The Bulls have announced that former coach Heyneke Meyer will be their new Director of Rugby.
The new structure at Loftus pretty closely mirrors what Western Province now have in place, with a “hands-off” director looking after play procurement, structures, strategy and the like, while the head coach continues to look after the day-to-day running of the team. Frans Ludeke will continue to handle the daily grind stuff, with Heyneke Meyer plotting another ten years of Bulls supremacy from his old office at Loftus. Frightening stuff.
Head coach Ludeke has also recommitted himself to Blue Bulls, signing a contract extension valid until the end of 2013.
The Lions have, of course, also appointed a Director of Rugby in Dick Muir, but it seems as if his day-to-day involvement in the coaching of the team will be a lot higher than is the case in Cape Town and Pretoria. The Sharks and Free State are still asleep, it would seem.
Maybe I’m being a little unfair here. I guess Rudi Straueli really was the first “Director of Rugby” appointed by an SA team, although with a different title. Certainly all the contracting of players and talent identification and stuff is done by Rudi. Then again, Ian Schwartz currently does that for the Bulls, so I’m not sure how much of his current role Heyneke will take over.
Well there you have it.
the sharks have been asleep the whole year, and i dont think a director of rugby appointment will be evidence that they have woken up, i dont think this trend will last to be honest.
How much input does a head coach have in who he wants contracted? and is talent identification left to one man?
@robdylan (Comment 1) :
I reckon there is a bit of a difference between a recruitment offices and a DOR
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 4) : good questions. I think part of the problem the Sharks have is that Strools and Plum don’t really talk to each other that much! It’s vital for the DoR/CD and head coach to be completely aligned in terms of vision and the way they want to play the game.
@Morné (Comment 5) : so explain it in your words, then, cos I’m not completely sure I get it.
Well to start off I am not well versed in exactly what Straueli does at the Sharks but the DOR role is more or less the following.
A DOR takes control of all playing structures within a union, this includes not only age group levels but also affiliated unions and clubs.
He has direct and ultimate power in setting up of structures and managing individuals in the procurement, management and coaching at each of these levels.
He ensures development and continuity throughout these structures and that there is a continuous flow from one level to the next, this will include senior team coaches working together with lower level coaches in player development, playing visions and game plans.
He ensures that each coach has all the tools necessary to fulfil the union’s vision in terms of development, talent scouting and procurement.
But also ultimately he has the final say in a lot of issues, not so much the day to day coaching of teams, but that teams and coaches works towards the vision and short and long term goals of the union.
If I can associate it to the business world he would be the national operations director of a company.
How I see it, Straeuli would work under the DOR as part of the system.
@Morné (Comment 9) :
Not the architect and manager of the system.
@Morné (Comment 9) : aha. So that’s where it falls flat. I don’t think he wants a boss
As i commented in the previous article. We are going to struggle through the S14 in 2010……… Please someone just disagree with me here….. Please…..
@SharksRTB (Comment 12) :
Wish I could…
Well I am not going to be all doom and gloom. In 2008 we had to sit and hear how the SHarks would struggle and Stormers were going to defeat all that came against them. The reality turned out very differently with the Sharks being the only SA team to make it to the semis and winning the CC. In 2009 the Sharks were touted to be the best team ever that would walk off with the S14 spoils and successfully defend the CC we all know what happened. So please every one write the Sharks off, it normally motivates them to do well!
@SharksRTB (Comment 12) : I can’t….not yet
@SharksRTB (Comment 12) : I’d love to, but I can’t. Not with a clear conscience.
That is exactly what i was afraid of…
@robdylan (Comment 16) : Oh great
you have just helped me make my mind up – getting the laptop instead of season tickets 
@SharksRTB (Comment 12) :
tell me who is WE and I might take you on as per your wish!!
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 14) :
Just listen to me.
This year I warned the Sharks fans that they are going to have problems, that the Stormers will do no better than their 2008 result and how the Bulls will be our best team!
