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Admission of stress-related illness by Lions coach highlights the damage pressure can do
By Online Editors
Lions coach Swys de Bruin has claimed he quit his team’s Super Rugby tour of New Zealand for medical reasons.
Speculation has arisen that de Bruin had some sort of falling out with his squad, but the coach has insisted that he returned early to South Africa for treatment on a stress-related condition.
The Lions kicked off their two-match New Zealand trip with a win last Friday over the Chiefs in Hamilton and they are preparing to face Crusaders in Christchurch this Friday again without their boss, a situation that has left conditioning coach Ivan van Rooyen handling team preparations.
There has been rumours of a disagreement on team selection with officials at the Lions union, but a message from de Bruin insisted that medical reasons was why he left the squad prior to their opener in Hamilton.
“I give you a 100 per cent guarantee that there is no break between me and anyone at the team or in my team. There was no meddling, orders or pressure from their side,” said de Bruin.
“The team knows what I am going through and they support me totally. This is solely a personal, medical situation that I need professional help to sort out.
“The team doctor, after I spoke to my wife and (CEO) Rudolf (Straueli), recommended I head home to get the professional help here. This is what is best for me and the team at the moment.
“The bond between me and my players is of such a sort that I don’t for one moment believe they think I dropped them. In contrast, their support and prayers and positive messages have helped me in this time.
“The passion that they played against the Chiefs should confirm this and I’m very proud of every player and management member.
“I have the fullest confidence in my coaching team and management and I am constantly in contact with them to plan the next game.”
The Lions are running second in the South African conference, just a point before the Bulls after five wins in nine matches.
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Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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