Former kipper named new ERU coach
Maart and the rest of his coaching staff took on the club’s first game under new management against Quins-Bobbies Rugby Club in the Volcano Super Cup at Loftus Versveld on April 27 with QBR nicking it 41-37 right at the end. -
East Rand United Merlin League winning captain Alvandre Maart was recently named as the new coach of the club.
He has signed a one-year deal.
Maart, who hoisted the Merlin League cup in the famous come-from-behind win against Nigel in 2015, replaces Colin Lloyd who was given the reigns for the SARU Gold Cup competition, during which United finished with a 33.3 win percentage.
The appointment of the former scrum-half confirmed one of the worst kept secrets in local club rugby with Maart having also formed the shortlist of coaches to replace previous coach Stephan Nel.
This was before Lloyd was officially confirmed as the man to replace Nel.
Under Maart, Matthew Booth will be in charge of on-field technicalities, Jean Diemieniet will be the forwards coach, Monde Petela the backline coach and former Springbok prop Lawrence Sephaka will be the scrummaging consultant.
The new United mentor, 33, said: “I’ve brought in a new culture in the team and it’s quite simple: you come to practice, you play, you don’t come to practice, you don’t play.
“The bigger picture is obviously winning the league but we must first find a culture and an identity because without any of them, you might as well not play rugby.
“Another immediate focus is taking advantage of players’ potential and getting rid of external interference.
“I want to play a high tempo game so fitness and skill level will be very important for us moving forward, but feedback from the players has been very good,” explained the trainer.
FOLLOW US:
For more #hyperlocal news at your fingertips, visit Benoni City Times, Springs Advertiser, Brakpan Herald, African Reporter and Kathorus Mail