@SharksRTB (Comment 12) : it goes ion cycles – we had bad year odds are that we will have a good one tnext year unless ….. the cycle is 2 years
@Morné (Comment 20) :
We cannot help that you got lucky in your predictions..
@Morné (Comment 20) : and your prediction for 2010?
Does my alias not give you any info on what I mean when I say WE?
Cmon man, Im talking about the sharks.
@Xmas Ice-Icle (Comment 22) :
Sharks will be there and there abouts, but I am really concerned with the coaching, the captaincy issue and the lack of depth at 10 and 12.
But dont expect a semi…
But like always, the Sharks will be damn tough to beat, let’s wait and see what the final squad looks like.
@Morné (Comment 25) :
The main reason I wrote the Stormers off this year was that I saw no plans to correct what went wrong in 2008 when they just missed out on a semi.
A lot of the Sharks success will hinge on this, whether they learn from the lessons of 2009…
@Morné (Comment 20) : Just as I thought my day could not get any worse
But to your post I will apply my “I don’t whant to see therefore I did not read” philosophy which I tried on Rob this morning
@SharksRTB (Comment 24) :
Your alias helps nothing here…Wes is WPW and he supports the Sharks..
You new around here by any chance? If you are – look at my avatar..its BLONDE, does THAT tell you nothing??
@Morné (Comment 25) : Have to agree whole heartedly with you on this one!
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 27) :
Hehe.
Look a lot of water still needs to flow under the bridge before we get underway.
Ludik and Alberts are massive additions to the Sharks, and if most first line players remain injury free and you choose the right captain, the Sharks will be damn tough to beat home and away.
@Xmas Ice-Icle (Comment 28) :
OH…and my avatar should also tell you, that I am not a man..
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 27) : I would go for season tickets .
thinking about buying myself just afraid it my not pass by the half
@Morné (Comment 25) :
Solution…get another import..I would go with Danny Boy…he can fill the depth hole at 10 and 12!!
@Morné (Comment 30) : Hoping that JS will be made Captain. I don’t know what last year was all about.
@rekinek (Comment 32) : That is normally my problem. Other half hates rugby and it is a real mission to get to go to stadium. Rob and Michael Marnewick helped me stax in 2008 as they got me freebies which my husband being brought up to take up anything Mahala produced the right results. 2009 I conned some contractors who have boxes, but 2010 will become more difficult as many contractors are being laid off so cannot expect them to give me tickets to their box. But fortunately, amongst my blogging I have managed to earn a merit, so at end of month I will be getting a bonus payment which I intend to buy season tickets, which obviously cannot be wasted
@Xmas Ice-Icle (Comment 33) :
More than player problems…
I reckon the Sharks biggest problem they face are the ego’s that currently run around there.
It is really strange but the Sharks are almost turning into WP rugby in that regard and take my word for it, that is not where you want to end up.
@Xmas Ice-Icle (Comment 33) : I second that!
I am off, bye.
@Xmas Ice-Icle (Comment 33) : sth for the ladies as a number of sightings would dramatically increase
(couldn’t help …
)
@Morné (Comment 35) : Pissant that is similar to what Plumtree said to the Witness in today’s article. So hopefully that changes this year. He basically said that in this season there was no competition for the jersey and the players new it, but this year with the contracting of new players no one will be assured of a spot in the team unless he can perform and continue to perform. Not quoting word for word but the jist is there.
@Morné (Comment 37) :
Tjorts!
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 36) :
Great Minds!
@Morné (Comment 35) :
True that, and I also think I have some sort of idea who the most evil Diva’s are!
The meaning of DOR is not consistent.
HM role should be to further cement the the rugby culture in place that he resurrected at the Bulls and hopefully not interfere with the coaching of the senior team.
Its hard to imagine that Rassie would have enough experience or personal authority for a strategic role like that. WP, needed to reward Coetzee for his CC campaign and sideline Rassie, so they made him DOR.
