The 44-year-old Blue Bulls rugby executive takes over from Peter de Villiers, who coached the Springboks from 2008 to 2011. He will take charge as head coach of the 1995 and 2007 Rugby World Cup champions for the first time against England in Durban on June 9.

Meyer said he relished the opportunity to make all South Africans proud of the Springboks.

“Having been involved with the Blue Bulls for so long, I’ve experienced first hand how passionate South African rugby supporters are,” said Meyer. “I know the importance of rugby in the South African psyche and will do everything in my power to ensure the Springboks remain among the pace setters of world rugby.

I’m very happy to accept this enormous honour and massive responsibility,” he said.

Meyer was head coach of the Vodacom Bulls when they became the first South African team to lift the coveted Vodacom Super 14 trophy in 2007. Before that, he steered the Vodacom Blue Bulls to Absa Currie Cup titles in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006 (shared).

Meyer also has experience of coaching in the Springbok environment. He served as assistant coach to both Nick Mallett and Harry Viljoen at the Boks. He has also been a Springbok coaching candidate in the past.

“The first time I felt I still had things to achieve at the Bulls, and the second time it was decided to appoint someone else,” he said. “I’d like to thank my family and the Blue Bulls Rugby Union for their unwavering support over the past decade. I hope to keep the country’s rugby supporters united behind the Boks.”

Mr Oregan Hoskins, President of SARU, said Meyer received unanimous support from the General and the Executive Councils of SARU.

“The Springboks are SARU’s top priority,” he said. “Heyneke’s coaching pedigree is second to none in South Africa. He will be an asset to the Boks and South African rugby in general,” said Mr Hoskins.

“I’d also like thank our outgoing coach Peter de Villiers for his passion, hard work and dedication over the past four years. However, it was felt that we needed a man with a new approach and new ideas to take over one of the toughest jobs in South African sport.

Heyneke has our full support and we know he won’t leave any stone unturned as he strives to take the Boks back to the top of international rugby.”

According to Jurie Roux, SARU CEO, Meyer’s appointment was the culmination of a thorough process during which the best candidates were evaluated as part of a head hunting process before the Exco unanimously opted to make a formal offer to Meyer.

“The Blue Bulls wished to retain his services but his contract contains an exit clause which has been exercised; very few people can resist the call when your country says it needs you,” said Roux.

“The Springboks are the heartbeat of rugby in South Africa and it was paramount to get the best possible candidate to coach the team going forward. We believe we have done that.”

Roux said decisions on Meyer’s support staff will only be taken later, in consultation with the new Springbok coach.

“No appointments in this regard have been made,” he said.

Fact File:

Personal:

• Date of birth: 6 October 1967
• Age: 44
• Place of birth: Nelspruit
• Education: Bergvlam HS (Nelspruit), University of Pretoria
• Degrees obtained: BA (Pcychology, Geography and Human Movement Science), Hons BA (Geography), HED
• Family: Married to Linda, three children

Coaching career:

• 1988-1996: Coached a number of High School first teams, Under-21 sides and Carlton first teams in Pretoria.
• 1997: SWD Eagles assistant coach
• 1998: SWD Eagles head coach (Vodacom Cup semi-finalists and Absa Currie Cup)
• 1998: Emerging Springboks head coach
• 1999: DHL Stormers assistant coach (semi-finalists in Vodacom Super 12)
• 1999: SWD Eagles head coach (semi-finalists in Absa Currie Cup)
• 1999: Springbok assistant coach (third place, Rugby World Cup)
• 2000: Vodacom Bulls head coach (Vodacom Super 12)
• 2001: Vodacom Blue Bulls head coach (Vodacom Cup champions)
• 2001: Springbok assistant coach
• 2002: Vodacom Bulls head coach (Vodacom Super 12), Vodacom Blue Bulls head coach (Absa Currie Cup champions)
• 2003: Vodacom Blue Bulls head coach (Absa Currie Cup champions)
• 2004: Vodacom Blue Bulls head coach (Absa Currie Cup champions)
• 2005: Vodacom Bulls head coach (Vodacom Super 12 semi-finalists), Vodacom Blue Bulls head coach (Absa Currie Cup runners up)
• 2006: Vodacom Bulls head coach (Vodacom Super 14 semi-finalists), Vodacom Blue Bulls head coach (Absa Currie Cup joint champions)
• 2007: Vodacom Bulls head coach (Vodacom Super 14 champions)
• 2008-2009: Leicester Tigers head coach
• 2011: Tuks Varsity Cup – Advisor
• 2011: Blue Bulls Company – Executive: Rugby
• 2012: Springbok head coach

“The pieces are in place at Province” said Erasmus. “Over the past few seasons we have put the structures in place and they are working well. The management team and player base is settled and there are now a fantastic bunch of youngsters pushing the older guys hard. The squad is very close to taking that final step and winning silverware.” added the coach. “My job is largely done here and there is no doubt in my mind that Allister, Matt, Fleckie and the rest of the management and players have got what it takes to get there.”

