Alan Solomons to leave Cheeky & Puke

Solomons wants to part on 'positive note' 02 August 2013, 09:59
 

Southern Kings Director of Rugby Alan Solomons does not believe his imminent departure from the franchise will negatively influence his side ahead of their vital Super Rugby promotion/relegation match against the MTN Lions on Saturday.

Solomons recently announced that he will be leaving Port Elizabeth to take up the position of head coach at Scottish club Edinburgh. In an interview on Boots & All on Thursday evening he was adamant, however, that he will be fully focused on this week’s crucial clash at Ellis Park.

“This is going to be the farewell game, and we – all of us - would like to part on a very positive note. My total focus is on this job and will remain on this job until the final whistle blows on Saturday. Then after that I can turn my attention to Scotland. I wouldn’t have it any other way,” said Solomons.

Solomons, who has been involved with the Kings franchise since its inception, also feels that he leaves the Eastern Cape set-up in a healthy position.

“They asked me to coach this side in the inaugural match on the 16th of June, 2009 here against the British & Irish Lions. I’ve been involved with the franchise since then. I started my contract in June of 2010, so I’ve given a fair amount to this franchise. I’ve (also) received a huge amount from it. It’s been a fantastic experience, and I want it to end on a good note.

"You can just look at the quality of our rugby improving. We won the Currie Cup Division 1 in 2010 and 2012. In 2011 we won the IRB Nations Cup, beating sides like Georgia and Romania. Our entry in Super Rugby I also believe was successful. There is also the establishment of our academy under Robbie Kempson, which has been absolutely massive. It is basically local content, with transformation at the forefront of it.

"We also developed great structures. We’ve got a great performance analysis department, a great medical department, a great strength and conditioning department and a great coaching department. I think a lot has been achieved.”

Click on the video below for the full interview:

Would it not have been better to wait until after the Kings final match to make this announcement?

 

Maybe dropping Puke for some of the matches did not go down well with Cheeky. 

 

Odds stacked in Lions' favour 02 August 2013, 15:54
 

With the first leg of the Super Rugby promotion-relegation match under their belts, the MTN Lions go into the second and deciding game, against the Southern Kings as favourites at Ellis Park on Saturday.

The Johannesburg side's victory last weekend was a far cry from a walkover and, taken at face value, a battle of attrition could be expected this weekend.

The Lions, though, will not only be buoyed by the fact they beat the Eastern Cape franchise away but also by the overwhelming support of a sold-out, home game.

"We've been through a tough year but, for us as players, to get a full house mean something. It means that we've done something right,” said Lions captain JC Janse van Rensburg.

"At the beginning of the year we said we wanted to play a brand of rugby the fans would enjoy and this is a brilliant testimony that the fans are enjoying how we play.”

The odds were swinging further in favour of the Lions after the Kings suffered a number of setbacks this week.

The revelation that director of rugby Allan Solomons would be jumping ship after the match, to take up a position at Edinburgh in Scotland, did little to reassure their fans about the Kings' chances of retaining their place in Super Rugby.

To add fuel to the fire, reports emerged that four star Kings players had already signed contracts with the Bulls.

While these reports could turn out to be pure speculation, it would be damaging to the Kings' confidence ahead of a high-pressure match in front of a hostile crowd.

The Kings had also lost the services of injured flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis, while Lions pivot Elton Jantjies had made a promising return for his side after a stint with the Stormers during the 2013 Super Rugby season.

Jantjies had a lacklustre season in the Mother City, but his homecoming for the Lions last week was encouraging. He showed glimpses of the player who made his debut for the Springboks in September last year.

The Lions captain said Jantjies appeared to have regained his confidence and looked happy to be back in Johannesburg.

“Elton is a special player and we know how to handle him. He is a great team guy – in the morning he gets here with a big smile so it looks like he is really enjoying it here and enjoying our style of rugby,” said Janse van Rensburg.

“Rugby is all about confidence and as soon as he took that first kick on Saturday, I just knew Elton was back.

A loss for the Kings would be the end of their fairytale, while it would put an end to the Lions' year-long nightmare.

Lions coach Johan Ackermann said the match result would be a travesty either way, as neither team would take pleasure from the situation facing the losing side.

“Whoever is on the losing side will have to start again," Ackermann said.

"They will have to try and get a young team going until they get the opportunity to get back in Super Rugby. It will be tough for either union.”