Smart money on Mitchell for Stormers
by Craig Ray,
2015-11-24 05:55:13.0
FORMER All Blacks coach John Mitchell is edging closer to finalising a deal to become the next Stormers coach.
The 51-year-old Mitchell is set to replace Eddie Jones after the latter vacated his post less than three weeks into the job to become England head coach.
Mitchell has also coached the Western Force and Lions in Super Rugby, and fits Western Province director of rugby Gert Smal’s strict criteria of "six or seven years’ Super Rugby experience and also international experience".
Technical discussions would still have to take place about expectations over game plans, strategic direction of the team, individual responsibilities and also for Mitchell to glean an understanding of the structures already in place at the union.
Mitchell, who is the CEO of a Pietermaritzburg-based packaging company, will not be able to start immediately should terms be agreed. If he signs, it would be a small coup for Smal after Jones let the union down.
Mitchell comes with pedigree and a proven track record, although he has not always been universally popular.
But successful coaches are seldom popular and while Mitchell is a hard taskmaster, his teams produce attractive, attacking rugby — another of Smal’s criteria.
Jones was also set to be a mentor to young assistant coaches such as Robbie Fleck, Paul Treu and Russell Winter, and in Mitchell, the Stormers would have the right man to fulfil a similar role.
WP will not comment on the coaching situation at this stage.
"Gert will come up with someone good," WP president Thelo Wakefield said at a media briefing last week.
"I like Gert’s vision and support his vision. We would like to assure everyone that we are working hard on our recovery strategy and will only make an announcement when a deal is finalised," Wakefield said.
At the same briefing, Smal added: "I still want an international coach because it stimulates the system. But you have to see who is available and what is the best fit for Western Province and the Stormers."
Paul Treu and Robbie Fleck. Picture: GALLO IMAGES/CARL FOURIE
FORMER All Blacks coach John Mitchell is edging closer to finalising a deal to become the next Stormers coach.
The 51-year-old Mitchell is set to replace Eddie Jones after the latter vacated his post less than three weeks into the job to become England head coach.
Mitchell has also coached the Western Force and Lions in Super Rugby, and fits Western Province director of rugby Gert Smal’s strict criteria of "six or seven years’ Super Rugby experience and also international experience".
Technical discussions would still have to take place about expectations over game plans, strategic direction of the team, individual responsibilities and also for Mitchell to glean an understanding of the structures already in place at the union.
Mitchell, who is the CEO of a Pietermaritzburg-based packaging company, will not be able to start immediately should terms be agreed. If he signs, it would be a small coup for Smal after Jones let the union down.
Mitchell comes with pedigree and a proven track record, although he has not always been universally popular.
But successful coaches are seldom popular and while Mitchell is a hard taskmaster, his teams produce attractive, attacking rugby — another of Smal’s criteria.
Jones was also set to be a mentor to young assistant coaches such as Robbie Fleck, Paul Treu and Russell Winter, and in Mitchell, the Stormers would have the right man to fulfil a similar role.
WP will not comment on the coaching situation at this stage.
"Gert will come up with someone good," WP president Thelo Wakefield said at a media briefing last week.
"I like Gert’s vision and support his vision. We would like to assure everyone that we are working hard on our recovery strategy and will only make an announcement when a deal is finalised," Wakefield said.
At the same briefing, Smal added: "I still want an international coach because it stimulates the system. But you have to see who is available and what is the best fit for Western Province and the Stormers."
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