1
'The most excited I have been for any job' - Rowntree explains why he's chosen Georgia
By Chris Jones
Graham Rowntree, the former British and Irish Lions coach who quit Harlequins in the summer, has revealed that becoming Georgia’s forwards coach for their World Cup campaign was an “opportunity I just couldn’t miss.”
Rowntree will reprise the role he held with both the Lions and England and has joined a coaching team headed by New Zealand’s Milton Haig after staying below the rugby radar since his exit from Harlequins following last season’s disappointing campaign that also led to the departures of John Kingston and Nick Easter, who is working with the Sharks in Durban.
Rowntree played loosehead prop for the British & Irish Lions, Leicester and England, earning 54 international caps and played in two World Cups. He was part of the England coaching set-up under Stuart Lancaster at the 2015 World Cup when the host country failed to get out of their Pool.
Georgia are in Pool D at next year’s World Cup in Japan alongside Australia, Wales, Fiji and Uruguay and Rowntree’s background knowledge of those opponents and his love of forward play will be a major asset to Georgia.
"I have not felt like this before about a role. Probably the most excited I have been for any job", Rowntree said after being presented to the media.
"For an Englishman to be coaching the Georgian forward pack it's... but I have been a big fan of Georgian forward play for a long time and to have the opportunity to be associated with such a forward pack and help to get the best out of that forward pack. It is such a big year coming up - it is an opportunity I just couldn’t miss."
"The warmth that has been shown by Milton (Haig) and everyone else in the organisation has furthermore increased my excitement. I cannot wait to get stuck into the games in the Autumn."
Head coach Haig added “The most impressive thing, certainly from my point of view, when I first met Graham was his enthusiasm to be able to be involved in the Georgian team. Right from the start and his very first words when I met him four weeks ago was his excitement and his enthusiasm to be involved with this Georgian team and that for me said everything about the guy, as a person first and obviously as a coach.”
You may also like: Wallabies Allan Alaalatoa and Ned Hanigan speak ahead of Springboks test
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Why World Cup winner doesn’t blame All Black for leaving New Zealand
3
Tyrone Green decision has huge bearing on his international future
4
Five legends to be inducted into World Rugby Hall of Fame
5
Latest Comments
Agreed. As a Saffa I have much respect for the ABs. I also have to say given any option I would ONLY prefer to lose to ABs. To lose to England is probably the most embarrassing think to happen to either of us.
There was a time when both of us lost to England and we both hated it. Thankfully those days are behind us. Kudos to you guys, kudos to ABs. But dear old BS seems to hate us Boks. No idea why.
Go to commentsI got the sense that holding him to it was kickback from SB and the rfu smarting at being jilted quite so soon, so unexpectedly and so publicly.
Seem to remember that they spoke to Gustard before appointing Joe and you really have to think he would have come in at a higher level?
Go to comments