Commenting on his reasons for leaving Erasmus said,

“There are a number of new opportunities that have surfaced at a higher level and I am currently considering my options. Each is an exciting and massive new challenge, and that is a big attraction to me at this stage of my career.  In the interim I have offered to continue to assist at Province whenever required.  I have enjoyed my time here in the Cape immensely and feel that I have contributed to facilitating building the structures that have taken us to the brink of success. I have no doubt that that success is but a tiny step away now and I leave Province satisfied with the strides made. I am grateful to Province for the opportunity and Newlands, The Stormers, WP and the Faithful will always have a special place in my heart.”

WP Rugby Managing Director Rob Wagner commenting on the coaches’ decision said,

“Rassie has made a huge contribution at WP. We are obviously very sorry to see him go, but understand his desire for new challenges.  Rassie has been very good in keeping us informed of his decision and we have been waiting for the return of our senior players and team management before making the announcement. We understand that he is a big loss but we are also confident that the structures, players, coaching and management staff and the plans in place at all levels in the Province, are strong enough to allow us to make that final jump and secure the silverware that we are all working towards.”

Having crashed out at the quarter final stage to France, with their tournament marred by off field controversies, Lancaster knows that the England fans and those looking at the latest rugby bookmakers review will be expecting a big turnaround when the European tournament kicks off on Saturday.

England will have to make do without several key players for the game against Scotland at Murrayfield, with Northampton flanker Tom Wood, initially lined up as captain, not available due to a toe injury, while Toby Flood, Manu Tuilagi, Danny Care and Louis Deacon will also be missing.

Furthermore, there has been something of a crisis for English clubs in the Heineken Cup this season, leading to concerns that some of England’s top players will go into the Six Nations tournament in poor form.

Between 2004 and 2009, English clubs filled three of the eight quarter-final places in the Heineken Cup, but this season only Saracens remain. Harlequins, the current league leaders, were beaten 9-8 in Galway on Friday night against Connacht.

Critics have pointed out that one of the main problems at the moment is the problems England are facing at the breakdown at the moment. It is certainly a problem that Lancaster and his coaches will have to address sooner rather than later.

Meanwhile Saracens South African hooker, John Smit, admits his side face a tough challenge in the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup when they take on French side Clermont, his former club.

He said: “Clermont are a fantastic club with quality players throughout the squad.

“I know from my time there that they always want to do well in the Heineken Cup. But at Saracens, we are looking to create our own legacy with the squad of players we have.”

Saracens overcame Treviso 26-20 as the last English club standing, but will be joined by the Scottish side Edinburgh qualified from Pool 2, and will now face Toulouse.

They become the first Scottish side to book a home quarter-final since the tournament’s inception 16 years ago.

Coach Michael Bradley said: “This is a huge step forward for Edinburgh rugby, first and foremost, and to the players here who made a commitment to each other in September of this season when we set out some objectives and how we wanted to play the game.

“We made a commitment to areas we haven’t been good at in the past, and we have had some brilliant games here at Murrayfield against Racing Metro and Cardiff Blues.

“The boys have achieved what they set out to do so far, and it’s great for Edinburgh rugby.”

The other four sides in the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup are Leinster, Cardiff Blues, Biarritz and Clermont Auvergne.

Those betting money on rugby will note how Johnson stepped down from his role as England team manager last week following a poor World Cup campaign and there has been plenty of negative reaction in the aftermath of the quarter-final exit.

Documents reviewing the tournament – which included comments from players and coaching staff – were then leaked to the press yesterday, making matters a whole lot worse.

The confidential report hinted that some of England’s players were more interested in making money than being successful with the team, while members of the coaching staff also received some criticism.

Cueto believes that all the players have to accept their responsibility for the poor displays in South Africa, saying that Johnson ‘was the right man for the job’.

The 31-year-old said: “We all know what happened there and how the players sort of let him down. I think he spent more time and effort cleaning up things off the field than he did on the field.”

