Meyer's Spears link premature
Mon, 12 Jan 2009 09:14
Premature speculation: Leicester coach Heyneke Meyer
Reports linking Leicester Tigers and former Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer to a role at the proposed new Southern and Eastern Cape Super 14 franchise are nothing more than premature speculation.
Weekend reports suggested that Meyer was being considered for the position of Director of Rugby for the franchise formerly known as the Southern Spears.
However, this has been dismissed as "premature speculation" by a source close to Meyer, who told rugby365.com that the coach will not make a decision about his future until his current situation is resolved.
Meyer returned to South Africa during the busy United Kingdom festive season because of serious family illness.
In a media release at the time the Board of Leicester Tigers said it respects Meyer's position and the club offers him and his family its full support.
"The extent of his absence will be assessed over the next two weeks and kept under review," the statement said.
Meyer's future at Tigers was thrown further in doubt after club chairman Peter Tom confirmed that he was unsure when, or if, the South African would be returning. Tom, at the time, suggested that Meyer would not be back before February at the very earliest.
The Leicester chairman, Tom, conceded the situation "put a doubt" over Meyer continuing with the club which he only joined before the start of this season following the departure of former Argentina coach Marcelo Loffreda.
"Both of Heyneke's wife's parents are seriously ill, and he has gone back to assess the whole situation," said Tom.
"We are happy to give him all the time he needs, and I don't think you can speculate.
"At the end of the day, we accept the family is priority, and the best thing is that Heyneke supports his family."
However, this has not stopped media speculation which suggested that Meyer had already been offered the 'Spears' job.
Meyer, the 2007 Super 14-winning Bulls coach, is contracted to Leicester Tigers till 2011.
South African Rugby Union President Oregan Hoskins has also dismissed reports that his organisation had approached Meyer - which is in line with what rugby365's source said on Monday.
Hoskins said it was not within SARU's jurisdiction to appoint coaches.
The unions forming the Southern and Eastern Cape franchise were responsible for that and none of them have been in contact with Meyer - who has been out of reach while dealing these family issues.
By Jan de Koning
* Where should Meyer coach?
