Lions axe coach Eloff
May 27 2009
In the wake of another disappointing Super 14 season, the Golden Lions announced on Wednesday that Head Coach Eugene Eloff has been relieved of his duties ahead of the clash with the touring British and Irish Lions.
"The Golden Lions Rugby Union felt that it was vital to have a complete audit on the whole system and structures within the Union, and therefore invited Jake White's Winning Ways (Pty) Ltd to do this audit," read a statement.
"It immediately became apparent that in order for the GLRU to move forward, they would have to make immediate changes to allow for a proper build up for the British & Irish Lions game and the 2009 Currie Cup.
"For these reasons a meeting was held [on Wednesday] with Mr. Eugene Eloff, and he was asked to stand down as the Senior Team Head Coach with immediate effect. Mr. Eloff will be re-deployed within the structures of the GLRU.
In the interim, Hans Coetzee will take over the reins of Head Coach. Coetzee is a former Lions' Craven week, SA Academy and SA Schools coach.
But the players are not happy with the decision, with a number of them apparently walking out in protest at the decision and saying they would not train under new coach Coetzee, according to The Star.
The same players have stated they may boycott next Wednesday's clash with the touring British and Irish Lions team.
Whatever transpires there, mass departures now seem to be a given. Ernst Joubert and Anton van Zyl have both departed already, to Saracens and Western Province respectively.
Jaque Fourie is in talks with Clermont for the next NH season, and Willem Alberts, Louis Ludik and Jano Vermaak are all considering their options in the wake of Wednesday's drama, having "lost faith" in the union.