Springbok assistant coach Tim Lane has been relieved of all national esponsibilities and will not form part of the 2003 national management structure, SA Rugby (Pty) Ltd managing director Rian Oberholzer announced on Wednesday.
The decision follows a meeting between Oberholzer and Springbok coach Rudolf Straeuli.
”Rudolf believes he and Tim have contrasting coaching philosophies which impact on player selection and playing style. He felt a continued association would lead to frustration on the part of both of them and this could have a negative impact on the squad’s international prospects, especially the World Cup campaign,” said Oberholzer.
Lane, who joined the Springboks as Harry Viljoen’s backline assistant in 2001, also coached the Cats in this year’s Vodacom Super 12.
”Tim’s position as Cats coach remains unchanged. He is contracted until 2005 as Cats coach. He has SA Rugby’s full support. He, however, needs to decide whether he wants to continue to make a contribution to South African rugby as a regional coach without any direct link to the national team.”
Oberholzer emphasised that the decision was not based on the Cats performance in this year’s Super 12 competition.
”The head coach felt there would be a conflict because of coaching philosophies. Only he could make that call and we will back his needs as national coach,” said Oberholzer.
Straeuli said he and Lane had enjoyed a very good professional working relationship but that he had to make a decision he felt was in the interests of the 2003 international campaign.
”I have to back my philosophy and it would have been unfair on Tim to ask him to coach a style of play or a kind of player he does not believe in,” said Straeuli.
Lane’s replacement will be announced on May 27 when Straeuli’s names the Springbok squad of 24 to play against Scotland. – Sapa