Former Bulls flyhalf, Morne Steyn, has revealed why he joined the Lions as their kicking consultant and not the Pretoria-based franchise. Steyn sent shocked waves through the rugby world last week when he was announced by the Lions as their new addition to their technical team.
He says a change in plan from Bulls Director of Rugby, Jake White, resulted in him moving to Johannesburg.
“I spoke to the Bulls and was supposed to start in August with the juniors, because the senior team do not want me as a kicking consultant or coach,” Steyn told the media. “And behind the scenes, I heard Jake didn’t want me there anymore. He had other plans,” added the former Springbok number 10.
White has made drastic changes to his coaching staff after a disappointing quarter-final exit in the United Rugby Championship last season, recruiting the likes of Gary Gold and former Cheetahs flyhalf Kennedy Tsimba.
However while Steyn wanted to stay in a kicking coach capacity, having retired from professional rugby, he revealed that it was not an option.
“The Bulls haven’t had a kicking coach since [current France kicking coach] Vlok Cilliers left, so it is a new thing.
“Maybe in the next year or two, Jake will look at it, but at the moment I don’t think he wants a kicking consultant or coach there. Chris Roussouw [Bulls assistant coach] is at Loftus – so he is doing a lot of the kicking game and is helping some of the guys.”
Currently, the former Springbok is making the most of a two-year contract with the Lions where he will be part of training sessions, but not matchdays or tours.
“With me being a consultant, I come in three times a week during pre-season and then two times a week during the regular season.
“It is all about getting the guys on the training field, putting the work in every day and helping them with new drills and things they are not used to,” Steyn said.
“Guys like Jacques Fourie [Lions assistant coaches] and Ricardo Laubscher will cover the coaching aspect and I will sit in with them and give my opinions. It’s not like I’m just going to teach them to kick and leave, I will play a part in the whole kicking game. I signed a two-year deal so as the years go I will see how my role will change,” he explains.
Written by: Ntsako Mukhari
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