Just in, Ian Macintosh Passed away.
Legendary Natal coach, unfortunately, not so great for the boks but was a visionary.
Brought in the likes of Teichman, Honnibal etc
Never forgotten for his service to SA rugby as a whole
RIP. I was a huge fan. One of the reasons I became a supporter of Natal rugby.
Ian Mac was a great personality and respected and loved by the players that played under him.
I remember once when I asked Pieter Muller and Jeremy Thomson about him once and both of them told me. Incredible man who was gifted unconventional insight to rugby winning strategies and Pieter said the best ever he played under.
Why he was unsuccessful with a national side, unlike the huge success of the Sharks, was probably the difficulties coaches have in transformation to players they know to other players they don't know so well and I believe he was not given sadly enough time, before Luyt axed him.
Ironically when Kitch took over, he partly inherited some of the work planted by Ian, not to discredit Kitch because he too was one of the best but a lot of rugby critics will not see this.
Sadly missed, a humble and great spirited person...an ex Rhodesian.
You hit the nail right on the head Saffex, that was what Pieter Muller commented on.
Ja, I would never forget Ian's dear in the head lights look on the side lines when his team was under pressure. Wonderful character and always great to listen to.
Can't believe he was 84, thought he would be around 70, now, but then again, Jake has just pushed passed 62. Time flies.
Ja, I think as for Macintosh game plan, it came across as crash ball rugby, but he was trying to get the player to play flat. That is why Honiball was so valuable and these were the same players that gave Mallet the 17 run unbeaten streak.
He laid the foundation for SA. I remember Murrey Mexted talking about Frans Steyn and how SA flyhalves always sit in the pocket. It was hard to get them to play on the gain line.
James Small, Teichman, Le Roux, Mark Andrews, Hannibal, Pieter Muller, Stefan Terblanche were all players that came through Ian's coaching.
The sharks will be hard pressed to find such a coach again.
Don't forget Juba (Andre Joubert) , as Joel Stransky,Dick Muir, Wayne Fyvie and John Allan and Les Bleus player Thierry La Croix too.
Used to bump into Ian Mac often at the local Spar after he retired. Always friendly and humble.
Come to think of it, haven't seen him for quite some time, maybe he was ill. Hillcrest ( Upper Highway) area was residential home to quite a few Shark players.
RIP
. RIP. He seemed like a genuine good man
RIP Ian Mac.
Ian's Memorial Service at Kings Park this coming Wednesday at 5 pm, gates open at 3.30. Sharks fans and friends welcome to show their respects to this great man.
Ian McIntosh's family invites Sharks fans to Kings Park for 'celebration of life' | Sport
Ian Mac is a saved believer and so are many Sharks players of past and present. Beast, Pat Lambie, Keegan Daniels to mention a few.
He now certainly is in peace, well done my beloved servant.