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Matfield to Bulls is anything but a done deal - reports
By Online Editors
Reports that Victor Matfield will soon be unveiled as the new coach of the Bulls ahead for the 2019 Super Rugby season appear to be premature - reports Jan de Koning for Rugby 365.
Recent media reports suggested that the former Springbok lock had edged out Southern Kings coach Deon Davids for the role.
The reports also suggested Pote Human was expected to be named as one of Matfield’s assistant coaches, while Alan Zondagh was in line to be named as the new Director of Rugby at the Bulls.
However, Rugby 365 have revealed that the hunt for a replacement for John Mitchell – who joined Eddie Jones’ England staff as a defence coach in September – has taken a dramatic twist.
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This website has reliably learned that the Blue Bulls Company has formally asked for permission to approach Western Province’s Currie Cup coaches.
This letter has already arrived at Newlands.
The BBC is keen to re-open negotiations with the trio of John Dobson (head coach), Danie Snyman (attack) and Normal Laker (defence) – a group that won the Currie Cup in 2017 and lost to the Sharks in the 2018 Final.
The group was on a previous short list of the Bulls, but they dropped off at an early stage.
The fact that the BBC has asked the Western Province Rugby Football Union for permission to start negotiations with the WP trio suggests that Matfield’s appointment is far from a done deal.
It has also been revealed that Matfield wants to “iron out” some details with his other employers before being appointed at the Bulls.
One of those includes his work as the PayTV analyst.
It has also emerged that the BBC may not appoint Alan Zondagh as a full-time Director of Rugby. Zondagh, a former Western Province coach, was also linked to a prominent position at Loftus Versfeld.
However, @rugby365com has learnt that he may only help out on a part-time or consultancy basis.
Zondagh – who had coaching stints with Eastern Province, Western Province and London Scottish, while being a Director of Rugby at Saracens – in recent years ran a very successful High-Performance Centre in Riebeek West in the Western Cape.
The Bulls’ attempts to find a replacement for Mitchell have run into numerous problems and resulted in a number of candidates – like Jimmy Stonehouse and Fourie du Preez – distancing themselves from the position.
It is clear this merry-go-round is not slowing down any time soon.
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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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