Breaking bread with Sharks' coach

Dick Muir explains what he would have done differently in the Currie Cup semi-final against the Cheetahs

Dick Muir presents the Empangeni Player of the Year Trophy to Ian Wilmot

Rhinos’ first team coach - Simon Harvey recaps on the 2006 season

Earl Baillache

EMPANGENI Rugby Club closed the 2006 season with their annual year-end prize-giving and dinner on Saturday at the clubhouse.
Guest speaker was the charismatic Dick Muir, an ex-Springbok player and current Sharks’ coach.
In his address, Rhinos’ first team coach, Simon Harvey, noted that although 2006 was not the best season for the Club, next year’s prospects are looking positive.
After a scrumptious three-course dinner, Muir had the boisterous ‘rugga buggers’ hanging on his every word as he stuck by his belief that ‘the Sharks are destined for greatness and we have the ammunition to do it’.
He pressed home the point that players must realise that club rugby is the most enjoyable rugby.
‘We are honoured to be rugby people. Our rugby is in a strong position judging by the high standard of this year’s Currie Cup competition.’
He also stressed that if you are a good rugby player it does not mean you will automatically be a good coach.
He concluded his talk by confirming that contrary to media reports, Brent Russell is staying with the Sharks next season.

Caps
Muir was an experienced campaigner for the Springboks, having made his Bok début in 1997 and finishing up an illustrious career with a massive 148 games for the Sharks and 35 games for Western Province and Stormers, much to the disgust of his Empangeni audience.
In closing, first team coach Angus Macdonald presented Muir with an Empangeni Rugby Club tie and urged his troops to start the new season on a positive note like they ended the 2006 one.