The Lions made Muir DOR because he needed a title that sounded more important than head coach. Also to disconnect him from the CC team so he could stay at the Boks.
@Morné (Comment 37) : cheers
@rekinek (Comment 38) :
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 39) : this jersey competition can also turn ugly if not managed properly.
Cherio!!!
@Xmas Ice-Icle (Comment 43) : women can scream just as well (if not better) i dare say
@Xmas Ice-Icle (Comment 45) : byyyyeeeee
Sharks need to buy themselves good “mind” and “motivational” coaches again.
“Laid back” is just about the worst defining culture for a professional sports team.
Cheers Morne!
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 39) :
I think I got all muddled up again! I think its time I went home my brain has stopped functioning. Sorry Morne! 
@rekinek (Comment 44) : Yes that is where I hope they get wise.
I finally read John Smits` book and I`m a little disappointed. The focus is on the bokke, he hardly mentions the Sharks.
Now I`ll probably never know what went wrong.
Cheers Ice and Rekinek need to go as well.
Cheers fyndraai, agree about the head doctors and the motivational speackers.
@Original Pierre (Comment 49) : What do you mean about “what went wrong”?
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 50) : cherio
@Original Pierre (Comment 49) : pity – i was looking forward to some sharks reading .
@Morné (Comment 35) :
That is one scary thought, not a “place” where I want the Sharks to be.
I’ve heard Plum will be in serious shit if the Sharks don’t make the S14 semis next year.
@robdylan (Comment 55) : i can tell you the entire team and coaching staff should be
@robdylan (Comment 55) : @rekinek (Comment 56) : thats fair.
@Salmonoid (Comment 57) : yes – agree.
So tell me, Sammy, what’s your take on the setup at the moment? You’re quite critical when I get negative… so are you full of enthusiasm for the new season?
here’s Meyer’s job spec, apparently:
High Performance – Manage and co-ordinate all coaching structures and services required to support the development of the game covering all the Blue Bulls’ professional and amateur teams including the clusters and clubs. He will also manage and co-ordinate other relevant aspects such as development, sports science/medicine, and related support services.
Game development – To support cluster and club coaches.
Training & Education – To present various specialised courses and clinics for coaches and referees.
@robdylan (Comment 59) : would be interesting to compare with Rassie’s or Dick’s.
but it is very widely drafted.
@rekinek (Comment 60) : definitely
@robdylan (Comment 58) :
Briefly.
Im far removed from the inner workings at the tank.
I am quiete hopeful for the coming season, obviously with a few provisions.
Funnily enough I look at a game we lost last year to give me hope for the coming season – the last game against the Bulls where we needed 4 tries plus the win to make the semis. If we can harness what went on in that game and build on it I think we will be on the right track.
If Alberts and Ludick are going to play it will be huge positives – we will have more go forward ball around the fringes and we will have depth. Ruan must himself settle in one position and only be moved if there is absolutly no other option.
The backline worries me, not the players but the plan with ball in hand – again thinking back to the S14 Bulls game shows that this does not have to be so.
I trhink we will have a better team than last year, a tougher draw though but can still make the semis.
Most importantly, and about this I know very little, and is something you and others have alluded to, and that is what are the team dynamics (family or not) and Im not sure that mentally the team is always where they should be.
And again, the backline with ball in hand still niggles away – it just doesnt want to go away.
@Salmonoid (Comment 62) : Fully agree with your statement
The dour nature of the Sharks play perhaps indicates that Rudi is in charge
@Salmonoid (Comment 62) :
bwahahaha
You said ‘go forward ball’
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 64) :
@wpw (Comment 65) : could he be Owen Nkumane in disguise?
@wpw (Comment 65) :
Hey Owen, thats where Alberts and Deysel come in. Prepare for the year of the rolling maul and pushover scrums.