Rugby

Paul Treu set to leave Stormers coaching job for more senior post

06 January 2019 - 00:00 By LIAM DEL CARME

The continued uncertainty over the make-up of the Stormers coaching structure drags on but it seems certain assistant coach Paul Treu will no longer form part of it.
Treu last year complained of discrimination at the franchise and although a Western Province-appointed independent investigation found that there was none in his case, the matter continues to fester.
Although the investigation found against Treu, the report found that Western Province fell short of the country's employment equity laws.
While they boasted that their teams met the prescribed targets set by SA Rugby, the union's top decision-making positions are still all occupied by white males.
Moreover, Allister Coetzee remains the only black coach to have held the top position in Western Province's 136-year history.
Had the Treu matter been resolved as was claimed by the franchise last year, they would have finalised their coaching structure before the December recess.
The Sunday Times understands Treu will no longer be part of the team's coaching structure and is earmarked for a higher position, potentially reporting to the franchise's director of rugby, Gert Smal.
The scope of the job, and indeed the title, are yet to be determined.
With the start of the new season fast approaching, the Stormers will be desperate to finalise their coaching structure.
They look set to continue with under-fire coach Robbie Fleck still in charge - but his position is far from secure given the team's underwhelming performances last season.
Apart from the Treu affair, Fleck is also under pressure from within.
Western Province coach John Dobson won many admirers for his team's performance in last year's Currie Cup. He will almost certainly be the Stormers' next coach.
There is also uncertainty over the future of assistant Paul Feeney, with whom Treu clashed last year.
Feeney is said to have stormed out of the coach's box during a match last year. His role may also be revised to incorporate a more general role in the franchise rather than its current distinct focus on the two elite teams.
The franchise is expected to make an announcement this week...

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