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Cape Town - John Mitchell, who is set to leave South Africa to coach the USA's national rugby team, has highlighted flaws in the current South African game.
READ: Why Stormers snubbed Mitchell
READ: Politics in SA rugby made Mitchell leave
New Zealand-born Mitchell was earlier this week named head coach of the USA Eagles for the next four years.
Mitchell, a former All Blacks, Western Force and Golden Lions coach, was recently linked with the Stormers head coaching role,
but the Cape franchise eventually opted against hiring
him.
The Stormers had initially appointed Eddie Jones
as their head coach, but were then forced to look
for a new mentor when Jones left for the England
head coaching job.
The Stormers eventually appointed former
backline coach Robbie Fleck as interim coach.
With Mitchell now lost for South African rugby,
he left a powerful message for those in charge.
“It is challenging times here (in SA).
They are a global model as well, they are
professional in title, but I’m not so sure whether
they are that (way) in preparation and delivery,”
Mitchell told New Zealand'sRadio Sport.
“And somebody needs to show leadership about
changing the attacking mindset to create a
higher probability of scoring. I see that as the
leadership that’s necessary.
“For us as New Zealanders and as coaches, it’s a very
easy thing to coach, but here it is far more challenging.”
According to Mitchell, his former team is getting it
right under the guidance of Johan Ackermann as
head coach.
“The Lions have shown that approach over the
last six years and it’s starting to show the
benefits of changing that mindset.
“So there is an example in front of their faces,
but not too many of the other franchises know
how to go about it at the moment which is worrying.”
