Springbok rugby coach Peter de Villiers on Monday denied media reports and refused to reveal details about his meeting with SA Rugby last week when he was rated by the ruling body.
”Nobody told me what I may do and what I may not do,” De Villiers said.
”The rating is according to me a personal matter. If anyone wants to find something out about it they can call SA Rugby, but for me it’s a personal matter.”
De Villiers was reported to have been told by SA Rugby not to bring religious and political views into his comments with the media.
He did, however, receive a good mark after being assessed by SA Rugby.
”It doesn’t matter how good or bad I am,” he said. ”If I can do the job to the best of my ability that’s all that matters to me.”
The Boks’ only injury problems ahead of their opening Tri-Nations match against New Zealand in Bloemfontein on Saturday are in the midfield — Adi Jacobs is struggling over a groin injury and Jaque Fourie also has a niggle.
”They are still working with Adi. He is basically the only player our medical staff is working with,” De Villiers said. ”Jaque Fourie also receives provisional treatment.”
De Villiers will make a decision on Jacobs’ availability for Saturday’s Test after his medical staff have made a full assessment.
The Bok coach said he didn’t consider his side favourites heading into the match.
”We would love to be the underdogs,” said De Villiers. ”We didn’t write off the All Blacks. I don’t know who wrote them off.
”We always knew that they were a good rugby side, as they showed on Saturday against the Wallabies [when they won 22-16 in Auckland].
”If you think you can pitch up for 60 or 70 minutes against the All Blacks then you’re at the wrong place.”
De Villiers will have a talk with referee Alain Rolland before the match about his view on the breakdowns.
”The breakdown will always be a concern,” he said, ”There are too many grey areas there.” — Sapa