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The Citizen
a day ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Ackermann says he's ‘not different, only more streetwise' since his Lions days
New Bulls coach Johan Ackermann says he is not a different coach, but a more streetwise and experienced one than he was before. New Bulls coach Johan Ackermann said he has become more 'streetwise and experienced,' learning about player management and the value of inclusivity in the seven years since he left the Lions. Ackermann led the Lions to Super Rugby finals in 2016 and 2017 before joining Gloucester and reaching the 2018 Challenge Cup final. He later coached in Japan, guiding Urayasu to Division 1 promotion in 2022, and recently consulted with the Junior Springboks, who won this year's World Championship. While in Japan, he earned the Division 2 Coach of the Year award, adding to his three South African Coach of the Year honours. Ackers learns much overseas Now back in South Africa, Ackermann said he aims to build a healthy, value-driven culture at the Bulls centred on mutual respect, humility, service, and teamwork — getting the best out of players while ensuring they enjoy what they do. 'I wouldn't say different,' he said when asked how he had changed since his Lions tenure. 'Maybe more streetwise, a bit more experienced. A bit more wary of how important it is to include different cultures.' He also highlighted the importance of players understanding the demands of modern rugby, especially extensive travel and adapting to team systems. 'Culture was the big thing [overseas]. You had All Blacks. They wanted a certain style; they wanted to play a certain way. Then you had an English player, then you had a Scottish player… 'So to create that unity and to also put your stamp on it, it took a lot of convincing. You have to really be strong on your principles and how you want to play, and also allow them to have input.' Ackermann balances being fun and being hands-on Ackermann said coaching the Lions was easier due to a fresh group that was more willing to be moulded the way he and Swys de Bruin wanted. At Gloucester and in Japan, he worked with strong personalities and internationals like Liam Gill, Israel Folau, and Greig Laidlaw. 'You have to learn as a coach that sometimes you can learn from them as well. There are good inputs there.' Still, he believes the team's direction must come from the coach. On his current role, he said Phiwe Nomlomo had led the Currie Cup side well and he didn't want to overshadow him. 'It will be a good opportunity for me to be on the back seat… then I can start sharing how I see things.' 'I think to be yourself is the best thing. To bring a bit of dancing and a bit of laughter and a bit of music. Everybody enjoys that, doesn't matter what culture they are.'
The Citizen
a day ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Johan Ackermann opens up about the ‘missing 1%' at the Bulls
The new Bulls coach was reluctant to speculate on past finals, but has "one or two ideas" about travel and squad integration. New head coach Johan Ackermann has one or two ideas he would like to try at the Bulls. Picture: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images New Bulls coach Johan Ackermann said any number of factors could have been responsible for the Pretoria union narrowly missing out on claiming the United Rugby Championship trophy. However, he had a few ideas that may improve the team's performance. The Bulls have reached three URC finals in the past four years but have not been able to cross the line. They came closest when they hosted Glasgow Warriors in 2024. After leading 13–0 early on, they ultimately fell 21–16. The Bulls lost 18–13 to the Stormers in Cape Town in 2022 and, most recently, were thrashed 32–7 by Leinster in Dublin last month. It was after that Leinster defeat that then-boss Jake White said he simply could not beat Leinster with the players he had. Shortly afterwards, players and coaches allegedly expressed their discontent with the board, and White and the Bulls mutually agreed to part ways earlier this month. Three times SA coach of the year, Ackermann was instated following stints at the Lions, Gloucester, Japan and with the SA U20s. 'I can only be myself' 'It's a big challenge. There's no illusion of the massive task that lies ahead,' he told the media on Wednesday. 'To take a team that has been performing, not just the last four years, but has been champions in Super Rugby before … that's my task, to make sure that we get the team to perform as quickly as we can. 'I can only be myself and do the things that I believe in and hopefully that will be good enough to get the team to where they need to be.' He said it was unfair to speculate what the missing link was for the Bulls, also joking that he did not have a great track record in finals either, with the Lions missing out in two Super Rugby finals (2016 and 2017) and Gloucester losing the Challenge Cup final in 2018. 'That [missing] 1% is a difficult thing because it is as much as one referee's decision, as much as one pass. The Springboks have won a World Cup with three one-pointers. It could have gone either way and if they didn't win it, everybody would have asked what that one missing link was.' He said the travel, a small aspect in tactics or preparation for a game, could also affect the result. For example, Ackermann wondered what would have happened if Springbok loose forward Kwagga Smith hadn't received a red card in the 2017 Super Rugby final, which the Lions lost 25–17 to the Crusaders. 'That's one incident almost taking the whole season apart because you didn't win the trophy. So it will be difficult for me to say what that 1% will be.' Ackermann looks to the controllables at the Bulls The Bulls coach said he couldn't control the past, but one way he could give the Bulls the best chance of success would be to tick boxes in strategy and preparation, and ensure all players are in a good place enjoying their rugby. 'Getting them to know why they are playing, what they are representing. Giving ourselves a chance to make sure we get enough wins to get into the play-off games. Then it's the small things that we make sure we tick.' He said he had 'one or two ideas' about travel, and integrating URC players into the Currie Cup squad before the bigger European tournaments kick off, that may work. But he would discuss them first with CEO Edgar Rathbone and president Willem Strauss.
