EP in talks with Marshall
9 Mar 2010
Eastern Province are negotiating deals with Justin Marshall and Gordon Tietjens.
The Kiwi pair are set to join before this year’s Currie Cup as the union hopes to qualify for the premier division of the tournament and then gain entry into Super Rugby as the Kings.
The former All Blacks scrumhalf joined Saracens for the latter stages of the 2008/09 season, but his performances meant Sarries extended his stay at Watford. At 36, the former Crusader may be past his best, but EPRU president Cheeky Watson said they are looking for certain types of individuals to re-build the union.
Tietjen is renowned as New Zealand’s sevens coach, who currently lead the IRB World Series title race. Watson couldn’t say in what role Tietjens will be used.
‘I can’t confirm whether they’re coming, as we are still in talks with them,’ Watson told keo.co.za.
The Kings haven’t been able to contract many top players or a director of rugby as they still haven’t been approved by Saru’s board to officially create the franchise in order to gain entry into Super Rugby.
The signing of Marshall especially would be a major coup for the union.
‘That’s why we also went for a guy like De Wet Barry,’ said Watson. ‘He’s been invaluable to us and to the players around him. We want other experienced players and coaches who can add value and equip people around them with the relevant knowledge.’
‘Having someone like Justin would beneficial to the union as a player and also in a mentoring capacity,’ Barry told this website. ‘Experience is always good.’
Meanwhile, Watson was hoping for a March deadline on the Kings decision, but with the Saru presidential elections set for 26 March the matter has again been delayed.
‘We are still in strong discussions with Saru on the matter,’ said Watson. ‘I’m very positive as we seem to be getting somewhere in terms of a time-frame.’
Watson couldn’t confirm whether the Kings would gain entry into the Super 15 in 2011 or 2012.
‘It’s still debatable at this stage,’ said Watson. ‘The discussions are at an advanced stage, but it’s still a sensitive matter as all the Sanzar partners have to be consulted.’
By Grant Ball
96 Comments
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9 Mar 2010, 14:29 pm
They should have gone for Gregan, not Marshall. Isn’t this the BEE franchise?
9 Mar 2010, 14:30 pm
Pissant
We bottled it …
9 Mar 2010, 14:30 pm
@WP Till I Die:
I can say one thing though – based on last night this competition is far from won…
@logie_Jumpbuck:
Pukke actually my second favourite team. Everyone in my family and most people I know are Maties supporters, been a Tigers supporter for almost 20 years now.
9 Mar 2010, 14:31 pm
@gunther:
Bliksem guy and how.
What 7 kicks flogged, 3 tries missed through piss-poor handling – one TMO going against us and allowing a Maties intercept try!!!
We gave it to them on a platter!
9 Mar 2010, 14:33 pm
All EP has done over the past 2 decades is develop talent only for other regions to poach it.
The plan, it would seem, is to get some senior players in which the younger guys would be willing to stick around for and learn from. Not a bad idea. Ex-internationals would also interest the fans…meaning more money at the gate.
All other options of keeping talent has failed. At least we can be thankful they are trying to get back into the CC. PE is one of the better/larger cities in the country and should have a team in each of the major sporting tournaments in the country. So lets hope they can get their act together.
9 Mar 2010, 14:33 pm
@PissAnt: any affiliations to Ikeys?
I’m supposed to be a NMMU supporter, but after last night i’m definitely looking to throw my weight behind another team.
9 Mar 2010, 14:38 pm
@katman:
Ha exactly.
Whats the point of bringing a 38 year old ex Kiwi player into a side that is supposed to be developing the local grassroot talent.
9 Mar 2010, 14:39 pm
@logie_Jumpbuck:
Other than living in CPT for most of my teen and adult life and doing the odd course there no…
9 Mar 2010, 14:40 pm
@John Galt:
I am fascinated how a guy aged two years in the space of 60 posts!
9 Mar 2010, 14:42 pm
@John Galt:
I suppose we should ask the same question of the Sharks (Andy Goode) and Lions (Spencer). What happened to developing local talent?
Can we throw the Stormers in that mix as well for poaching Habana and Fourie?
9 Mar 2010, 14:44 pm
@PissAnt:
Ah my apologies, he’s 36 and in the prime of his rugby playing life.
9 Mar 2010, 14:45 pm
@PissAnt: At this rate he’ll be at least 97 by the time the Super15 kicks off.
9 Mar 2010, 14:46 pm
@Wolf:
All the WP young talent gets bought by other unions, same as the Free State.
