Gert Smal appointed fowards coach

dc69

http://irfu.ie/283_12549.php?PHPSESSID=188c1eb62d2efa9fde88ea2574c5d1d5

The 46-year-old Smal has signed a contract for a three-year period to include Rugby World Cup 2011.

Smal joins coach Declan Kidney's management team having had a distinguished playing and coaching career in Italy and South Africa.

Married to Patti and with two children, Dean (14) and Tamarin (12), Ireland's new forwards coach was a noted flanker.

He represented Western Transvaal (1980-1983), Stellenbosch University (1984-1985), captained SA Gazelles (1984), SA Defence Force (1986-1987), Western Province (1984-1993) and the Junior Springboks (1986).

He turned out for the Springboks against the touring New Zealand Cavaliers in 1986, against a World Invitation XV in 1989 and a Serge Blanco World XV team against France.

He was denied further Springbok involvement due to South Africa's isolation from international rugby between 1982 and 1992.

Between 1986 and 1990 he was a member of the Rovigo club in Italy, as player-assistant coach, following which he was appointed to a number of key coaching positions in South Africa.

He held head coach positions at the Border Bulldogs (1998-1999), Western Province (2000-2002) when they twice won the Currie Cup and then with the Stormers in the Super 12 between 2003 and 2005, reaching the semi-finals in 2004.

In 2004, Smal was appointed to the South African team management as assistant coach to Jake White, during which the Springboks won the Tri-Nations championship in 2004 before being crowned Rugby World Cup champions in France last year.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney said of Smal's appointment: "We are delighted to get a person of Gert Smal's stature on our coaching team.

"He comes with a very impressive list of achievements at the highest levels in South African rugby, highlighted of course by his critical role as assistant coach when the Springboks won the World Cup in France last year."

Smal himself remarked: "I see it as a great honour to be part of the new Ireland management. I am really excited about the prospect of working with Declan Kidney, Paul McNaughton and the other management.

"Ireland has a strong squad of players and I look forward to working with them in the build-up to the next World Cup."

The remainder of the Ireland management team will be confirmed over the next number of weeks and will be presented to the Ireland players during the squad session which will take place in August.

MikeHoncho

This is good news.

zAbbo

Good choice, step in the right direction

Jello

Glad to hear this.

Jackz

yay!

thehighground

Sorry, couldn't help laughing at this:

"We are delighted to get a person of Gert Smal's stature on our coaching team." :D

theKramer

This was pretty much a done deal for ages. Good choice though

Anyone got any ideas who is in the running for the backs coaching job? I havent heard of any names mentioned other than Tony McGahan, who is now obviously not gonna take the job.

dc69

theKramer wrote: »

This was pretty much a done deal for ages. Good choice though

Anyone got any ideas who is in the running for the backs coaching job? I havent heard of any names mentioned other than Tony McGahan, who is now obviously not gonna take the job.

I would say its 100% Alan Gaffney,he will prob coach Ireland on a part time basis as Leinster will take up most of his time.

Stev_o

dc69 wrote: »

I would say its 100% Alan Gaffney,he will prob coach Ireland on a part time basis as Leinster will take up most of his time.

Dont think so he's part time with Scarries aswell dont forget i doubt he ll be able to juggle between 3 jobs.

dc69

Stev_o wrote: »

Dont think so he's part time with Scarries aswell dont forget i doubt he ll be able to juggle between 3 jobs.

Hes left sarries for Leinster this yr.

He will be a sarries consultant until august,then he is all ours.

il gatto

Impressed at the IRFU. Seem to be making the right choices at the moment. Gaffney is a cert for backs coach.

Stev_o

dc69 wrote: »

Hes left sarries for Leinster this yr.

He will be a sarries consultant until august,then he is all ours.

I know that what im saying is that ill doubt he ll juggle Leinster, Scarries and Ireland all in one

dc69

Stev_o wrote: »

I know that what im saying is that ill doubt he ll juggle Leinster, Scarries and Ireland all in one

Well I presume he wont coach Ireland until after august then,when he will only have Leinster and Ireland to worry about.Id place my house that he will get the job.