“I still feel he was the right man for the job. You look at the record over the past 12 months and you’d be amazed to think that his job was under pressure, but that’s the way sport is.”

“We’d all agree the performances weren’t good enough and ultimately the main man takes the blame, but I’m massively disappointed for him.”

Following the departure of Johnson last week, England’s attacking coach Brian Smith has also stood down as they fall-out from the World Cup continues.

Those giving sporting tips have reported that the 45-year-old was targeted for criticism in the leaked reports on England’s tournament, with one player saying: “I would be delighted if he went. Our attack play was boring, uninventive, lacklustre, even schoolboy at times.”

Another player added: “He didn’t offer anything. The players had all the ideas for strategy. All he did was write their ideas on the board.”

Overall, it seems fairly certain that we haven’t heard the last of England’s World Cup campaign just yet!

The 34-year-old will make his last appearance for Wales against Australia in December and has already turned his attention to coaching in the second part of his rugby career.

Speaking about future possibilities, he said:

“I’d like to be [Wales coach], I know it’s a tough job. It would be nice to do it one day because I love Welsh rugby and I’ll keep loving Welsh rugby even after I finish playing.

I’d like to do something with Wales in the future as a coach or something else.I’ve had a great time with Wales and the Ospreys, it has been my life and hopefully it stays that way even when I finish playing.”

Williams then spoke further about his ambitions, speaking about attempting to emulate Rob Howley in going from a star player to involved successfully in the managerial set-up.

He continued:

“I used to dream of playing for Wales so why not? I’d love to come back and do something like Rob Howley. For Rob to be coaching Wales after finishing rugby not that long ago is incredible.

And what he brings to the way Wales want to attack, he gets overshadowed a little bit as he really does a lot with Wales.

If I could do something like that and be as successful as Rob in a few years then great. I’d love to be part of it.”

For now though, Williams will be extremely determined to go out on a high against Australia next month. He has scored 57 tries in a variety of Wales Rugby Shirts and would love to add to this tally one last time.

Speaking last week, Wales coach Warren Gatland said:

“Shane is playing well at the moment and we want him to start against the Wallabies.

He has been a magnificent servant, not just to Welsh rugby, but to the world game and fans who believe he deserves a magnificent send-off will not be disappointed.”

The NZRU have released a statement on the matter, saying Zac will need a structured and on going plan of  support. NZRU Neil Sorensen said “…it is fairly clear that there are some very big issues involved here, and rugby cannot provide all the solutions on our own.”

The 22 year old World Cup winner admits to having a drinking problem, and has since apologised, stating he wants to make positive steps to sort himself out.

The following video shows Zac apologising on return from Rarotonga. (via NZ Herald TV)

Click here to view the embedded video.

]]> http://www.blogspotrugby.com/zac-guildford-apologises-on-return-from-rarotonga-video/feed/ 1 http://www.blogspotrugby.com/zac-guildford-apologises-on-return-from-rarotonga-video/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BlogspotRugby/~3/ki5a47_8tMo/ http://www.blogspotrugby.com/nzru-make-statement-regarding-zac-guildford/#comments Wed, 16 Nov 2011 06:26:40 +0000 Dooley http://www.blogspotrugby.com/?p=5406 Read More]]> The following from the NZRU: The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) has engaged external expertise to help implement a plan of support for All Black Zac Guildford.

Guildford returned to New Zealand from Rarotonga this morning, having been cleared by Cook Island Police to leave, and after offering to meet and apologise face-to-face to people he had encountered last Thursday. He also spoke to media on his arrival at Auckland International Airport.

NZRU General Manager Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen today confirmed that while Guildford had embarrassed himself and rugby, it was important to provide a structured and ongoing plan of support for the 22-year-old.

“From an employer’s perspective, the events in Rarotonga have been incredibly disappointing and Zac needs to be accountable for his actions.  This will involve Zac going through our misconduct process over the coming weeks.

However, it is fairly clear that there are some very big issues involved here, and rugby cannot provide all the solutions on our own.  We are working with a professional counselling organisation which will provide guidance and input as to the next steps for the coming days, weeks and months.

That will obviously require a joint approach with Zac, his family and other supporters, the Crusaders and the NZRU,” Sorensen said.

After several months of negotiations with the Unión Argentina de Rugby (UAR) and the International Rugby Board (IRB), the SANZAR Joint Venture partners have invited Argentina to join the tournament. An agreement confirming Argentina’s participation was signed in Auckland recently.

