Go on! Redeem yourself Allister
Allister Coetzee seems determined to prove his detractors wrong and silence his critics now that he knows what his future holds as Springbok coach. Trevor Cramer encourages him to do so.
Nice guys always finish last - or in most cases it would seem.
A nice guy he certainly is, but now it's time for Allister Coetzee to untie his own hands that have been shackled behind his back and show that he has the coaching pedigree that won him the job in the first place.
Not only are the SA Rugby Executive Council (Exco) -- coupled with a bit of external coaxing perhaps -- offering him a chance to redeem himself, but they’re also adding some of the country's leading rugby brains to his management team to ensure it happens. With this, they want to ensure that maybe, just maybe, one of the oldest and proudest sporting brands is restored to it's former glory.
The Exco has also approved the appointment of Franco Smith as new assistant coach and indications are very strong that the tough as nails 'rugby doctor' Brendan Venter may be added to the mix very soon.
Smith has been added to the backline coaching team at the expense of Mzwandile Stick, who links up with the Bok under-20 side as an assistant coach.
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While Stick's removal is regrettable, one has to feel sorry for the up and coming coach, who was really fed to the wolves last year with his limited coaching pedigree at international level.
Venter, who has been working with Italy and had a lot to do with masterminding the Azzuri's huge upset over the Boks late last year, looks set to take on the role of the defensive coach, but contractual details are set to be finalised before he can officially be unveiled.
Most pundits are critical of the protracted period of debate and consultation before SA Rugby reached their decision and not necessarily the outcome.
On the surface, it would seem that this was an inevitable decision based on financial considerations and contractual obligations to Coetzee.
But as Leicester City's championship-winning manager Claudio Ranieri learnt last week, every high performance environment is inevitably results-driven.
And on that score, Coetzee has failed dismally with a winning return of four matches in 12 (a 33% win ratio) which by his own admission may have been grounds for his dismissal.
Whether that critical performance clause was included in his contract or not is uncertain and SA Rugby remain understandably mum on that one.
Human nature is such that everyone is determined to prove their critics wrong at times and silence their detractors. Although he may not blurt it out, one senses that Coetzee has a burning desire to do so.
Coetzee merely took the opportunity to thank the Exco for reaffirming their support in him as Springbok coach and resolved to 'turn it around' after what he described as an 'extremely challenging season'.
As the biggest feeder into the Springbok pool, Coetzee has also emphasized the importance of sharing knowledge with the local franchise coaches on a more regular basis with ongoing coaching indabas.
"At this time last year I was still to be appointed, but this time I have already been planning, holding meetings, preparation camps and fine tuning logistics, to ensure optimal performance,' says Coetzee.
The three-Test incoming tour by France in June will be Coetzee's acid test.
While there may be mixed reaction to the latest development every Springbok fan is longing for a happy ending to this nightmare.
Allister Coetzee's Record as Springbok Coach:
Record by Country:
Opponent Played Won Drew Lost Win % For Against
Argentina 2 1 0 1 50 54 49
Australia 2 1 0 1 50 35 33
England 1 0 0 1 0 21 37
Ireland 3 2 0 1 67 71 65
Italy 1 0 0 1 0 18 20
New Zealand 2 0 0 2 0 28 98
Wales 1 0 0 1 0 13 27
TOTAL 12 4 0 8 33 240 331
ALSO READ: Boks - Coetzee gets the thumbs-up
Follow Trevor Cramer on twitter @CramerTF