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Lienert-Brown latest to look to Japan
Anton Lienert-Brown has had an interrupted season due to injury, but chalked up his 86th cap for the All Blacks last weekend. Veteran All Blacks midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown will miss Super Rugby next year as part of a sabbatical to play in Japan. It is allowed for in his current contract, which is valid until the end of 2026. His new contract announced today will see him available for the All Blacks, the Chiefs in Super Rugby and Waikato in the NPC until the end of 2028. The 30-year-old chalked up his 86th cap for the All Blacks in their third test against France in Hamilton last Saturday. He will team up with Ardie Savea at the Kobe Steelers for Japan's League One competition, where his former mentor at the Chiefs, Dave Rennie, is coach and former All Blacks and Chiefs teammate Brodie Retallick is captain. Lienert-Brown and Savea will return home after their stints in Japan and be available for the All Blacks' July series. Lienert-Brown has had an interrupted season, after a month out with a leg injury followed by a few months recuperating from a broken collarbone suffered against Perth-based Western Force in April. "I'm excited to re-commit to New Zealand Rugby through to 2028. This year's been frustrating with injuries outside of my control but pulling on the black jersey again last Saturday reminded me just how special this journey really is. "Representing Waikato, the Chiefs, and my country is something I never take for granted. My decision to stay reflects my commitment - not just to the teams I play for, but to giving everything I've got to the work that lies ahead." Lienert-Brown has played 126 games through 12 Super Rugby campaigns and 22 matches for Waikato. All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson said Lienert-Brown was a player who embodied the values of the All Blacks jersey. "His experience, composure, and clarity in the midfield are hugely valuable. He's overcome injury setbacks in recent years and has shown real resilience. "We're thrilled to have him locked in through to 2028, and the experience he'll gain in Japan will only enhance his game and leadership."
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Anton Lienert-Brown to play in Japan, signs on again with NZ Rugby
Anton Lienert-Brown looks to pass for the All Blacks against France in the third test at Hamilton, Saturday 19 July 2025. Photo: Photosport Veteran All Blacks midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown will miss Super Rugby next year as part of a sabbatical to play in Japan. The sabbatical is allowed for in his current contract, which is valid until the end of 2026. His new contract announced today will see him available for the All Blacks, the Chiefs in Super Rugby and Waikato in NPC until the end of 2028. The 30-year-old chalked up his 86th cap for the All Blacks against France in Hamilton on Saturday. He will team up with Ardie Savea at the Kobe Steelers for Japan's League One competition , where his former mentor at the Chiefs, Dave Rennie, is coach and former All Blacks and Chiefs team-mate Brodie Retallick is captain. Lienert-Brown and Savea will return home after their stints in Japan and be available for the All Blacks' July series. Lienert-Brown has had an interrupted season, after a month out with a leg injury followed by a few months recuperating from a broken collarbone suffered against the Force in April. "I'm excited to re-commit to New Zealand Rugby through to 2028. This year's been frustrating with injuries outside of my control but pulling on the black jersey again last Saturday reminded me just how special this journey really is. "Representing Waikato, the Chiefs, and my country is something I never take for granted. My decision to stay reflects my commitment, not just to the teams I play for, but to giving everything I've got to the work that lies ahead." Lienert-Brown has played 126 games through 12 Super Rugby campaigns and 22 matches for Waikato. All Blacks coach Scott Robertson said Lienert-Brown was a player who embodied the values of the All Blacks jersey. "His experience, composure, and clarity in the midfield are hugely valuable. He's overcome injury setbacks in recent years and has shown real resilience. We're thrilled to have him locked in through to 2028, and the experience he'll gain in Japan will only enhance his game and leadership."