You can’t blame them, though. Free State can’t provide the same opportunities other unions can.
And WP? They’re just plain useless when it comes to age level teams. If I had R100 for every promising WP youngster who’s left the union because they felt frustrated due to lack of opportunities because of rampant nepotism at the WPRFU, I’d be rivalling Malema in nett worth…
9 Mar 2010, 14:48 pm
@katman:
His ego writing cheques his body can’t cash?
9 Mar 2010, 14:49 pm
@Wolf:
I think, when talking about the more established, wealthy unions, its a completely seperate debate.
9 Mar 2010, 14:51 pm
@logie_Jumpbuck: @56, back in 2000, I told Dr Strech that Kolie Brandt was outdated and that he sould be fired as a coach for UPE( NMMU), to my suprise I learnt at the launch of the Varsity Cup that Kolie is still the Head Coach, this guy was obsolete ten years ago, its now 20years later, FFS!!
NMMU deserve the unlubricated pounding they are getting and non of the top schools boys in the region want to go to NMMU, instead all the guys that couldn’t make first 15′s at school level, all flock to NMMU for a crack at Varsity rugga.
If there was ever model example of what being verkrampte means, look no further than Kolie Brandt is his boederbond buddies at UPE
9 Mar 2010, 14:52 pm
That’s quote enough from you iceman..
9 Mar 2010, 14:54 pm
i say look at the Warriors franchise…kallis, boucher, ntini, boje, prince all playing out of good old PE. Bring on Justin Marshall, he will attract the blogger Peter Mkata and his friends to the stadium…this wagon is moving, all those that want to climb aboard can, now or get left behind.
If okes want to be cajoled & patted on the back or want a “stereotypically south african” organisation before joining, then they can sit on the sidelines and throw stones.
9 Mar 2010, 15:00 pm
@Transformation:
Rugby on the move
9 Mar 2010, 15:11 pm
When I read the headline I thought “odd choice for coach” … Now that I have read the article I have to say “very odd choice for player”
I am a Crusaders, Canterbury and Marshall fan but I have to say that he is an odd choice for a mentor. I even felt a bit uncomfortable reading parts of his book.
9 Mar 2010, 15:14 pm
@Transformation: Ndithumele i email to kwezintwana zika Keo about the solution to the Kings/Spears, azikaphenduli. Its the perfect plan wonke umntu will be happy with
9 Mar 2010, 15:17 pm
@Wolf:
I think there is good structures in SA rugby to develop and bring the youngsters through the ranks. We have cravenweek, academies,u 19 privincial and national, and the Vodacom cup where youngsters can play , the reason behind the recruitment of overseas players must be to provide a more solid basis and obviuosly experiance, the S14 is all about big bucks. so it is understandable that the Lions for instance would rather get a spencer whos been there than just rely on Francis whome i am sure will be ready by next year.
9 Mar 2010, 15:17 pm
Also… South Africa now want 6 sides competing in the S14/S15/S16 ?
Should really work on getting 4 sides competing first
9 Mar 2010, 15:18 pm
What an odd article! It just doesn’t make sense.
9 Mar 2010, 15:20 pm
Watson couldn’t say in what role Tietjens will be used!!! Ok and then?
9 Mar 2010, 15:20 pm
@vasteses:
Yeah but Carlos is a show pony …. I don’t think Marshall would work the same way
9 Mar 2010, 15:21 pm
@chch – welcome back Carter: Hasn’t Marshall been pensioned?
9 Mar 2010, 15:33 pm
@XhosaKid:
I hear you. Played a bit under Kolie at UPE in the 93-94 era (same time Andre Vos did, before going to JHB).
Kolie was a useless laughing stock of a coach then – how the hell did he retain his job for so long? Since his arrival UPE (now NMMU) rugby has gone seriously downhill.
Unless Cheeky’s plans come to fruition Andre will be the last Springbok coming through their ranks.
9 Mar 2010, 15:41 pm
Say bye bye to Superrugby Lions & Cheetah fan’s. Hier kom die ‘Rooi Kats’.
