difference. “You are always going to have 10 or 12 players who have other ideas in a squad. That just happens and it is natural. You are never going to get them believing in the same brand.
“The key thing is for them to understand collectively why it is the most appropriate and effective for us as a team.
“I will welcome the question so I can navigate with a player and make him feel comfortable so that he buys into that. Then I am going to get more out of that player,” Janse van Rensburg said.
The Currie Cup build-up starts with a friendly match against the Bulls on July 17 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
On July 25 the visitors will host reigning Currie Cup champions Western Province.
The full Kings programme is. Friendlies: July 17 v Bulls (7pm), PE; July 25 v Western Province (7pm), PE. Currie Cup: August 8 v Golden Lions (2:15pm) PE; August 15 v Sharks (5:05pm) Durban; August 21 v Pumas (7pm), PE; August 29 v Sharks (5:05pm) PE; September 5 v Lions (7:10pm) Johannesburg; September 11 v Free State Cheetahs (7:10pm) PE; September 18 v Pumas (5pm) Nelspruit; September 26 v qualifier (3.30pm) PE; October 2 v Blue Bulls (time to be decided) Pretoria; October 9 v Western Province (6pm) Newlands.