SARU deny rift in camp

No problems within management team, says Marinos

Last updated: 26th July 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

SARU deny rift in camp

Marinos: Denies rumours of disharmony

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South African Rugby Union have dismissed reports of a rift in the Springboks team after their third successive Tri-Nations defeat.

Peter de Villiers' side slipped to a 30-13 defeat against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday to add to their two losses against the All Blacks.

After three matches, the Springboks are firmly rooted to the foot of the Tri-Nations table and hopes of defending their title seem to have evaporated.

Speculation over disharmony in the camp has also threatened to blight the run-up to their next match on August 21, but SARU have firmly denied rumours of a rift.

"I've been with the Springboks for almost three weeks now and can categorically state there is no rift in the management team," national teams manager Andy Marinos said.

Discussions

"In my various discussions with Bok coach Peter de Villiers, his assistant coaches Dick Muir and Gary Gold, as well as senior team members John Smit and Victor Matfield, it's never once come up that there are problems in the camp.

"For three weeks in a row we have not played well and made it harder for ourselves by playing with only 14 players on the field at crucial time during the games, away from home."

SARU recently had to release a statement to try and defuse controversial comments made by De Villiers, who implied that referees had favoured New Zealand in their two contests.

Although the governing body say that his job is not at risk, they are set for talks with De Villiers over the recent disappointing performances.

Review

"We normally review performances after a leg like this, and we will begin this week," SARU president Oregan Hoskins told the Cape Argus.

"We're concerned about the losses. We shouldn't change the personnel - in other words we shouldn't sack the coach."

"I'm not a coach. That's why I don't pick the team," Hoskins added when asked if appointing De Villiers to replace World Cup-winning coach Jake White had proved to be the correct decision.

"I wouldn't say he's best coach in the world, but I wouldn't say he's inferior to Jake White. I'd say they are on a par.

"My issue with the coach is his media comments - I think that detracts from his ability. That's where I'd like to concentrate."