9 Mar 2010, 15:46 pm
How’s this team from current players ex EP/Border/SWD. All I’m saying is that if these okes come out of those systems then one has to believe that there will be more to follow, which all augurs well for the future provided they can hold onto them. Add in the massive PD pool to draw from, and I don’t know why some guys are negative about the Kings- provided they get the backing and support they deserve. (I might be missing many since I’ve been away for 5 years)
15. Zane Kirchner (PW Botha, George/BullsS14/Boks)
14. Wayne Juries (Ep/BullsS10/CheetahsS14/StormersS14)Odwa(Umtata/SharksS14/Boks)and Akona Umtata/(BullsS14)Ndungane/Boks)
13. Tiger Bax (St Andrews/WP VCup)Earl Snyman (Outeniqua, George/SA Schools/CheetahsVCup)Dabeon Draghoender (Pe, Griffons/WP VCup)
12. Meyer Bosman (Oakdale Agric, Swellendam/CheetahsS14/Boks)
11. Luzuko Vulindlu (Greame College, Grahamstown)/SharksS14)Lwazi Mvovo (Transkei/SharksS14)
10. Lionel Cronje (Queens College/Stormers S14)Michael Killian (Muir College Uitenhage/EP/Lions S14)
9. Rory Kockott (Selbourne College/SharksS14) JP Joubert (Framesby, PE/BullsS14/CheetahsS14/LionsS14)Chris Jonck (Otto du Plessis, PE/LionsS14)
8. Ryan Kankowski (St Andrews/SharksS14/Boks)Luke Watson (Grey PE/StormersS14/Boks)
7. Dewald Potgieter (Daniel Pienaar, Uitenhage/BullsS14/Boks)Pedrie Wannenburg (Oakdale Agric/BullsS14/Boks)
6. Keegan Daniel (Dale College, KWT/SharksS14)/Chase Minnaar (St Andrews/Boland/SA7′s
5. Johann Muller (Oakdale Agric/ SharksS14/Boks) Nicolai Blignaut (Sterling High,EL?/Sharks VCup)Ligtoring Landman (Despatch High Sckool/Leopards CC)Marco Wentzel(Outeniqua,George/Bulls/Boks)
4. Steven Sykes (Marlow Agric/SharksS14/Boks) Dewald Senekal (Daniel Pienaar, Uitenhage/Pumas/Valke/LionsS14/ Overseas) Rudi Matthee (Otto du Plessis,PE/Lions/LuiperdsCC/Cheetahs VCup)
3. JC Janse v. Rensburg (Oakdale Agric/LionsS14)Michael de Nieuly-Rice (Grey High, PE/WP VCup)
2. Bandise Maku (Dale College, KWT/BullsS14/Boks) Simon Westraadt (Grey High PE/Griquas CC)
1. Musa Tukela (Qumbu,Transkei/SASchools/Blue Bulls/Tukkies)
And the above guys are all playing outside the region, so this list does not include any current EP, Border or Eagles players. Granted this team is very thin at prop and maybe flyhalf, but I count twelve Boks in there and 20 guys with S14 experience.
Imaginewhat they could do immediately for the Kings, together with what they already have available in the provinces.
I would hazard a guess they would probably klap the Rebels.
9 Mar 2010, 15:48 pm
@Oubaas2009: Go drink your Salusa-45…
9 Mar 2010, 16:09 pm
@Rum And Maple: and @Oubaas2009: tthere is a solution that will not results in the Lions and the Cheetahs missing out
9 Mar 2010, 16:11 pm
@catleya: well the trend is still continuing…
Lions sign top schoolboy stars
SA Schools players JP du Plessis and Siya Kolisi will play their rugby in Johannesburg from next year.
Du Plessis, who played centre for Paul Roos, was in danger of being lost to South African rugby after he was approached by Australian rugby league side Sydney Roosters in April. He will still go on a trial with the club in December, but it is likely he will return.
‘JP has signed with us as he has an escape clause with the Roosters,’ Lions coach Hans Coetzee told keo.co.za. ‘He’ll go over and make a decision after a month in Sydney.’
Du Plessis’ father Charl played fullback for Transvaal and is a current skills coach at the union – a factor that should see him return to South Africa in 2010.
Kolisi has represented SA Schools for two years and was the standout loose-forward at Craven Week, despite representing an under-performing EP side. Kolisi had originally signed with the Cheetahs, but the Bloemfontein-outfit’s contract was invalid.
‘We had showed an interest in Siya last year already and had approached him before anyone else,’ said Coetzee, the former manager of talent identification at the union before he took up the post of Currie Cup coach. ‘He was always interested in coming to us, but an agent from the Cheetahs asked me if we had contacted Siya, and I told him we had.
‘Then they tried to sign him, but at that stage he was only 17, so it was not valid.’
The Lions have gone beyond their borders to secure some exciting talent, which will be invaluable in future years.
‘In the past, I’m not sure how things were done, but now we are slowly but surely bringing better guys here,’ said Coetzee.
