Leinster Coach Nienaber Faces Tensions in Relationship with Irish Media

BASED on Jacques Nienaber’s exasperated remarks during a Leinster press conference on Monday, it seems likely that the former Springbok coach may return to South Africa sooner rather than later. There is speculation he could even join the national team for next year’s World Cup.

As the defence coach, Nienaber often becomes the target of criticism whenever Leinster faces defeat, rarely receiving acknowledgment when they succeed. His frustration has grown, particularly after the team suffered a heavy loss to Bordeaux in the Champions Cup final.

In a press briefing leading up to Saturday’s United Rugby Championship (URC) semi-final against the Stormers, Nienaber was pressed about his future.

He referred to a statement made by journalist Ruaidhri O’Connor in the Irish Independent, which suggested that Leinster had “made a deal with the devil.”

“If, as he remarked, I’m ‘a devil’, then I probably won’t be sticking around,” Nienaber said, despite having a contract that runs through the end of next season.

“Let me clarify: who decides when you’re out? It’s the public and the media. They are the ones who ‘fire’ you. Not the CEO, not Shane Nolan [the Leinster CEO]. He doesn’t have that power over me.”

“So when you ask, will I be here? I sincerely hope so, but honestly, I’m not sure.

“I feel like my value isn’t recognized here.”

In the meantime, Leinster is grappling with multiple injuries after tough matches against Bordeaux and the Lions. Key players who are working to recover in time for the Stormers matchup include: Prop Tadhg Furlong, hookers Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher, lock Joe McCarthy, centre Garry Ringrose, and wings Tommy O’Brien and Jordan Larmour.