NORMALLY, IF A player is asked to speak about their coach when they’re sitting alongside each other, it can be a little awkward.
Siya Kolisi isn’t normal when it comes to speaking effusively about team-mates and coaches, though.
The Springboks captain never holds back from praising those around him and so, when he was asked about head coach Jacques Nienaber on Saturday night, he delivered a resounding, glowing endorsement of the Leinster-bound man’s ability.
Nienaber will join Leinster after the World Cup and he could arrive with his second winner’s medal if the Boks can beat New Zealand in this weekend’s final at Stade de France.
Former Munster defence coach Nienaber was pivotal to the Boks’ success in 2019 and having taken on even more responsibility under boss Rassie Erasmus in the years since, he’s a driving force at this World Cup too.
It will be fascinating to see and hear what kind of impact Nienaber has on Leinster, given that he’s coming from a very different set-up. Nienaber will join Leo Cullen’s staff as the new senior coach, a job title previously held by Stuart Lancaster.
The way Kolisi tells it, there’s no doubt that Nienaber is going to be a hugely positive presence when he arrives in Ireland.
“I was 18-years-old, I was contracted with the Cheetahs and then I got out, I was able to go to Western Province and that’s when I met Jacques,” said 32-year-old Kolisi.
“I was turning 19 and him and coach Rassie used to come to the Institute, which is like an academy for Western Province. Eben Etzebeth was there, Frans Malherbe, a lot of other guys who play professional rugby.
“When Jacques and them came, it was normally the full-contact day, you had to show who you are. I remember every time they came, it was intense. I got to know him there already and then as I went on, he became my senior coach.
“One thing that I love about him is that he goes far deeper than what’s happening on the field. He got to know me, he got to know my family, he got to know my reasons why I do what I do.
“He speaks to us as a team, him and coach Rassie, they’re not encouraging us to tackle hard and all of that, we know what that is. He goes on who we are playing for, what’s driving us, and he knows my family. He knows my kids by name and he asks how I’m doing as a person.
“That’s why I can go and give everything for him on the field because he cares about the person. He cares about Siya from the township. He tries to bring him out of me every time I play.
“For the teams and especially in big moments, he sits and talks about each and every single player, he talks about our journey, and it’s so special to be known as a person, not just as an object or a rugby player.
“That’s what he brings to this team. The fact that he allows families to be around, how much he loves to see our kids running around… I know some teams are not allowed to have families but that kind of family environment is what he creates for this team.
“I’ve enjoyed every single year that I’ve worked with him. The tough times too, when he comes and calls me out, ‘Why didn’t you work there?’ He’s always honest.
“I can’t explain how much I’ve enjoyed it. It was tough when he went away [to Munster] for two years but when he came back again, we clicked.
“We didn’t have to learn each other again, him and coach Rassie just came in and changed things because they love their country.
“I know that wherever he goes, they’re going to be lucky to have him because of the amount of work he puts in, the detail he gets into, it makes life so much easier. All I have to do is just watch a screen and see the opportunities that are there.
“So he’s a special coach and a special human being, most of all, an amazing father and a great husband.
“We will miss him and I will always, forever, be thankful because I remember when I first met him, I couldn’t tackle. After that year, I had to learn how to tackle.”
Go on the dubs! Take that, "kingdom", or whatever ye call yerselves…
Well done Dublin great game.
Well done to the Tipperary minors and to the Dubs. Football just got interesting again!! :))
The jacks are back, well done Dublin fantastic team effort and thank fully we just edged a close game with Kerry.
Living as I do approx 3 miles from SAMs ancestral home I much prefer for the cup named after him to be temporarily resident in Dublin rather than Kerry. Well done the Dubs.
Well done to Dublin. They best team on the day & great comeback against us. To be the best, you got to beat the best
Bless the Dubs, O Lord we pray, keep them on their winning way. Bless the colours, worn with pride, from Ballybough to Stepaside. Bless the banners and the flags, not to mention all the gags. Bless Gilroy too, the uncrowned king, let his name around Croke Park sing. Bless Bernard Brogan in the square, kicking points from everywhere. Bless Cluxton too, that agile ace, who guards his goal with style and grace. Bless the man with all the go, the dashing, dauntless, Cullen yoo. Bless the fans, that faithful throng, keep their voices loud and strong. Bless next All-Ireland final day, be sure the Dubs will rule OK
Well done, damn ye!
McMenamin made some impact when he came on! Great performance by the Dubs, fully deserved to win! Coppers will be hopping tonight!
Gutted, but fair play to the dubs.They played to their potential, and we didn’t. Agus sin e.
Kerry will win I’d say, Dublin will be fair disappointed to come away with nothing, not even the minor!
What the hell was wrong with Cluxton? running down the tunnel and not joining in the celebrations and generally looking miserable after the match and in the hotel on the Sunday game…whats up there??
As much as I’d love a Dublin win, I think Kerry will be too clinical towards the end. Conditions have opened it up a bit though.
Gee Adrian!
Even from Kathmandu… I reckon you photo caption needs adjustment!
COME ON THE DUBS GREAT WIN