MUNSTER HAVE TODAY announced the appointment of JP Ferreira as the province’s new defence coach after the South African signed a contract with the IRFU until June 2020.
The 34-year-old, who previously worked alongside Johann van Graan as part of the Springboks set-up during the 2016 November internationals, leaves Super Rugby side the Golden Lions where he held the role of defence coach and performance analyst for the last 10 years.
Ferreira replaces Jacques Nienaber following his return to South Africa with former Munster director of rugby Rassie Erasmus.
He is expected to commence working with van Graan and the rest of the province’s coaching ticket from next week ahead of the busy Christmas period, which includes Pro14 inter-pros against Leinster, Ulster and Connacht.
“We are delighted that JP is joining our coaching team,” van Graan said. “He is a great coach that has been very successful at Super Rugby level, getting his side to finals with an excellent defence record. He also has Test match experience from his time working with the Springboks during the November internationals last year so brings a great amount of knowledge and experience with him.
“I believe JP will fit in perfectly here at Munster and we look forward to his arrival.”
Ferreira, whose contract with the Lions was due to expire in October 2018 but was granted an early release following negotiations with Munster over the last few weeks, said:
“It is really hard to say goodbye to this amazing Lions family. I have been fortunate and blessed to have been with the Lions for ten years and have been part of ten Currie Cup and Super Rugby Competitions. There have been extreme highs and lows in these ten years of service, but nothing that I would ever regret. It has been an amazing time.
“I feel that it is now time for me to improve, grow and experience a new culture, team, environment and competitions. I want to thank every single coach, player and support staff that invested in my life at the Lions Rugby Company in these ten years. I cannot thank you enough.
“I’m really excited and am looking forward to this next challenge and chapter in my and my family’s lives.”
Ireland defence coach Andy Farrell has been working with the Munster squad again this week ahead of Sunday’s Champions Cup clash with Leicester Tigers at Welford Road, but Ferreira’s appointment now completes the province’s new coaching team.
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Top signing. Though I know little about him, he’s a perfect reason why the Lions have become number one in South Africa.
At least the right men are being sought after. Good enough for me.
@Gavin Mitchell: ‘Top signing. Though I know little about him’ – Great basis for your arguement…….
@Snotser Galligan: I follow people on Twitter who live in South Africa and are rugby fans like me. They filled me in on the details….
Quit being a smart arse.
@Gavin Mitchell: Sorry, didn’t realise you were quite the expert on him because you follow a few people on twitter… Perhaps if you based your opinions on your own informed experience and analysis then your opinions would be more valid. Making decisions based on what you read on twitter is ludricous! Look at Trump and his opinion from following Britain First on Twitter!!!!
@Snotser Galligan: It’s based on people I follow who are local sportswriters in South Africa, and are as I mentioned rugby fans.
Since when did that deluded idiot have any relevance with what we’ve been discussing? Totally different ball game. If you’re insinuating that Twitter revolves around someone like him, then you don’t know what the hell you are on about.
But of course, someone should give you a medal for pointing out a simple mistake in my opinion, wouldn’t you agree?
@Gavin Mitchell: Jesus read the first line of your post, you said that you know nothing about the fella but he’s the reason the Lions have done so well! You basically said you don’t have a clue what you are talking about!!
You’ve now said you based you whole opinion from twitter(!). I just drew the comparison of you basing your opinion from twitter and Trump basing his opinion on twitter and look how much of a fool he looks like! Comprendre!?
@Snotser Galligan: No. I don’t see any Comprende in that whatsoever, amigo.
I’m highly offended you would try to ridicule me even further by comparing my activities on Twitter with Trump. Newsflash. He uses Twitter to promote himself. I use it to read up on any articles that pertain matters such as in sport. Completely different.
I said I know little. That doesn’t mean I know nothing, genius. That’s why I relied upon information based on those I follow, because I only found out about him coming here like a week before this article came out. On Twitter.
Quit wasting my time and your own. Capisci?
@Gavin Mitchell: Look, I was only pointing out that your first post name no sense whatsoever (i.e. you said you know nothing about the guy but you have drawn the conclsuion that he’s the reason the Lions have become so good). Also making your own opinions from watching them perform rather than reguratating someone else opinion as your own from twitter is a far better basis for making an arguement. Probably best to show a bit of decorum and leave it be as you’ve start to make it personal, says al lot! Adios!
@Snotser Galligan: And I’ll finish it off with a little reminder to you of what the difference is between little and nothing.
Little – a small amount, size.
Nothing – Just plainly nothing.
Hasta la vista.
@Snotser Galligan: a bit snotty
Quite a young coaching ticket at Munster now, exciting times.
JP Ferreira comes from a team who have been punching above their weight in the Lions for the last few years. The Lions would have been keen to keep a hold of him with Ackerman having left.
While Ferreira is quite a young coach still, the Lions had the best defence statistically in the regular season last year, conceding the fewest points. His age profile should fit in well with the current coaching team too.
Name any Irish coach with a similar record or experience in defence to match Ferreiras’ Niall.
@Daithí O’ Donnabhain: Where did he get his experience? In his home country. How do irish coaches get experience? ……………
@Ro Molloy: France – Ronan O’Gara, Bernard Jackman. England – Geordan Murphy. Wales – Simon Easterby.
@Ro Molloy: Gerry Flannery and Felix Jones getting more and more experience the whole time and will learn from.the more experienced people in the setup
@Coco86: Mark mc call , Conor O Shea , Mike Prendergast , Jeremy Davidson , Michael Bradley
@Limón Madrugada: so could none of the above mentioned names be given the defensive coach job at munster?
@Ro Molloy: Maybe they didn’t want it? It’s also quite possible the same arguments are being made about Irish coaches in the countries they operate in! Who really cares so long as they get the best out of the squad? I would imagine JVG feels he as head coach could work well with this guy, in which case nationality wouldnt come into the equation. If our defence is top notch for the foreseeable future I think we will all be praising the young South African. Best of luck to him!
No Irish lads good enough to get any decent coaching gigs at home no?
@Niall Fe: What’s wrong with picking coaches from abroad? I don’t see that as an issue, Niall.
@Niall Fe: Unfortunately not at the moment.
@Niall Fe: I think Jerry Flannery and Felix Jones are Irish!!!!
@Paddy Heffernan: And Ian Costelloe and ROG continue to learn the trade abroad. Mark McCall is another. Getting foreign experience isnt a bad thing.
@Niall Fe: Irish Lads need exposure to coaching methods abroad. In particular to head coach at the provinces they simply have not the experience of being exposed to trending methods. I have commented here many times that the IRFU need to work on a pathway for Irish coaches to take advantage of the money in the Premiership and Top 14. The article here on Costello is a good example of how Irish coaches can develop. Mark McCall is the only Irish coach successful enough at club level in terms of consistency of winning trophies. Given that alot of attack and defence originate from the NRL and is picked up by Super Rugby teams and they build their playing staff from within. It makes alot of sense to hire from the SH. Lancaster being the exception.
Dont know if its a great fit but will find out in time, lions were always fairly clueless defensively, different kettle altogether in europe. Its a very brave move by munster to take on such a young ticket. Think fitzgerald is really stickin his neck out