South African Rugby
De Villiers unhappy with backroom staff
Scrum.com
April 22, 2010
Springboks coach Peter de Villiers talks to the media, South Africa press conference, Sheraton Hotel, Perth, Australia, August 26, 2009
Peter De Villiers is unhappy with his support network © Getty Images
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The South African Rugby Union (SARU) has confirmed that Springbok coach Peter De Villiers is unhappy with his management staff.

During a review of the Boks' management and performance prior to the new Test season De Villiers raised concerns that he received inadequate support from the backroom staff.

"I am the boss of the Springbok team, and I have a support staff around me who were appointed to support me. But I feel that some of them have not been supporting me," he told The Mercury. "I have lots of evidence of this, and have already spoken to my bosses at the South African Rugby Union about it. They told me I must just give them the names, and it will be sorted out."

De Villiers was angered by reports circulating in the press that his captain and vice captain, John Smit and Victor Matfield, and assitants Gary Gold and Dick Muir were in charge during last season's series win over the British & Irish Lions and the Tri-Nations, but SARU national teams manager Andy Marinos has maintained that there are no plans to wield the axe.

"Peter will discuss his plans for the coming season with his management when they gather next month as part of a re-focusing exercise, when his expectations of them will be repeated," he said. "It is imperative that we leave no stone unturned in the preparations for the 2011 Rugby World Cup and that we cover all bases to ensure that all involved have a common dedicated focus. There are currently no plans to replace any member of management. In addition, consultants may be called in from time-to-time to assist in specialist areas, as they have in the past."

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