Chiefs

jamesliveinhope says...

ON the topic of Catt - born and raised in SA until 18 when he moved over here to study. English mother (@cass402, its my understanding that, back then, very few children had their own passports and piggybacked their parents' passports. so there is a strong possibility that the likes of Shaw and Catt were English passport holders)

Catt moved over here in 1989 when the game was still amateur and decided to stay, bit harsh to suggest that he was chasing the pound or some form of representative glory.

As far as I'm concerned he's English wherever he was born.

On the topic of Smith (perhaps the one we should be talking about) its a shame but you have to respect the dignity and sensibility of his decision which looks like it was largely for family reasons.

Posted 10:18 02nd May 2012

Cass402 says...

@Mace...what on earth does" Read that England "LOYAL" something your team knows nothing about." mean. Do you come up with these classics on the spur of the moment?

Posted 08:34 02nd May 2012

three6three6 says...

Improving the way England plays its rugby, is not necessarily about hiring coaches with big reputations. Stuart Lancaster and his team did a wonderful job through the 6 Nations.... and they fell agonisingly short in their match against Wales (who in their own right were simply magnificent right through the 6 Nations Championship!)

Smith was only ever going to be part of a team, where team dynamics are really important. I am sure that Mike Catt will acquit himself well. The rugby that he played was usually instinctive with a steadying influence on those around. It probably helps him having been brought up in a rugby playing nation, such as South Africa.

Good luck England with your tour to South Africa... it will not be easy... especially regarding that extra physical edge that the BOKKE usually find for matches against England.

Posted 03:40 02nd May 2012

kiwilad says...

Oh my goodness, please tell me we do not have a trinats2..

one was plenty

Posted 02:19 02nd May 2012

lawynd says...

Why do people keep on ad nauseum about nationality? Unless you're an Aboriginal Australian, tribal African or full-blooded Maori, I suggest the antipodean peanut gallery should keep its collective traps shut. And, point of fact, Catt is half-English and has spent his entire life here since he was 18, including his entire senior playing career.

Posted 23:36 01st May 2012

bokbevok says...

At apv1

Born in PE to English parents but had p..s in his veins so with family moved back to UK probably to avoid army conscription.

Posted 21:53 01st May 2012

Jediboy says...

jonesy2 - Please please please. Pretty please.

Please educate me. Having seen the content of your posts, and the way you construct a sentence, combined with your exemplary use of grammar, I NEED you to educate me.

Or we're you being serious, and you mean you really can't educate me?

Oh well never mind, I'll just speak to my three year old son instead for my education.

Posted 20:19 01st May 2012

jehosophat says...

Shame. Looked like it was always a long shot though. He seemed perfect for the role - someone with Super 12 and Tri Nations coaching experience would be ideal for backs coaching.

Posted 17:11 01st May 2012

jonesy2 says...

Trinats2-- i meant as in they are still going to be clueless as to how to score tries and what not.

Jediboy -- i couldnt even begin to educate you

Posted 17:03 01st May 2012

melkdave says...

Not really unexpected news ,WS knowlege ect would have been of tremendous help to England ..Now we just have to bite the bullet and look elsewhere perhaps M.Catt or P.Blake will now be the English backs coach ,we will just have to wait and see who this aurtum becomes full time coach

Posted 16:03 01st May 2012