Leinster exploited law loophole for Jacques Nienaber’s return to waterboy duties

Jared Wright
Leinster coach Jacques Nienaber during the Investec Champions Cup final against Toulouse. (via TNT Sport)

Leinster coach Jacques Nienaber during the Investec Champions Cup final against Toulouse. (via TNT Sport)

Leinster and Jacques Nienaber exploited a loophole in World Rugby laws to allow the ex-Springboks head coach to return to waterboy duties.

During his time as the side’s assistant coach, Nienaber was a regular fixture on the sidelines for the Springboks.

A qualified physio, he also used his position to pass on messages to players and when he was promoted to head coach in 2021, then director of rugby Rassie Erasmus controversally ran the water during the British and Irish Lions series.

Jacques Nienaber’s return to waterboy duties

However, in 2022 World Rugby updated the laws around which individuals are permitted to be water carriers for teams.

It is common practice for an assistant coach to be a water carrier or run the tee for a team at the club or international level, but the change in 2022 stated that “Water carriers cannot be a Director of Rugby or Head Coach.”

During Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup final between Leinster and Toulouse, Nienaber was spotted running water for the Irish side in the second half of regular time.

EPCR officials approached the World Cup-winning coach to discuss whether he was allowed to perform the water carrier duties.

Nienaber’s official title at Leinster is senior coach, with Leo Cullen being the team’s head coach. His title means that he is, in fact, allowed to be a water carrier for the Irish side.

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Coaches acting as water carriers has created a fair bit of controversy in recent years, with former Lions coach Warren Gatland slamming the Springboks and Erasmus’ antics during the 2021 series.

More recently, Wales assistant coach Neil Jenkins had a heated exchange with referee Matthieu Raynal during the 2024 Six Nations match against Italy at the Principality Stadium.

For Leinster, the move was not enough as they were unable to end their trophy drought as they fell to an agonising 22-31 defeat to Toulouse after extra time.

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