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Tadhg Beirne: 'I felt the pressure. I'm not going to lie. A lot of people calling for my head out there'
WHEN the talking stopped, and the debates around selection gave way to the noise of a Test match build-up inside Suncorp Stadium, Andy Farrell knew the players those outside the British & Irish Lions camp may have doubted would perform they way he believed they would. It was not perfect in any shape or form but the way the Lions dominated Australia during Saturday's first half in Brisbane on their way to a 27-19 victory was confirmation enough that Farrell had got his combinations right. Flankers Tadhg Beirne and Tom Curry had been selected despite not setting the world alight in the opening skirmishes of this tour against Australia's Super Rugby franchises but their head coach backed them regardless, based on his trust that when it mattered, their experience and ability to raise their performances would come to the fore. And so it proved, openside Curry's thundering power in the tackle rocking the foundations of prop James Slipper to the core with the first hit of the game, his blindside partner Beirne following up with jackal to win the first penalty of the games after just 14 seconds. Less than a minute later Finn Russell had opened the scoring and the Lions were up and running, first taking a 10-0 lead and then leading 17-5 at half-time. By the 42nd minute, Curry had perfectly read the Wallabies' overthrown lineout to meet the ball on the run and spark the superbly executed transition attack that led to Dan Sheehan's try which killed the game off there and then, Russell's touchline conversion sending the tourists into a 24-5 lead. SWEET FEELING: Beirne shows off his Player of the Match medal from Brisbane's first test. 'You see it time and time again,' Farrell said. 'When it really matters, big game players, that's what they do, they turn up, they trust themselves to be able to perform on the big stage. It's not an easy thing to do, I suppose it comes with a little bit of experience and they deliver it again. 'We have conversations of 'why do you think you're selected' and 'what is it that you're going to bring to the team performance' and to a man they're unbelievably honest. They're men of their word and that's what they delivered.' Munster captain Beirne, who contributed 23 tackles to the series-opening victory, gave a rare insight into what it feels like to be at the centre of a very public selection debate and the positive impact Farrell had had in those conversations with the back row he had placed his faith in, also including his Ireland team-mate and No.8 Jack Conan. 'It was right up there,' Beirne said. 'I felt the pressure. I'm not going to lie, I did feel the pressure this week. There are some things you can't shy away from. 'A lot of people calling for your head out there. I know my performances to this date weren't up to par by my standards. So to be in this team, Faz has put a lot of trust in me and it was an honour to be selected. 'I had to put in a performance. All of us did. Everyone around me put in great performances and the best part about it was that we were able to make each other look good, particularly for the first half. That last quarter we probably fell off a bit and we will need to look into that to go better.' Beirne did not reveal what was said by his head coach, save to say that his words helped the back-row unit. "Look, Andy had a quiet word with the back row, the captains, and he said a few things to us. He put a little bit of pressure on us without putting pressure on us, as Andy does. 'But it gives you motivation and it gives you a little bit of realisation as to where his head's at and the opportunity that's being presented to us. So those words certainly sat with me for the 24 hours leading up to the game. 'I knew how important this game was and not just because of what he said, but it's also a massively important game because each week is the biggest game of your career on these tours. 'I'm 33 now, I'm not going to be on another Lions tour, let's be realistic, so these are special moments. These are huge games and I want to be involved in all of them, so I knew how important this game was and hopefully I've done enough to help this team win and hopefully be selected next week." FAMILY AFFAIR: Tadhg Beirne is reunited with his sister and family down under. Pic: Alannah Beirne/Instagram It sounds a little out of kilter to hear a Lions Test man of the match say he could not be certain of his place in this Saturday's team to take the field at the Melbourne Cricket Ground but Beirne understands he is in rarefied air on this tour with the players Farrell has brought to Australia. "That's the thing about the Lions. Any man next up has more than earned their spot. There's been incredible performances in the lead-up to these Tests. 'If I'd have gone down with an injury, Chess (Ollie Chessum) would have went into six, no-one would have batted an eyelid there, not 'oh no, Tadhg's out', do you know what I mean? It would have been like 'great, Chess is in'. 'So that's the tour we're in. These guys, everyone's gunning for a position here and everyone's worthy of a position here. The responsibility's on us to try and keep our positions.' Despite the hothouse environment, Beirne has been able to absorb the points of difference a Lions tour creates and as a veteran of the 2021 'Covid' tour to South Africa when his two Test appearances off the bench alongside starters Curry and Conan were in the empty concrete void of the Cape Town Stadium, he is relishing 'proper touring' to coin a Farrell phrase, particularly with so many of his nearest and dearest able to finally watch him play for the Lions inside Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night. There were 10 family members in the stands, including his three sisters, all of whom live in Australia, one in Adelaide, another close to Brisbane on the Gold Coast and the Sydney-based Jennifer, whose birthday was on gameday. The juxtaposition with a fanless tour spent in splendid isolation at a resort hotel outside of Cape Town was brought into sharp focus as hordes of Lions jerey-clad supporters flooded into the Queensland city. 'Just the whole experience since we've been here has been so different, so much more enjoyable. 'Getting to walk around today, it was my sister's birthday today so I met up with her quickly for a coffee in the morning and just as we were walking around the place, the amount of Lions jerseys. That sea of red is just incredible to see, the amount of people turning up as the day started getting closer to the game and it's just such a different experience. 'You feel the buzz and it affects you. It affects how you feel going into the game and it affects your motivation, everything. You become more excited, you know, the whole experience of the game and you feel how important it is, how big of an occasion it is. It gets you very excited.' The feeling was mutual on Saturday night but all the Lions players know they are going to have to up their game at the MCG for the second Test against a Joe Schmidt team that grew into the game after what their head coach described as a 'submissive' first half to prevent the rout that had seemed likely just two minutes into the second half. Yet the Lions were in a similar spot four years ago, winning the opening Test of a rancorous series with the Springboks, only to lose the second two. Beirne appears to have learned the lessons. 'You can't rest on your laurels at all. You've got to take a big step forward. You've got to elevate your performances. 'If we put in the same performance as we did tonight it probably won't be good enough next week, it's going to have to step up. There's going to be a lot of players back, they're going to be desperate to win. 'So we're going to have to elevate our performance to make sure we bring that up.'
