Is it time to fire the coach?

Yet another sad outing by the Spanners Rugby Club as they went down 12-0 to the Internal league perenial giants, Ubumbo FC. This was the first game of the second-leg season in the Group A fixtures. The Spanners were a pale shadow of the resurgent Spanners team of the first half of the season as they struggled to show their flair and character that made them one of the best rugby playing side of the first round of the group stages.

Having won 3 of their 4 games in the first round group stages, Spanners topped the log and were dran in the Cup competition group of death with the Tornadoes, Cobras and Ubumbo, the top three side of the competition. As much as the Spanners were underdogs, they still produced sterlingperformances against these side and went down fighting. But last nite's game against Ubumbo was very dissappointing. Disappointing in the fact that the Spanners failed to capitalise on their territorial advantage, having dominated Ubumbo for much of the time. They also conceded two stupid tries due to poor defensive errors by the disappointing backline ( it may made me think of calling young and hard tackling Tchedu to the Spanners side). This was a combination of poor handling errors, missed tackles and lack of communication. Credit however must go to the forwards for their outstanding play, as they crushed their oppositon in the scrums and in the rucks.

After the loss, Coach Taru had mixed emotions. If ever anyone would come to ask for his head, then at least it has to be aftyer hearing his defense. As coach, i have a number of reason why i think we didnt win that game. Firslty i was missing about six regular starting players on the day, due to injuries and other varsity commitments, so the team didnt jel well together. Secondly, the season break seems to have affected the player's fitness as they struggled in the second half. I had a limited bench due to player unavailability. Finally, I think that the game plan i had in mind did not work as i expected bad weather on the night, so my players where not able to execute to the present conditions.I take the blame for that as i had misread the weather conditions.

One question needs be asked though? Should the board and management FIRE the coach? I say, no...please give me time to sort out my team's fitness and commitments. If i can select the best team i want from the whole pool of players i have available, then you can judge me from the results. A full stregth Spanners side can outmuscle any team in the UCT Internal League.