VIDEO: Leinster coach unpacks the reasons for Nienaber signing
REACTION: It is the character of the man that drew Leinster to Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber when they approached him with a job offer.
This was the explanation offered by Leinster coach Leo Cullen at the weekend, after his side’s last-minute win over the Lions at Ellis Park.
The South African Rugby Union released a statement this past Saturday that confirmed Nienaber’s impending departure after the World Cup in France.
It will not be Nienaber’s first venture into the Irish domestic scene.
Nienaber, as an assistant, and SA’s Director of Rugby Johan Erasmus (as coach) were a package at Munster from 2016 – before returning home to take over the Springboks in 2018.
Cullen told media at the post-match briefing at Ellis Park that the Irish province was delighted to secure Nienaber’s signature to join them post the World Cup.
“He is someone I admire greatly as a coach, but more importantly as a really great man as well.
“We were aware of Jacques during his time at Munster originally and then back with the Springboks and winning the World Cup.
“We’ve always followed his progress with interest.
“Just all the feedback I’ve heard and a great man as well.
“So the ‘great man’ part is what we are attracted to.
“You want great characters in the group and he is someone that has delivered at the highest level of the game,” Cullen added
(Article continues below the Leo Cullen interview …)
The Leinster coach also revealed that the two of them have been in talks for some time.
“I’ve talked with Jacques a while back and we’ve been back and forth.
“It’s a fantastic appointment for us because of the experience he has.
“We have a huge amount of respect for what the Springboks have achieved in recent years.
“If you think about not only winning the 2019 World Cup, but also the Lions tour as well when Jacques got into that head coach role.”
Cullen explained Nienaber will be very focused on South Africa in the short term, but when he does join Leinster, he will hopefully give the province a real big lift’.
Nienaber will replace Stuart Lancaster, who is joining Racing 92 in France and according to Cullen, the Springbok coach will bring a similar experience to the table as Lancaster did when he became part of the Leinster set-up.
“It’s not just the pure culture part, it’s the off-field things, all his experience that he brings to the table, leadership etc,” Cullen said.
“We signed Robin McBryde from Wales after the previous World Cup cycle and he missed the early part of the season.
“It would be a similar situation with Jacques.
“Another great man, that is what I am attracted to.
“We’ve had time to figure out what it is we are after and target people who are potentially coming off contract.
“It’s not perfect, but we will work our way through the pre-season and it is worth the wait with someone of Jacques’ calibre.”