“The invitation to Argentina to join the Championship is a defining moment for Southern Hemisphere rugby and significant for world rugby,” said SANZAR CEO, Greg Peters.

The regular participation of Argentina at a higher level is long overdue and we are excited about their inclusion in The Rugby Championship. Playing in the Championship will have significant benefits for Argentinian rugby as a whole and will bring new energy to the jewel in the crown of SANZAR.

The Pumas, as they showed at the recent Rugby World Cup, play an exciting and different brand of rugby to the other three teams, which will definitely add a new dimension,” Peters said.

The new name of The Rugby Championship reflects its claim to be the ultimate contest, featuring teams that are currently ranked first, second, fourth and seventh in the world.

“The Rugby Championship is an annual contest between the ‘best-of-the-best’ in world rugby – nations who have won six of the seven Rugby World Cups,” said Peters.

The President of the UAR, Luis Castillo, has described his country’s inclusion as an historic moment for rugby in Argentina.

“The Argentine Rugby Union and Argentinean rugby community is proud to be part of this great tournament,” he said. “We will work to maintain high standards in our rugby, with our ultimate goal being to keep generating resources for the development of rugby at the clubs,” Castillo said.

UAR High Performance Chairman, Manuel Galindo, added:

“For years Argentinean Rugby has been seeking to participate regularly in a tournament like this. Playing in The Rugby Championship makes us really proud and will compel us to work harder at what we are doing. We must celebrate being part of this tournament,”.

Argentina’s participation in The Rugby Championship has been welcomed by the SANZAR Joint Venture partners.

Australian Rugby Union (ARU) Managing Director and CEO, John O’Neill said:

“Argentina is a proud rugby nation and their passionate charge to the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup in 2007 was certainly a feature of that tournament in France.

They have waited a long time to play in a regular competition at the highest level and their inclusion into The Rugby Championship from 2012 provides that opportunity.

The expansion of the Championship, following this year’s new-look format for Super Rugby with the addition of a 15th team in the Melbourne Rebels, is also further proof that SANZAR continues to be the innovative leader of the international game.

We have come a long way since the professional era dawned with a Super 12 competition and a two-round Tri-Nations series between the Wallabies, All Blacks and Springboks.

Our international footprint has been significantly increased at both Super Rugby and Test level and the launching of The Rugby Championship next year will be the latest exciting chapter in the ongoing evolution of SANZAR.”

South African Rugby Union (SARU) CEO, Jurie Roux said:

“This is a significant moment in the history of Southern Hemisphere rugby and marks the launching pad to a dramatically changed landscape.

The inclusion of South Africa’s old friends from Argentina is a great day for rugby and recognises the rich history and passion for the sport in the rugby community in that country.

It will add a new flavour and dimension to SANZAR rugby and offers the prospect of promoting rugby in other South American nations.

It also ensures a more logical and balanced Championship with fixtures and travel evened out across the region.”

The CEO of the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU), Steve Tew added:

“The 2011 Rugby World Cup demonstrated exactly how exciting matches between our four countries can be.

Argentina fully deserves to be part of the best annual rugby competition in the world and their presence in the Championship – as well as the inclusion of Sevens rugby in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro – help the global expansion of the game.

Outside of the Rugby World Cup, the Pumas last played in New Zealand in June 2004.  As we saw during the tournament, their colourful and lively fans will be sure to add something special to The Rugby Championship.

This Championship will ensure fans get to see more of the outstanding, hard hitting and exciting rugby for which our SANZAR nations are known as well as the flair and unpredictable style of rugby that Argentina is sure to bring,”

Former Pumas scrumhalf, Agustin Pichot, the UAR’s SANZAR Representative who has led its negotiations with SANZAR, said Argentinean rugby as a whole should be proud of this achievement.

“After many years of history and the hard work of many generations of players on and off the pitch, Argentinean rugby will be part of the toughest and most prestigious tournament in the Southern Hemisphere,” Pichot said.

SANZAR has confirmed the draw for the inaugural edition of The Rugby Championship in 2012, which sees each side facing the others twice – home and away – for a total of 12 matches.

The 2012 Championship will kick-off on 18 August 2012 and conclude on 6 October 2012.

“Adding another country will have an impact on the travel schedules.

To balance the additional travel requirements, the fixtures have been scheduled in two-week blocks with week-long travel byes in-between. This will ensure there is adequate recovery time for the teams,” Peters said.

