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Bulls confirm new coaching ticket with ex-Ireland forwards coach at helm
By Kim Ekin
Former Ireland forwards coach Gert Smal has confirmed his new coaching tickets as he lead the Bulls in their Carling Currie Cup title defence.
The Tshwane-based side last month announced the arrival of former Springbok assistant coach, Smal, at Loftus to spearhead the team for the campaign.
A giant 6'6, 120kg Springbok flanker in his playing days; the 59-year-old was assistant coach to current Bulls director of rugby, Jake White, during the successful era which led to the Springboks winning the 2007 World Cup in France.
Smal further held the role of assistant coach for Ireland from 2008 until 2013 before assuming a position as director of rugby at DHL Western Province. Most recently, he has been coaching at Japanese club, Toyota Verblitz as forwards coach.
The former Bok flanker will be ably assisted by a new coaching staff in the campaign which kicks off with a visit to Mbombela on Friday where the Vodacom Bulls will face the Pumas.
Former Vodacom Bulls Under-20 coaches Pine Pienaar (defence coach), Hayden Groepes (backs and attack coach), Edgar Marutlulle (scrum coach) will take up their reins in the Carling Currie Cup team.
âWe are privileged at the Vodacom Bulls to have a number of talented coaches within our structures,â said Vodacom Bulls director of rugby, Jake White. âA knowledgeable coach like Gert will certainly find comfort in being surrounded by an experienced coach like Pine Pienaar, a hard-working and committed individual like Hayden Groepes and one of the most promising player-turned-coach in Edgar Marutlulle.
âWe have no doubt that this team of coaches and the squad of players that we have will continue to fly the Vodacom Bulls flag high in the Carling Currie Cup this year.â
BULLS COACHING TICKET:
Head Coach: Gert Smal
Defence Coach: Pine Pienaar
Backs & Attack Coach: Hayden Groepes
Scrum Coach: Edgar Marutlulle
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Latest Comments
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Nothing to stew son.
Go to commentsTupaea is a natural 12. What is it with you kiwis and playing players out of their positions. Is that some sort of national sport? Is that on purpose? Youâve got an utility back and a winger at 12 and 13 respectivelly. You played Savea at 8 for ages, wasting the potential of one of the worldâs three best players in the last 4-5 years.
ALB is equally effective at 12 and 13, so why not have him or Tupaea at 12, and Proctor at 13? God forbid youâd have two midfielders playing at their natural positions! There must be a law in New Zealand, that prohibits that. Small sample size, but Proctor walked on water in his international debut at 13.
But the kiwi selectors seem to love Riekoâs speed, so as long as the horse is fast enough, they decided theyâll teach him to climb trees anyway.
You donât have a better 10 than BB and Moâunga. DMac is a more instinctive attacker (almost as good as Moâunga ⌠almost), but doesnât have BBâs game-controlling skills. You have and will lose games due to his aimless kicking and spur-of-the-moment inventions none of his team mates are able to read at the international pace. Works okay at Super Rugby level, doesnât mean itâs transferable to test matches. But hey, suit yourself.
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