EP in talks with Marshall
9 Mar 2010
Eastern Province are negotiating deals with Justin Marshall and Gordon Tietjens.
The Kiwi pair are set to join before this year’s Currie Cup as the union hopes to qualify for the premier division of the tournament and then gain entry into Super Rugby as the Kings.
The former All Blacks scrumhalf joined Saracens for the latter stages of the 2008/09 season, but his performances meant Sarries extended his stay at Watford. At 36, the former Crusader may be past his best, but EPRU president Cheeky Watson said they are looking for certain types of individuals to re-build the union.
Tietjen is renowned as New Zealand’s sevens coach, who currently lead the IRB World Series title race. Watson couldn’t say in what role Tietjens will be used.
‘I can’t confirm whether they’re coming, as we are still in talks with them,’ Watson told keo.co.za.
The Kings haven’t been able to contract many top players or a director of rugby as they still haven’t been approved by Saru’s board to officially create the franchise in order to gain entry into Super Rugby.
The signing of Marshall especially would be a major coup for the union.
‘That’s why we also went for a guy like De Wet Barry,’ said Watson. ‘He’s been invaluable to us and to the players around him. We want other experienced players and coaches who can add value and equip people around them with the relevant knowledge.’
‘Having someone like Justin would beneficial to the union as a player and also in a mentoring capacity,’ Barry told this website. ‘Experience is always good.’
Meanwhile, Watson was hoping for a March deadline on the Kings decision, but with the Saru presidential elections set for 26 March the matter has again been delayed.
‘We are still in strong discussions with Saru on the matter,’ said Watson. ‘I’m very positive as we seem to be getting somewhere in terms of a time-frame.’
Watson couldn’t confirm whether the Kings would gain entry into the Super 15 in 2011 or 2012.
‘It’s still debatable at this stage,’ said Watson. ‘The discussions are at an advanced stage, but it’s still a sensitive matter as all the Sanzar partners have to be consulted.’
By Grant Ball
96 Comments
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9 Mar 2010, 11:32 am
At 36 the time of Justin Marshall is over.
With sevens now an Olympic sport Gordon Tietjens is in high demand. Cannot see where they will get the money for him.
9 Mar 2010, 11:33 am
EP Mighty Dragons! A temporary solution to this Kings fiasco (and to make the staidum sustainable) may be to at least have the Mighty Elephants in the Currie Cup.
9 Mar 2010, 11:33 am
Best of luck witht he players, but Cheeky if you have not realised SARU is taking you for a ride buddy you should get yourself another pot of vaseline and prepare to get screwed over solidly in the near future – new presidency or not.
9 Mar 2010, 11:34 am
the teams that finish in the top 5 of the curry cup gets to play in the super15. Finish en klaar. That would make our cc more interresting and would also be more fair to teams like griquas who put in the hard yards come cc time.
9 Mar 2010, 11:36 am
I just realised something…
While SA is becoming the home of retired, past their best overseas imports (Carlos, Marshall, etc) our young stars are targeted by the Rebels and French clubs…
We got this all wrong…
9 Mar 2010, 11:51 am
Why would they get Tietjens? He is a sevens coach. That is such a specialised area, what would he have to offer EP?
9 Mar 2010, 11:58 am
And pigs started to fly….
Marshall does plenty of tv pundit work for the beeb lately, is old and Tietjens is a sevens coach.
Just can’t see it happening.
What next? Danie Gerber to make a comeback?
9 Mar 2010, 11:59 am
If you considered Justin Marshall, they might as well have made Garth Wright an offer. He is after all just as old, homegrown talent and at least they would save on accomodation, flight cost etc.
9 Mar 2010, 12:02 pm
In fact, after this article, I saw the heading “Coetzee confident of Tiaan’s return” and I was getting excited about a possible comeback by the one and only Tiaan (Strauss).
9 Mar 2010, 12:04 pm
DESPERATE!
9 Mar 2010, 12:07 pm
They are desperate. They contracted Gareth Wright last season too.
Who’s next? Kobus Wiese to lead the forwards?
