Rugby
We are not going backwards, says new Blue Bulls boss Alan Zondagh
Thirty-nine years' coaching experience has brought him to this point so he's as ready as he'll ever be.
It is in that can-do spirit that Alan Zondagh, the Bulls' director of rugby, has accepted the considerable task of restoring the beleaguered franchise's bite, reputation and ultimately the supporters' faith.
Zondagh has been through the mill. He coached Western Province, Eastern Province, was the director of rugby at Saracens and has run his own high-performance centre for the past 15 years.
"I'm far better prepared than I was when I was director of rugby at Saracens. Experience comes with time. You only benefit from experience when you've learnt from your mistakes," said the coach. Zondagh takes over all rugby matters at the Bulls, with Pote Human entrusted with the job as head coach.
"I can assure people there will be improvement. We are not going backwards, that's for sure," promised Zondagh.
The franchise, however, has been in the doldrums. The only cups at Loftus are filled from an urn. "Even when people say they don't worry about a trophy you know what it's like. I've been through it in my career. Today you are a hero and the next day zero."
On the field he believes his predecessor John Mitchell left a sound legacy but it is off the field where Zondagh will quickly have to make an impact. The Bulls' have a salary bill they can ill afford.
SMARTER RECRUITMENT
Crucially, player recruitment will fall under his remit. "It's no use spending on 100-plus junior players and after the under-21 competition we don't know who can play Super Rugby. We can't hire and fire now but we will have systems in place so that we can find players who we think can play Super Rugby.
"I want young players to say 'if I want to play top rugby I must go to the Bulls. I'm not going to be one of 160 players who go there after school, I'll be one of a few.'"
On the field they are hoping to continue Mitchell's lung-busting training methods. "I understand what he was trying to do.
"That has always been my philosophy. I believe in high-intensity training. John tried to get them to stay on their feet, make the right decisions, and to show skill under pressure even when they are fatigued. They must play intelligent rugby. If we don't do that we are just going to be another team."
Much will hinge on his relationship with Human. "Pote is a real gentleman and I have a lot of respect for him. He was a rough and tumble kind of player and he doesn't take any nonsense.
"He likes discipline. You can't be professional without discipline. He has an open mind, understands the basics and will make sure that part of our game is 100%."
With former true blue Bok lock Victor Matfield turning down the opportunity as head coach, would Human command the respect of the players? "I don't know. But we have had a positive response after Pote was appointed," said Zondagh.
"That is in the past. The players know Pote and I know they will do anything for him. In any case, it would have been more disruptive to have a third new person in three years."..
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