Rory Kockott: Wants to leave Castres
Castres have dismissed claims that scrum-half Rory Kockott has threatened not to return to the club if he is not released from his contract.
It was initially reported that the former Sharks and Lions number nine, who is on holiday in South Africa, wants to leave Castres to join Top 14 rivals Racing Metro.
But Castres have released a statement on their official website refuting this and revealed that Kockott is contracted with Castres until 2014.
"Following the various newspaper articles referring to the situation of Rory Kockott, Castres Olympique wish to state that this player has a contract to remain with Castres for another year if the club qualifies for the (2013/14) European Cup (competition])" the statement read.
"On the contrary, he (Kockott) will be free (to leave) if the club does not qualify for this (European Cup)] competition."
Castres confirmed they have granted Kockott a week off to attend his sister's wedding in South Africa and said said they are confident he will "respect" his contractual obligations.
"Rory Kockott has never threatened not to resume his activities (at Castres), contrary to the report on the RMC Sport website," the club statement added.
However, the RMC Sport website quoted Kockott as saying he was even considering resuming his career in South Africa if the "deadlock" between him and the club is not resolved.
According to that report, Kockott, who is amongst the Top 14's leading points scorers, wants to leave Castres in June.
However, he complained of a lack of dialogue with the the club's leadership, who he accused of being "inflexible" about the clause in his contract that will keep him at Castres if they qualify for the European Cup.
The 26-year-old suggested he would return to France as planned next week if Castres agree to release clause.
Castres face Grenoble on Saturday - the only game Kockott will miss, according to the club.
He joined Castres from the Lions as they have a strong contingent of South African players including Jannie Bornman, Michael Coetzee and Antonie Claassen.
Comments
Iyhel says...
Kockott is back in Castres and du to play against the Saints... maybe this was just (again?) sensationnalism?
Posted 15:33 07th January 2013
Iyhel says...
@lorenz78: so far, with the club in 4th, there's no evidence that the decision to leave at the end of the year has prevented Labit & Travers to do their job...
Regarding Kockott (a name full of tongue twistters in French!), he's 26 and a pro, he's supposed to know how to read a contract...
Posted 16:47 04th January 2013
daibok says...
Kockott is a good player but seemed a bit flaky at the Sharks. The Lions would probably welcome him back. I agree with lorenz78 re Castres - how can they welcome him back if this is true? Although to be fair he seems to be playing very well for them.
Posted 11:57 04th January 2013
lorenz78 says...
This story made me curious and I reserched a little bit: he wants to go to Racing because the two current Castres coach will move there from next year. The coaches announced the move on October 9th.
So: with a season barely started, two coaches say they will quit the team (for a rival in the same competition) next year. Come mid season, a player under contract wants to make sure to be released at the end of the season: he has a clause to terminate it, but only if Castres do not qualify for any European competition. Castres is 4th in the league, so being admitted to a European cup is possible.
Conclusion: coaches quit on the team at the beginning of the season, coaches+one player have an interest in not doing the best for their current team. Actually, if I were in Castres management, I would not want Kockott playing one more single minute, considered his stated priority is leaving the club.
What was exactly the meaning of "professionalism" when rugby accepted it..?
Posted 09:23 04th January 2013