One last shot for Coetzee

 

Coetzee has agreed to replace new Sharks coach Gary Gold at Japanese club Kobelco Steelers and this Super Rugby campaign will be his last in charge at Newlands, with John Dobson set to coach Western Province in the Currie Cup.

 

In his eight years at the helm the Stormers have shown consistency in Super Rugby without being able to convert that into silverware, with the high point coming in 2010 and 2011 when they lost in the Final and semifinal respectively.

 

He has one last chance to improve on that, with far less pressure on him given that he is walking away at the end of the season whatever happens.

 

Coetzee is looking forward to having one final tilt at a competition that has brought him considerable frustration over the years, and made it clear that although he is leaving he will certainly not lack motivation to succeed this season.

 

"I am quite excited about this season, knowing it is my last season with the Stormers. 

 

"I will show my gratitude for the Western Province supporters by my commitment to this campaign this year," he said.

 

The former Springbok assistant coach said that after eight years in Cape Town which saw him win two Currie Cup titles with Western Province and claim the South African Super Rugby conference in 2011, he felt that he needed a change in environment. 

 

"I have had a special time in Cape Town, it is my eighth year doing it and it was a great experience to coach at a fantastic union, one of the best. 

 

"Eight years is a long time, and as a human being you are looking for challenges and an opportunity came along. 

 

"The place is in a really good position, and in rugby it is important for a player to know when to retire and also for a coach when to move on.

 

"What we have achieved at Western Province I am really satisfied I had two special competitions in the Currie Cup with two special captains in Deon Fourie and Juan de Jongh and have been supported by two brilliant coaches in Fleckie [Rob Fleck] and Matt [Proudfoot].

 

Stormers Director of Rugby Gert Smal said that whilst assistant coaches Fleck and Proudfoot would not be involved in the Currie Cup campaign, they are contracted to 2017 and would work with whoever eventually takes over as Stormers coach.

 

"The best way I think of finding someone is to look internally first, then I will headhunt. It is very important that we get the right coach.

 

"I will look for someone who can work with Fleckie and Matt first. He will realise once he starts working with them what their qualities are and how good they are," he said.

 

Smal dismissed rumours of former Springbok Sevens and current defensive coach Paul Treu or former Wallabies and current Japan coach Eddie Jones being linked with the job, explaining that Treu has not got enough experience in the 15-man game and he has not been in contact with Jones at all.

 

"Paul I think has got a massive amount of value to add to Western Province and South African rugby, at the moment we have thrown him up as defence coach which I think he can do very well.

 

"Paul is far from being a head coach of a Super Rugby side, he has only just come back into the 15-man game so he still needs to settle himself and knowing Paul and the person he is I think it will complement his make-up to first start with defence and then expand a bit.

 

"It is an absolute rumour that Eddie [Jones] is in town, I haven't spoken to him so anything that is being written about it is not true at all," he added.