Springboks coach told to cut out gaffes
July 20, 2009 - 2:49PM
Flowery speaking Springboks rugby coach Peter de Villiers has been told to stop making embarrassing statements to the media.
De Villiers landed himself in trouble during the Lions series when he used a black-white mechanic analogy with racial undertones to defend halfback Ricky Januarie's inclusion in the squad.
He went on to infuriate the Lions by defending the actions of rugged flanker Schalk Burger, who was banned for eight weeks for eye gouging.
De Villiers was given a dressing down when he met with South African Rugby Union (SARU) officials this week, local media reported on Monday.
"The assessment committee advised Peter to refrain from statements involving the Bible and to generally be more careful about what he says," SARU president Oregan Hoskins told the Sunday Times.
"We explained where he could have used a different approach. One example was the statement about the mechanic when he tried to defend Ricky Januarie's selection.
"We made it clear the media wasn't there to fight with him and that they just report what they see and hear.
"We spent almost a day with Peter and had quite a productive meeting. I think he can put the exercise to good use."
The All Blacks arrived in Pretoria on Monday to prepare for their first of two Tri-Nations matches against South Africa on successive weekends.
The first is in Bloemfontein on Sunday morning (AEST), with the second in Durban a week later.
Skipper Richie McCaw, centre Conrad Smith and lock Isaac Ross were the only players nursing minor injuries following Saturday night's 22-16 win over Australia.
© 2009 NZPA
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Media muzzle for Bok coach
The South African Rugby Union is happy with Springbok coach Peter de Villiers' coaching prowess, but he has been cautioned about his relations with the media and the sponsors, as well as an over-elaborate focus on transformation in team selection.
Weekend newspapers reported that De Villiers had passed his "performance review" last week, but that his strange and controversial statements in the media did not go down as well with the committee - which consisted of SARU president Oregan Hoskins, acting Chief Executive of SA Rugby Andy Marinos, Springbok selector Ian McIntosh, the Chairman of the board of SA Rugby Jan Marais and Leopards president James Stoffberg.
The SARU committee told De Villiers to stop making statements that could potentially embarrass his employers - as he muddled metaphors did throughout the British and Irish Lions tour.
De Villiers dominated the headlines after his remarks about black and white mechanics, while his hamfisted defence of Schalk Burger after the flank was accused of eye- gouging infuriated the Lions.
"The assessment committee advised Peter to refrain from statements involving the Bible and to generally be more careful about what he says," Hoskins told both the Sunday Times and Rapport newspapers.
"We explained where he could have used a different approach. One example was the statement about the mechanic when he tried to defend Ricky Januarie's selection.
"We made it clear the media wasn't there to fight with him and that they just report what they see and hear. We spent almost a day with Peter and had quite a productive meeting. I think he can put the exercise to good use," Hoskins added.
According to newspapers the members of the committee were pleased with the Bok coach's performance, in winning the series against the Lions, but queried his team selections and his use of tactical substitutes.
De Villiers was warned that he might have placed too much of a focus on transformation and that this aspect could in future count against him.
Players of colour who had been selected, but whose form was not up to standard were apparently brought to his attention.
According to the newspapers De Villiers' media relations took up most of the meeting, with his controversial statements being discussed individually.
De Villiers had been advised to speak Afrikaans at future press conferences in order to express himself correctly.
Hoskins said that the performance review was on the whole a most constructive exercise and that the national coach had taken their advice to heart.
"We weren't necessarily Lions-tour specific, but it certainly incorporated the tour. It was the second review with Peter and I'm not sure if the next one will be after the Tri-Nations or the end-of-year tour," Hoskins said.
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