The Rugby Championship fixtures:

18 August 2012:

• Australia vs New Zealand at ANZ Stadium, Sydney
• South Africa vs Argentina – TBC

25 August 2012:  

• New Zealand vs Australia at Eden Park, Auckland
• Argentina vs South Africa – TBC

1 September 2012:   Travel Bye

8 September 2012:  

• Australia vs South Africa at Patersons Stadium, Perth
• New Zealand vs Argentina at Westpac Stadium in Wellington

15 September 2012:

• Australia vs Argentina at Skilled Park, Gold Coast
•  New Zealand vs South Africa at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin

22 September 2012: Travel Bye

29 September 2012:

• South Africa vs Australia – TBC
• Argentina vs New Zealand – TBC

6 October 2012:     

• South Africa vs New Zealand – TBC
•  Argentina vs Australia – TBC

Match venues for South Africa and Argentina will be confirmed at a later date.

A SANZAR delegation will travel to Argentina in November on a fact-finding visit during which it will conduct venue inspections and hold discussions with the UAR, host broadcasters and other key stakeholders to ensure the smooth transition from Tri-Nations to The Rugby Championship.

Armitage – who wore his England Rugby World Cup Shirt with pride in New Zealand –  has a hearing on Tuesday to determine what punishment he should face for his dangerous tackle on Bath wing Tom Biggs and the kneeing of Dave Attwood.

Offences of that nature usually carry a two game ban, but with his reputation going before him, it has been speculated that Armitage could face a much heavier reprimand.

The 27-year-old received an eight week ban earlier this year for pushing an anti-doping officer following Irish’s game with Bath on New Years Day.

Later on in the season, he was handed a three week ban for hitting Northampton fly-half Stephen Myler.

His third ban of the year came during England’s fateful World Cup campaign, when he was penalised for a high tackle on Scotland’s Chris Paterson.

Armitage’s club London Irish have decided to drop him for this weekend’s clash with Leicester in the Aviva Premiership.

It has been a career riddled with controversy for Armitage, who has been in and out of the England set-up.

Since making his début for London Irish in 2002, he has gone on to make over 100 appearances for the club, scoring an impressive 213 points.

He would not doubt have been more of a regular feature in the national team if it were not for his feisty reputation and past injury problems.

He made his England début in 2008, against the Pacific Islanders when regular full-backs Matthew Tait and Abendanon were injured.

Despite being born in Trinidad and Tobago, he has won 26 caps for the England national team, scoring 44 points.

It remains to be seen what punishment awaits Armitage, but what is clear is that this is one player that controversy just seems to follow.

But the prop insists he isn’t in England to bump up his retirement fund, but to add to his already impressive personal haul of medals.

“There are two types of players who have come here from the southern hemisphere,” he told The Evening Standard. “There are the guys who want to come here and make a life here. Those guys have invariably done well and proven to be an asset to their clubs.

“You have had other guys who have come here and sat around and not paid the Premiership that respect. I’m fully aware of that, and it’s not my intention. For someone who has played as long as I have, the last thing I want is for people to say I came here for two or three years and just sat around.

“Speaking frankly, there are many clubs someone like me could have gone to, jumped on the boat and seen how far it would take me. Saracens is not that kind of club. This is a dynamic club making huge inroads, and one that has been hugely successful over the past two years.”

To be fair to Smit if he was looking for a free ride into retirement he could have chosen an easier club to do it with. Reigning Premiership champions, Sarries are coached by Brendan Venter, the former Springbok with a reputation as a hard task masker as a coach. Venter  is the heartbeat of the club that he has built in his image, and it is unlikely that Smit will be allowed to sail through a year or two in the northern hemisphere without getting his hands dirty.

But Venter already has Matt Stevens, Carlos Nieto, Dean Carstens as well as and fellow South African international hooker Schalk Brits in Saracens Rugby Shirts, so what does Smit bring that those talented guys can’t?

It is of course his experience. Brits has carved a career out in England as one of the most dynamic front row forwards out there despite being largely ignored by his countrymen, while Matt Stevens continued his re-integration into rugby after serving his lengthy drug ban, but both men remain a little rough round the edges and there can be no finer man to learn from than Smit.

So even if his time on the pitch is minimal and on face value his move may end up seeming a late mad dash for cash, but with Saracens there to be shot at as reigning champions, Smit may be able to have more influence than even he would have thought possible when he joined the club.