Along with the pair, the Lions have also kept Monument star Jaco Taute – who made his debut for the Lions’ senior side in the Currie Cup while still at school.
Lions’ junior contracts for 2010:
Enzo Venter (Affies)
Van Zyl Botha(Grey Bloem)
Robbie Rawlins (Rustenburg High School)
Jaco Taute( Monument High)
Louis Nel (Grens High)
Johan van der Hooght (Ben Vorster High)
PJ Uys (Monument)
Louis le Roux (Pretoria Boys High)
Lulama Mdozi (Pearson High)
Phumulani Kamanga (Marais Viljoen High)
Jacques van den Berg (Affies)
Vincent Scott (Monument)
Tusi Motoka (St Albans)
Andries Oosthuizen (Monument)
Vincent Jobo (KES)
Bernard Buchner (Marlow Agriultural)
Ulrich van Schalkwyk (EG Jansen)
Janus Jonker (Rustenburg High)
Gareth Topkin (Rondebosch High)
Siya Kolisi (Grey High School)
Jimmy Hughes (Monument)
JP du Plessis (Paul Roos)
Dale Sabbagh (Selborne College)
Nico Kruger (Monument)
Garth April (Florida)
Jacques Genade (Klerksdorp High)
Jason Hofmeyer (Monument)
Siya Mteto (Pearson High)
JR Esterhyse (Paarl Gym)
Morne Erasmus (EG Jansen)
Reynard Heyndenrych (Affies)
Francois de Klerk (Waterkloof)
Pierre Lombard (Waterkloof).
By Grant Ball
This entry was posted on Friday, October 9th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
9 Mar 2010, 16:21 pm
How’s this team for a starting lineup?
15. Kirchner
14. Akona Ndungane
13. Meyer Bosman
12. De Wet Barry
11. Lwazi Mvovo
10. Lionel Cronje
9. Rory Kockott
8. Ryan Kankowski
7. Dewald Potgieter
6. Keegan Daniel
5. Johan Muller
4. Steven Sykes
3. JC Janse van Rensburg
2. Bandise Maku
1. CJ vd Linde- buy him just for the hell of it!
9 Mar 2010, 16:28 pm
You can highlight Louis Nel (Grens) and Bernard Buchner (Marlow) as well.
9 Mar 2010, 17:27 pm
@catleya: not forgetting lubabalo mjekevu & siyabonga ntubeni who were offered bursaries to finish their high school at KES, from Selborne & Dale respectively…both were SA Schools reps.
9 Mar 2010, 18:20 pm
Argentina playing Tri Nations in 2012. Will it become Quad Nations?
9 Mar 2010, 18:32 pm
@Transformation: Sounds like you’re closer to home than me. What is your take on all this?
9 Mar 2010, 19:04 pm
@catleya: it’s all building blocks towards getting to the Premier division of Currie Cup, last month they signed Rory Duncan former captain of the Cheetahs and another player from SWD (forgot his name now), but as they say in isiXhosa ungabokhwaza ungekaphumi ehlathini (don’t shout until you’ve cleared the woods)
9 Mar 2010, 20:07 pm
yes, good move- another hometown bot ex Grey returning home.
9 Mar 2010, 20:22 pm
the problem with UPE is they want to tranform to quick…the black players in the team is hond k@k ..trying to fill the quotas …the white guys play for Despatch etc … … No afrikaans guy is “allowed” to play for UPE…. reverse apartheid.
9 Mar 2010, 20:24 pm
and its a fact…. nothing to do with Kollie … he sits with k@k players …. Despatch, Police, Progress etc all klap UPE by 50+ in club games … all young oukies 25 and under.
10 Mar 2010, 01:30 am
Somewhere else it has been reported that Pote Human will coach EP.
10 Mar 2010, 07:48 am
@dWeePer: Now that makes a whole lot more sense, doesn’t it? But if he is wise he will retain Corne Korff as backline coach.
10 Mar 2010, 13:45 pm
Justin Marshall at 36! I’m pretty sure Cheeky could find someone else with a bit more gas left in the legs than Marshall.
10 Mar 2010, 15:46 pm
You know. There are more than just the ‘money’ attracting EP players away from EP. In fact, the biggest factor would be University/University of Technology and the rugby ladder they can climb there. Yeah, teams exist at NMMU etc, but the ladder comes up way too short.
That’s why everybody is telling EP: get your structures right!
Good idea to get influential experience in, but Marshall? *sigh*
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