Fourie set for Japanese stint
24 Oct 2011
Jaque Fourie has agreed a short-term deal with Japanese club the Panasonic Wild Knights.
There have been reports linking the Springbok and Stormers centre to a move to Japan over the last fortnight. After discussions between the player and the WP union, it has been decided that Fourie will be released to play for the Wild Knights for the duration of their domestic season.
The 28-year-old will return in time for the Stormers’ Super Rugby campaign, that kicks off on 24 February. However, with the Japanese domestic season only ending on 5 February, it means Fourie will head straight into Super Rugby preparations with no break after a busy 2011, which included an extended Super Rugby season, Tri-Nations and World Cup tournaments.
Fourie is the second Stormers player to be sent out on loan to a Japanese club. Flyhalf Peter Grant is currently playing in his second campaign for the Kobe Kobelco Steelers, and will also rush back into Super Rugby next year. Springbok and Bulls scrumhalf Fourie du Preez and lock Danie Rossouw have both signed two-year deals with Japanese club Suntory Sungoliath.
This site has it on good authority that there is an opportunity for Fourie to make a permanent transfer to Japan after Super Rugby. Fourie will have the opportunity to experience Japan and their domestic rugby from October to February, and could be open to a longer deal.
By Gareth Duncan
278 Comments
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24 Oct 2011, 18:48 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-244:
Yes, I think we tend to forget wage budgets when we lose youngsters to other provinces. I’m pretty sure that WP has allowed Jaques his stint in Japan as a financial compromise to him leaving for more money elsewhere.
24 Oct 2011, 18:49 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-247: anyone of your chosing, SA or not…
24 Oct 2011, 18:52 pm
@David(David)-251: Maybe, as Morne (Pissant) said, his contract expirea at the end of this year so this may be part of the renegotiation concession.
24 Oct 2011, 18:59 pm
@fantasticbarnsmell(fantasticbarnsmell)-245: @PissAnt(PissAnt)-247:
Actually forget that.
I have been playing with the idea of changing our approach in this matter altogether.
I still firmly believe we need a Director of Coaching in SA Rugby looking after all national teams (U/19, U/20, Emerging Boks and Boks) as well as being the national co-ordinator between Super Rugby coaches.
His role will not be hands on so much, but ensuring the Bok coach gets as much support as possible from all feeding structures. And there is only one man in my view for this job.
Secondly, appoint a ‘coach’ or ‘manager’ for the Bok team. He can still be the main cookie in the jar but it has to be an individual with experience (obviously) but more importantly implementing a structure, game plan, style of play (call it whatever you want) so his management of players, skills in taking something from a whiteboard (and panel of consultants) and implement it practically in a live environment, and management of the media also being crucial.
But perhaps it is time to break away from the traditional ‘assistant coach’ mould.
Why not identify a panel of experts you require in the modern game (forwards expert, backline expert, defense expert, attacking expert, kicking coach, mental coach, skills coach, contact coach, fitness coach, etc) and then employ them as consultants only (no permanent contracts).
You then have the DOR and Bok head coach (manager) running the show on permanent contracts and then simply pull in experts on a consultancy basis?
Any ‘coach’ in the world under permanent contract with any other team can easily, with permission, consult with the Boks for short periods in their off-season.
It will keep ideas fresh, trends fresh, players challenged with new ideas all the time and get rid of damn routines and a sameness we so easily (and constantly) fall into and cannot get ourselves out of.
DOR and head coach (manager) are still held accountable for those they pull in and results achieved – but it is a whole different approach which the more I think about, the more I like.
Still need to get over my own pre-conceived criticism of such an approach though, but that’s just it – I think we should challenge ourselves more and think outside of the box – or think like there is no box…
24 Oct 2011, 19:02 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-253:
That was indeed the case.
Jaque (or his agents) negotiated a killer deal for him – best of both worlds.
24 Oct 2011, 19:03 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-254: Ok so it’s Heynecke for the DOR post, but then who for the “coaching’ position?
24 Oct 2011, 19:04 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-255: Good for them I guess……
24 Oct 2011, 19:15 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-254:
This something we’ve discussed over the years here and both of us realise that the DOR or DRC would be fighting a losing battle against the franchises. Although technically, SARU own the SA S15 Conference rights and has to approve the appointment of franchise coaches and ensure that the top 150 players are involved, the reality is that they’ve allowed the franchises to operate independent of SARU influence.
24 Oct 2011, 19:21 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-254: one question with the consultants… what happens if say you have your forwards coach who’s been working well with the guys, but suddenly he becomes unavailable for whatever reason (being without a contact, this is likely to occur at some stage), then you need bring a new coach in… would you not lose some of that continuity… would this not be a problem?
24 Oct 2011, 19:37 pm
We have the best talent available in this country. Our coaches are unfortunately very limited and like someone mentioned earlier, players are calling the shots. The Lions had that problem for years and as soon as Mitchell took over, the jano’s and co did not like this. JF is overrated and greedy and his integrity sucks. We need players in the Bok team that will die for that jersey again, JF is not one of them. Cheers Mossie, jy het jou naam weer met ‘n plank geslaan.
