It is skill and not the size that matters in rugby – du Plessis
View(s):By Vimal Perera
The Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) officially introduced Ravin du Plessis, Sri Lanka’s new national coach, to the national pool and confirmed that he will begin his assignment by leading training for the forthcoming Asian five nations division I tournament, which will be held in Sri Lanka from April 7 to 13.
Du Plessis has over fifteen years of experience and success in senior roles within professional rugby environments in New Zealand and South Africa. Prior to taking up the role of Sri Lanka rugby team coach, Du Plessis served as a National Coaching Coordinator for the South African Rugby Union, a Head Coach of the Griquas, Leopards and Eagles in the Currie Cup, a Springbok Technical Advisor for the 2003 Rugby World Cup, an Assistant Coach of the Stormers and Bulls – two Super 14 Rugby teams, a Director of Rugby for the Dubai Exiles RFC in UAE, a High Performance Coach for the Canterbury Rugby Union and a High Performance Manager and Coach for the Canterbury Rugby Academy International High Performance Unit in New Zealand and a Resource Coach for the New Zealand Rugby Union.
Asanga Seneviratne, while introducing Ravin du Plessis, said that the Union is committed to uplifting rugby in Sri Lanka. As part of this move, Ben Gollings, the world’s greatest try scorer and a successful character in Sevens Rugby will be Du Plessis’ assistant. Seneviratne said; “We expect Sri Lanka to win the Asian Five Nations Division I tournament and move on to the next level.”
Ravin du Plessis
Sri Lanka will also have the home advantage as the tournament will be hosted in Colombo from April 7 to 13. Du Plessis explained that it was not size that won matches but the playing the best. He elaborated his point by saying, “I come from among the best teams and not the biggest teams.”
“I know how to get there as I have been with winners and losers and saw them develop in the game of rugby. My focus will be on laying emphasis on fitness and technique which is the vital road to success.”
The Sunday Times queried Du Plessis on his experience with All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw during his time at Canterbury. The coach said it was all about paying attention and making analysis.
“Often I had to analyze how McCaw, the All Blacks captain and arguably the world’s top third row player, could possibly improve his already formidable game. What he had to offer from the association is the professionalism on and off the field and the commitment to train and play hard and be the best.”
Du Plessis said that he brings a wealth of experience as he was the technical director of the Crusaders and the assistant coach of the Bulls and Stormers who are Super Rugby teams. Du Plessis served as technical director for the Springboks at the 2003 World Cup and was part of the technical staff during three title-winning campaigns for the Crusaders, having previously been assistant coach at the successful Cape Town Stormers in his native South Africa.
Asked what he knew about Sri Lankan Rugby, he said that he knew they had a long history in the sport and were enthusiastic about it. “I would anyhow have to check on the skills and techniques before making further comments or plans,” was his simple answer.
Du Plessis was able to adapt and teach as necessary as he had the experience of moving down from high profile teams to the Dubai Exiles, a club in the UAE, and also helped Iranian Rugby. He said he hopes to coach players in each position so that they understand their own potential and then work together to function as an effective team.
“I want to make sure that they play smart rugby and that they play a style of rugby that suits the team and their strength.”
From being among high performers he opted to trade that in for a position with an amateur club, the Dubai Exiles, and moved from a winning culture to a teaching one.He took off the pressure and completed a master’s degree in Psychology and is reading for his PhD in a sports related study while helping see through Sri Lanka’s aims on the global arena.
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