NAIROBI, Friday, February 21, 2014
Venter talks to impalasaracens.com
Brendan Venter, world cup winning Springbok and legendary coach of London Irish and Director of Rugby for Saracens visited Kenya last weekend and spoke, earlier in the week, to former Kenya international and Impala scrum half, Fred Ollows. We bring you the first of the two-part interview…
IMPALA: Brendan, welcome to Kenya and apologies for the heavy schedule… Briefly describe your rugby playing career?
VENTER: Thanks Fred. Anything for Rugby… I have been a Springbok. I played 17 times for the Boks. I also played 125 times for the Cheetahs. In the forming years, I played for the South Africa Schools and the Junior Springboks.
Let me mention too that I went to a rugby school, Monument High School and was also player-coach for the English Premiership side, London Irish. I definitely enjoyed my playing career.
IMPALA: How about your experience in coaching?
VENTER: I have had some successes on the coaching front. I went to London Irish as player coach, in 2001. Many had considered us a relegation outfit but by the end of the first season, we had beaten the Northhampton Saints to clinch Powergen Cup – a knock out competition, had reached fourth place in Zurich Premiership, semi finals of Parker Pen Shield and qualified for the Heineken Cup.
The Powergen Cup remains London Irish’s most important trophy, todate.
I had a three month stint with the Sharks Currie Cup team where we pulled off what many, except us, consider a surprise win against Western Province last year. Naturally, I have been in charge of the Saracens (UK) that has a Premiership under its belt (and is doing very well, at the top of the table, at the moment). But I have also coached the SA Under 20 that won the IRB Junior World Cup in 2012 beating the NZ Under 20, for the first time.
IMPALA: You watched three Resolution Impala Saracens sides last Saturday. What were your impressions of the Impalas?
VENTER: My coming to Impala Saracens was timed to perfection! This allowed me to meet with the whole Impala technical team, agree some broad principles and watch the three Resolution Impala Saracens teams play.
First, I must say that I am impressed with the general standard of play. I didn’t know what to expect. We only are aware that there’s a good level of sevens rugby played in Kenya.
The first (Bucks) game was a (Nationwide – Nairobi Region) decider match. It had all the ingredients – intensity, big hits, big runs and so on.
Our young Bucks side played with a lot of heart, were fearless and were quite organized in defence. I could see that they are a really young side confirmed by the fact that nearly all were playing in their first season. The score (05-32) run away from them but they never stopped playing.
The second Impala Saracens (Boks) side was the real disappointment. Many of the players lacked any real passion or desire. The effect is that those who were giving their all finally got worn out. The role of the second side is to press for places in the first side. They must continually pressure for positions both in matches and at training.
I was pleasantly surprised by the ability of the Impala Saracens side. First, (fly half) Nato (Simiyu) has the full set of skills to play no. 10 in professional rugby. His vision, positioning and game management match the best fly halves in the world. I thought you told me he doesn’t kick too well? (Chuckles). I only saw two bad ones…
The front row (tighthead Duncan Mwangi, loosehead Ezekiel Chege and hooker Kelvins Karani) is outstanding! Felix (Okari, openside flanker) has dazzling feet and Duncan (Ekasi, no. 8) carries the ball well. Joel (Omer, blindside flanker) didn’t impose himself as much as he should but I learn that he’s just getting back from injury.
In all, I can’t believe this team has lost so many matches. But, if I were to extrapolate from that one match, the team must raise its belief and energy levels. The team must consider mediocrity its number one enemy. One can be forgiven for playing poorly because they lack the ability. It’s quite another thing to be average when one’s natural talent is far from it!
IMPALA: What about the opposition?
VENTER: USIU-A is definitely playing below its league. They understand the game very well and have damn good players at lock, inside centre and openside flank. They play with physicality and skill. They’re capable of playing higher level in Kenya but they didn’t appear as fit as they should be. They probably haven’t had to work as hard because of the level at which they’re playing.
The Bulls second side was really impressive. They aren’t that big but one could sense their determination right up to the stands. They were organized in defence and hungry in attack. They scored one of the most glorious tries I have seen in the game. They started with a scrum deep in their red zone with the ball going through nearly all hands across and back the field for a centre post try.
Other than a loss of intensity in the last quarter, the Western Bulls topside has a very well balanced side. They are very strong on contact and enjoy the running-offload game. Their inside centre (Tyrese) Kuya is a gem. They took really long to break down and I am not surprised that they beat us last year.