24 Oct 2011, 19:42 pm
@Loyal Lion(Loyal Lion)-260:
What Mitchel seems to have done is to develop a squad where nobody is sancrosanct. All the players are competing for their positions and need to prove themselves every game. The Boks under Jake and PdeV only had their senior players and reserves.
24 Oct 2011, 19:48 pm
@David(David)-261: That is very true. Mitchell has dropped jantjies, Francis and Jame when their form was lacking. Doppies even.
Loose forwards too,
That is a very strong positive about his management this year. It seems to have done the trick too!
24 Oct 2011, 19:51 pm
@fantasticbarnsmell(fantasticbarnsmell)-259:
Whatever knowledge, structures or ideas any consultant brings in won’t be lost once he leaves.
If the management (coach, DOR at the time) believes he should be involved on a more permanent basis for whatever reason – then make the guy an offer.
The thing about a consultant based approach is you never get stuck in a specific way of thinking or doing things – rugby is such a dynamic game which evolves on a weekly – forget yearly basis!
It is a case (for me) of keeping what works, forgetting what doesn’t without the fear of pissing off personalities or ego’s while doing it.
It will put a whole lot of responsibility on one or two people but in my view we already have that (coaches are first in the firing line when **** goes wrong).
But as David said above – the general idea is not new, some have been asking for this type of approach for years but this comes down to the fact of whether SA Rugby has the balls (or know-how) to do this – especially on the DOR front.
24 Oct 2011, 19:52 pm
@David(David)-261:
BTW, I’m not advocating a Strauli approach, but a squad of at least 30 players of equal, although different ability, who are competing against each other. The ABs only had two players who were guaranteed of starting and I cannot believe that the provinces and the Boks only have 15 standout players who are automatic choices.
24 Oct 2011, 20:06 pm
@David(David)-258:
And we keep on raising the same argument David and every year our argument is justified.
We need, as a country, start pulling in the same direction when it comes to rugby.
24 Oct 2011, 20:15 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-265:
I know, and that’s the frustrating part, isn’t it?
24 Oct 2011, 20:22 pm
@David(David)-266:
Indeed.
Where individuals are trying to work around problems you can solve we should be working around actual or real problems.
Problems in SA rugby should never be a problem to start with.
24 Oct 2011, 20:24 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-265:
Did you read that BBC article I posted here earlier? It shows what we’re up against.
24 Oct 2011, 20:33 pm
i see Joe Pietersen still in negotiations with wp….makes the shadow signing even more baffling~
24 Oct 2011, 20:45 pm
@grant10(grant10)-269: Much better player than V/D Heever. Really hope they can do the deal!
24 Oct 2011, 20:58 pm
@grant10(grant10)-269:
Not really, depth is vital in the S15, and a backup kicker even more so.
However, like you, I’d like to see some more strengthening of the pack. I doubt whether Rassie is blind to the weaknesses, but he knows better than us, who is available to solve the problem.
24 Oct 2011, 21:08 pm
@grant10(grant10)-269: @David(David)-271: I have no doubt that we will get news of some fatties being signed once the deals are concluded.
As you say, I’m sure he knows that we need a boost there….
24 Oct 2011, 22:30 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-1: Professional.
24 Oct 2011, 22:39 pm
The Stormers / WP have lost so many players who currently still play rugby over the last few years:
15 Joe Pietersen
14 Sireli Nquelevuki
13 Johaan Sadie
12 Gcobani Bobo
11 Tonderai Chavhanga
10 Brent Russell
9 Francois Hougaard
8 Robbie Diack
7 Francois Louw
6 Luke Watson
5 Francois Van Den Merwe
4 Ross Skeate
3 Brian Mujati
2 Schalk Brits
1 CJ Van Der Linde
JJ Engelbrecht
Lionel Cronje
Bolla Conradie
Sireli Nquelevuki
Justin Melck
JD Moller
Tony Brown
Naas Olivier
Gerrie Britz
24 Oct 2011, 23:44 pm
@au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-9:
deluded and denuded
good player, no more; vastly overrated.
24 Oct 2011, 23:47 pm
@stew(stew)-48:
considerably so, intentionally.
the Rule is an @ss but it is there for a reason why its there (to stop potential physical clashes) and the French knew this and this is WHy they did it, ie to provoke.
They knew they would get a Fine. Move on already.
25 Oct 2011, 07:25 am
@AVID FAN(AVID FAN)-13:
id go wuth that backline of urs for sure but lambie at 15 and goosen at 10, every team willl k a k themselves knowing we got 2 blokes who can knock that ball from 60m
25 Oct 2011, 10:47 am
@grant10(grant10)-240:
“farken players sommer ruling the roost”. You might as well be talking about the All Blacks too then!
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