We expect football coaches to come and go according to the fluctuations of their team’s performance. Rugby coaches tend to be given more latitude. But it seems Stormers coach Robbie Fleck might be on thin ice with his franchise. He hasn’t had much time to get used to the head coach position, being thrust into the job when Eddie Jones decided to take up an offer to coach England after just 8 days with the Stormers. Fleck got the team through to the playoffs, but, if the old adage is true – he’s only as good as his last game, which was a massive thumping at the hands of the Chiefs at home. – David O’Sullivan
From Sport24
Cape Town – Western Province director of rugby Gert Smal feels Robbie Fleck did well in his first year as Stormers head coach, but refrained from commenting on whether the former Springbok centre will remain as mentor of the Cape franchise next season.
Fleck was named interim head coach of the Stormers for this year’s Super Rugby competition after Eddie Jones abruptly left to coach England in November last year.
The Stormers crashed out of Super Rugby after an embarrassing 60-21 home quarter-final loss to the Chiefs this past weekend.
In an interview with Netwerk24, Smal said Fleck did a commendable job in his first season as head coach, but was reluctant to confirm whether his role would be made permanent.
“We are busy with a process that will be very important for WP,” Smal said when probed on the matter.
Read also: Lessons from the master – Robbie Fleck to meet Eddie Jones
Smal though did admit the Stormers would need to improve “technically, tactically and even our fitness levels”.
“We’ll have to change our approach in order to beat New Zealand teams. They beat us with pace, good skills and even with their physical onslaught,” said Smal.
“We can no longer just depend on how big we are. They are just as big, if not bigger. We’ll have to be smarter.” – Sport24
Source: http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/stormers-coach-job-smal-stays-mum-20160726
