VIDEO: 'Jake didn't want me at the Bulls'
Morne Steyn, known as the darling of Loftus Versfeld, caused a bit of a stir when he was named as a kicking consultant for the Lions, ahead of the new United Rugby Championship and European Challenge Cup season.
Capped 68 times for the Springboks and amassing over 700 Test points, Steyn spent more than 14 years at the Bulls franchise.
It would’ve been fitting for the legend to plie his coaching career at the Pretoria-based side.
However, in a very similar fashion to former All Black coach Steve Hansen joining the Wallabies ahead of the World Cup, Steyn has crossed the Jukskei River to join the Johannesburg franchise.
Speaking to the media donning the famous red of the Lions, Steyn admitted he would’ve loved to stay at the Bulls as a consultant, following his retirement in June, but that was not an option.
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“I spoke to the Bulls and was supposed to start in August with the juniors, because the senior team do not want me as a kicking consultant or coach.
“And behind the scenes, I heard Jake [White, Bulls Director of rugby] don’t want me there anymore. He had other plans.”
He explained: “The Bulls haven’t had a kicking coach since Vlok Cillier left, so it is a new thing.
“Maybe in the next year or two, Jake will look at it, but at the moment I don’t think he wants a kicking consultant or coach there.
“[Bulls assistant coach] Chris Roussouw is at Loftus so he is doing a lot of the kicking game and is helping some of the guys.”
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Steyn emphasised that there is no bad blood between him and the Bulls and reiterated that in the future a consultant opportunity might open up.
Turning his attention to his role as kicking consultant of the Lions, Steyn said his first two weeks have been amazing and he is hoping to get more involved during his two-year contract.
“With me being a consultant, I come in three times a week during pre-season and then two times a week during the regular season.
“It is all about getting the guys on the training field, putting the work in every day and helping them with new drills and things they are not used to.
“Guys like [Lions assistant coaches] Jacques Fourie and Ricardo Laubscher will cover the coaching aspect and I will sit in with them and give my opinions.
“It’s not like I’m just going to teach them to kick and leave, I will play a part in the whole kicking game.
“I signed a two-year deal so as the years go I will see how my role will change.”
Steyn revealed he will be at matchdays and will not tour with the Lions.
The Gauteng side opens their URC campaign with a match against Stormers at Ellis Park on October 21.
