JAKE WHITE ISN’T the only highly experienced coach that Fiji brought into their set-up last month.
The South Africa head coach has called on his long-time collaborator and friend Gert Smal, who was the Ireland forwards coach when Declan Kidney’s side won the 2009 Grand Slam.
Smal was with Ireland from 2008 until 2013, earning very positive reviews for his work with the Irish forwards in that time, before returning home to South Africa.
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Smal and White worked together for the Springboks when they won the 2007 World Cup, and they have also teamed up with Toyota Verblitz in Japan, the Bulls in South Africa, and now Fiji.
White is aware that Smal has a big job on his hands if they want Fiji’s pack to be among the very best in the game by the time the 2027 World Cup rolls around.
They’re expecting a big test this weekend in what is just their third game with Fiji, as they take on Andy Farrell’s Ireland in Dublin.
64-year-old Smal will be plotting against a familiar face in the Irish set-up, with Ireland forwards coach Paul O’Connell having played under him in the South African’s time with Ireland.
Famously, Smal taught O’Connell and the Irish pack enough Afrikaans to decipher South Africa’s lineout calls when Ireland beat them in Dublin in 2009, much to the frustration of Victor Matfield and co.
Having previously been in cahoots, Fiji boss White says Smal and O’Connell will now be doing their best to outwit each other.
O'Connell and Smal at the 2011 World Cup. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
“I know that Gert will obviously try and outsmart Paul O’Connell, and Paul O’Connell will want to show the master that he’s learned some of the tricks,” said Smal.
“That’s the wonderful thing about rugby.
“I’ve worked with Gert all over the world. He was with me in South Africa. He went with me to Japan, to Toyota, he went with me to the Bulls. He’s now with me in Fiji.
“I’ve got no doubt that if there’s anyone that knows just how good and just how detailed and just how professional the Irish setup is, it’s him.”
White said it was important for him to get Smal’s expertise into the Fijian camp, particularly with big gains to be made around things like maul defence.
“To have him in the team meetings and have him sharing the knowledge and all the intricacies of what the players can expect this weekend is also a bonus,” said White.
“Gert has coached Ireland and South Africa. He’s a master in terms of – I’m sure Paul O’Connell will talk to you about how good he is and what he’s taught him – that sort of element that he will bring to the forward pack between now and the World Cup.
“He’s been around, he knows his oats, but one thing he did say to me, ‘Let’s not underestimate the fact that Ireland have been together with this group for a very long time.’
“The coaches have been together for a long time, and you could see in patches last weekend [against Argentina] the kind of return they’re getting back because of the time they’ve had together.”
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'Paul O'Connell will want to show the master that he's learned some tricks'
JAKE WHITE ISN’T the only highly experienced coach that Fiji brought into their set-up last month.
The South Africa head coach has called on his long-time collaborator and friend Gert Smal, who was the Ireland forwards coach when Declan Kidney’s side won the 2009 Grand Slam.
Smal was with Ireland from 2008 until 2013, earning very positive reviews for his work with the Irish forwards in that time, before returning home to South Africa.
Smal and White worked together for the Springboks when they won the 2007 World Cup, and they have also teamed up with Toyota Verblitz in Japan, the Bulls in South Africa, and now Fiji.
White is aware that Smal has a big job on his hands if they want Fiji’s pack to be among the very best in the game by the time the 2027 World Cup rolls around.
They’re expecting a big test this weekend in what is just their third game with Fiji, as they take on Andy Farrell’s Ireland in Dublin.
64-year-old Smal will be plotting against a familiar face in the Irish set-up, with Ireland forwards coach Paul O’Connell having played under him in the South African’s time with Ireland.
Famously, Smal taught O’Connell and the Irish pack enough Afrikaans to decipher South Africa’s lineout calls when Ireland beat them in Dublin in 2009, much to the frustration of Victor Matfield and co.
Having previously been in cahoots, Fiji boss White says Smal and O’Connell will now be doing their best to outwit each other.
“I know that Gert will obviously try and outsmart Paul O’Connell, and Paul O’Connell will want to show the master that he’s learned some of the tricks,” said Smal.
“That’s the wonderful thing about rugby.
“I’ve worked with Gert all over the world. He was with me in South Africa. He went with me to Japan, to Toyota, he went with me to the Bulls. He’s now with me in Fiji.
“I’ve got no doubt that if there’s anyone that knows just how good and just how detailed and just how professional the Irish setup is, it’s him.”
White said it was important for him to get Smal’s expertise into the Fijian camp, particularly with big gains to be made around things like maul defence.
“To have him in the team meetings and have him sharing the knowledge and all the intricacies of what the players can expect this weekend is also a bonus,” said White.
“Gert has coached Ireland and South Africa. He’s a master in terms of – I’m sure Paul O’Connell will talk to you about how good he is and what he’s taught him – that sort of element that he will bring to the forward pack between now and the World Cup.
“He’s been around, he knows his oats, but one thing he did say to me, ‘Let’s not underestimate the fact that Ireland have been together with this group for a very long time.’
“The coaches have been together for a long time, and you could see in patches last weekend [against Argentina] the kind of return they’re getting back because of the time they’ve had together.”
Fiji Gert Smal Ireland Lineout Nerds Nations Championship Paul O'Connell Rugby