9 Mar 2010, 12:09 pm
and here I was thinking it was only the English who paid good money for our rejects and has beens…
seems SA is following suit.. no wonder you guys have been slowing improving these last 4 or 5 years… poaching all them kiwis huh?
9 Mar 2010, 12:12 pm
poppa69
This is a total waste of time, mate.
9 Mar 2010, 12:14 pm
This is sad news, sad news.
9 Mar 2010, 12:17 pm
@WP_: I agree mate, Marshall has such an ego trip on himself, he would be caustic for the EP..
they would be better spending the money on encouraging local talent, or on implementing the proper structures for the long term benefit of the EP… too many administrators and officials are only ever interested in short term or plug gap solutions, rather then being visionaries and actually doing some good for their province/area..
9 Mar 2010, 12:18 pm
@poppa69:
Well they could have had Gert Smal who had a whole vision and plan for this region…
They shot him down.
He is now coaching Ireland.
9 Mar 2010, 12:19 pm
What message does this send to young players?
and transformation?
9 Mar 2010, 12:24 pm
Exactly, it laughs in the face of transformation and youth development.
Rather pick a youngster and get an up and coming coach involved.
What a joke, and 36 is too old, he’s well past it.
9 Mar 2010, 12:28 pm
@PissAnt: and by all accounts Smal is doing great things with the Irish…
and why a proven 7s coach? Teitjens… from what I know of he hasnt done much in the 15 a side game…
9 Mar 2010, 12:31 pm
If the EP and Border do become part of the Sharks franchise again then the Sharkies can approach Tiejens to partner HRE in their coaching setup.
9 Mar 2010, 12:33 pm
But surely as the NZ 7′s coach he cant sign another contract?
9 Mar 2010, 12:34 pm
How is getting a 36-year-old Kiwi and a Kiwi sevens coach aiding transformation in the Eastern Cape – I thought that was the whole point of the Kings.
I can’t help but agree with PA above – get ready to be shafted Cheeky.
9 Mar 2010, 12:45 pm
@Kerneels:
The sooner this region stop trying to sell themselves as a transformation vehicle rather than a rugby hub the better for them.
But then, that would mean there would be no space for politicians and that you actually need rugby people to drive this….
9 Mar 2010, 12:45 pm
What about Lorrie… he still playing? And Jorrie….
Why not buy McNeill Hendriks (spelling) of Wessel Roux….
while you are doing stupid thing … please do it properly!
9 Mar 2010, 12:55 pm
i was told that this region has the biggest player base in SA…
Did i miss something…
why do they wanna buy all & sundry?? Give the younger guys a chance man….
support them!
9 Mar 2010, 13:05 pm
Say it isnt so! The most laughable piece of news Ive heard all year.In fact,compared to this,the Andy Goode signing looks like a masterstroke.Ridiculous
9 Mar 2010, 13:12 pm
@Staal: last night the NMMU received a 97 point thrashing at the hands if UJ. I also wonder where all this talent is.
9 Mar 2010, 13:13 pm
I feel for the EP, lived there for a while. I dearly would like to see them be successful. What they need is a rugby-strategist to set them up for success. If anyone, they need John Hart or Hayneke Meyer or Sir Clive. This is falling into the same trap as the Sharks. Learn from the Bulls! A strong team is nutured over years and developed, not bought. EP has no structure or base to start from. Hell, look at how the “Madiba’s” got bliksemed in the Varsity Cup.
9 Mar 2010, 13:14 pm
Kings get over the hill Marshall and Rebels get Kockott.
Laugh a minute.
9 Mar 2010, 13:14 pm
@gunther: i’m getting the message loud and clear gun man, don’t worry
9 Mar 2010, 13:21 pm
Ok, “STOP THE LORRY!!” Who saw the Steve Walsh wink to the Brumbies front ranker on Superrugby last night!!??? What was that all about?
Tell me there is an investigation into this obvious suspicious behaviour. Pleaseeeee……
This is k@k, we are being screwed over by the Ausie refs and Keo isn’t even running the story.
9 Mar 2010, 13:25 pm
Okes, I have found the solution for this Spears/Kings issue, everyone wins, or at least most win.
9 Mar 2010, 13:27 pm
@RedLion: @27 I gave the answer to your question to JC and Ryan, yesterday, maybe they havent checked their emails at HSM
9 Mar 2010, 13:38 pm
Transie
I’d like an investigation into the player signings down there who is in charge of that aspect?
What next?
Grant Fox ?
9 Mar 2010, 13:40 pm
@PissAnt: Ja, I have also been saying that for a while – they have enough talent and history, they do not need to bang the transformation drum to get noticed. In fact, it probably serves the exact opposite purpose at this stage.
As you say however, there needs to be space for the money grabbers in-between.
9 Mar 2010, 13:41 pm
Colonels
Transformation will get upset with anyone that bangs his drum..
9 Mar 2010, 13:48 pm
Mr. Vrede
How about a story on Stevie’s wink? any comments from keo on this incident? was he wearing his beer goggles and thought that maybe the Brumbie prop was a blonde bombshell??…..i can certainly see how the man boobs could have thrown him
9 Mar 2010, 13:53 pm
Relax bogie
Steve was just confirming an invitation to post match drinks with the brumbies to discuss his interpretation of the tackle ball..
You are being oversensitve..
I’m sure that if beast made a similar offer he would wonk back …
9 Mar 2010, 13:54 pm
Or even wink..
9 Mar 2010, 13:56 pm
@logie_Jumpbuck:
Kevin McCallum made the following tweet during the Lions/Brumbies game:
“Steve Walsh has shown remarkable restraint. He took all of 25 mins before he binned a Lion. Just gave a sly wink to the Brumbies front row.”
9 Mar 2010, 13:57 pm
@gunther: Gunt, i don’t buy it. there was more to it i think.
but alas, there is no enquiry, no investigation, not even a single article by any rugby journalist in the S14, so i guess that proves that i’m making something out of nothing.
Still, it makes me wonder….
9 Mar 2010, 13:59 pm
@WP Till I Die: i saw it on superrugby last night and boy oh boy if it was up to me (which it’s not) i would have looked into it.
9 Mar 2010, 14:00 pm
Wptid
Kevin is one of the funniest sport journos we have..
To have him write for the cape crimes would be very nice..
9 Mar 2010, 14:02 pm
@gunther:
Yes, he is…how have things been here on Keo? I see people were getting quite emotional. I’ve been away for a bit, popping in every now and again.
People need to learn to see the bright side of things.
Your Bulls side is looking impressive on attack, I’m just worried about their defence ahead of their overseas tour…
9 Mar 2010, 14:12 pm
I have also been in and out work has ratcheted up a notch ..
Yep emotions have been running high and some parties are in self-imposed purdah…in itself not a bad thing for awhile..
Bulls defence is a worry but I reckon it is easier to fix than ones attack, hopefully as the comp progresses the players will get used to each other and improve…
Your boys seem to have the opposite problem..
Very happy to see schalk back to form, I see my ikey tigers snatched defeat from the jaws of victory last night against the old enemy..
9 Mar 2010, 14:16 pm
@gunther:
I for one was a very proud Matie alumnus last night – but to be honest Ikeys probably deserved to win the match.
Still – MATIES!
It’s always a brilliant intervarsity.
9 Mar 2010, 14:21 pm
@gunther:
#&*@&%*(#$%( ********.
I was pissed off last night.
9 Mar 2010, 14:25 pm
@PissAnt:
Go Maties!
9 Mar 2010, 14:26 pm
@PissAnt: are you an ikey fan? i took you for a puk?
9 Mar 2010, 14:28 pm
Cheeky et al (Komphela, Borat) got Sharks in their sights. I’m beginning to really fear we will be no more next year. With the slump the Sharks are going through it’s the perfect time to nail our coffin shut. I’m starting to think Straueli and tik smoking Plum is on Cheeky’s payroll. It seems too coincidental. What happens when you get a complete fckwit and a Kiwi to run a rugby franchise? Anwer: the Sharks 2010.
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