NPR

South African coach Johann van Graan will depart Munster at the end of the 2021/22 season.

The Irish club confirmed on their website that Van Graan was offered a two-year contract extension but he opted against taking it.


Van Graan, who joined Munster in 2017, will complete his tenure in June 2022.

Recent reports have linked him with a move to English club Bath.


The former Springbok assistant coach commented on his decision in a statement: "While I was at advanced stages in the contract process earlier this year, I took a step back and reconsidered my options, prioritising what's best for my family, myself, and Munster Rugby.

"My family and I settled well into life here, this is our home, and in an ideal world we would love to continue living in Limerick, but I've been looking at the bigger picture.

"After arriving during the 2017/18 season, I am now into my fifth season with this group and in putting Munster first I believe it's the right decision for me to call time on my contribution and step away at the end of this season.

"While we have achieved so much together, and still have over six months of the season remaining, I wanted any uncertainty about my future addressed as early as possible.

"Working with this coaching team, staff, and players we are always striving to do our best for Munster Rugby, and nothing will change on that front.

"It has been an incredible journey and I'm hugely proud of this group for everything we have done to-date knowing there is so much more to come as we move towards the business end of the season."


Munster CEO Ian Flanagan said they were disappointed to see Van Graan leave.

"He will be widely missed after forming such close relationships across the organisation.

"Johann has been a valued addition to the province and integral to all the successes we have achieved over the past four years.

"His hands-on approach and tireless work ethic have ensured the structures are well in place for continued success and we know he will continue to deliver on all fronts for the remainder of the season.

"For now, we are working closely with the IRFU in looking to identify suitable replacements with the confirmed departures of both Johann and Steve (Stephen Larkham) next summer."

Larkham has already announced that he'll move back to Australia to coach the Brumbies.

assfly wrote: Tue Dec 14, 2021 11:44 am He must know something we don't to leave Munster for Bath.

assfly wrote: Tue Dec 14, 2021 11:44 am He must know something we don't to leave Munster for Bath.

JM2K6 wrote: Tue Dec 14, 2021 11:52 am

assfly wrote: Tue Dec 14, 2021 11:44 am He must know something we don't to leave Munster for Bath.

The rumour is he's not even going to be head coach.

inactionman wrote: Tue Dec 14, 2021 12:08 pm

JM2K6 wrote: Tue Dec 14, 2021 11:52 am

assfly wrote: Tue Dec 14, 2021 11:44 am He must know something we don't to leave Munster for Bath.

The rumour is he's not even going to be head coach.

The not-at-all-management-speak performance review recommended a defence coach, which is where I gather he's being recruited.

I would expect there is a longer-term view of where he will end up

Margin__Walker wrote: Tue Dec 14, 2021 11:51 am

assfly wrote: Tue Dec 14, 2021 11:44 am He must know something we don't to leave Munster for Bath.

ASMO wrote: Tue Dec 14, 2021 12:37 pm

inactionman wrote: Tue Dec 14, 2021 12:08 pm

JM2K6 wrote: Tue Dec 14, 2021 11:52 am

The rumour is he's not even going to be head coach.

The not-at-all-management-speak performance review recommended a defence coach, which is where I gather he's being recruited.

I would expect there is a longer-term view of where he will end up

Honetly i have no idea what Bath are doing anymore, it is plain for all to see that Hooper is hopelessly out of his depth, a defence coach will make little or no difference if the head honcho is a lame duck

inactionman wrote: Tue Dec 14, 2021 1:50 pm

ASMO wrote: Tue Dec 14, 2021 12:37 pm

inactionman wrote: Tue Dec 14, 2021 12:08 pm

The not-at-all-management-speak performance review recommended a defence coach, which is where I gather he's being recruited.

I would expect there is a longer-term view of where he will end up

Honetly i have no idea what Bath are doing anymore, it is plain for all to see that Hooper is hopelessly out of his depth, a defence coach will make little or no difference if the head honcho is a lame duck

Join the club. The general feeling around the place is one of complacency, not sure a defence coach is going to shake that up.

duke wrote: Tue Dec 14, 2021 1:52 pm

inactionman wrote: Tue Dec 14, 2021 1:50 pm

ASMO wrote: Tue Dec 14, 2021 12:37 pm

Honetly i have no idea what Bath are doing anymore, it is plain for all to see that Hooper is hopelessly out of his depth, a defence coach will make little or no difference if the head honcho is a lame duck

Join the club. The general feeling around the place is one of complacency, not sure a defence coach is going to shake that up.

A direct result of no relegation this season?

duke wrote: Tue Dec 14, 2021 1:52 pm

inactionman wrote: Tue Dec 14, 2021 1:50 pm

ASMO wrote: Tue Dec 14, 2021 12:37 pm

Honetly i have no idea what Bath are doing anymore, it is plain for all to see that Hooper is hopelessly out of his depth, a defence coach will make little or no difference if the head honcho is a lame duck

Join the club. The general feeling around the place is one of complacency, not sure a defence coach is going to shake that up.

A direct result of no relegation this season?

Margin__Walker wrote: Tue Dec 14, 2021 1:52 pm Defence coach is probably the immediate way to get him into the set up. Wouldn't surprise me if he ends up in a more senior role when an inevitable reshuffle occurs.

Bath have appointed Brent Janse van Rensburg as their new defence coach until the end of the season.
The South African, 41, has been head coach of the Pumas and Griquas in his home country and was most recently assistant coach at the Sharks, where he oversaw defence and kicking.
Premiership side Bath are winless in all competitions so far this season.
Van Rensburg's appointment follows an internal consultation into the team's poor run of results.
"We made it clear following our review outcome that we intended to bring in a specific defence coach who could add to our group immediately," director of rugby Stuart Hooper said.

SaintK wrote: Tue Dec 14, 2021 4:33 pm So Bath name a new defence coach and it's not Van Graan!!

Bath have appointed Brent Janse van Rensburg as their new defence coach until the end of the season.
The South African, 41, has been head coach of the Pumas and Griquas in his home country and was most recently assistant coach at the Sharks, where he oversaw defence and kicking.
Premiership side Bath are winless in all competitions so far this season.
Van Rensburg's appointment follows an internal consultation into the team's poor run of results.
"We made it clear following our review outcome that we intended to bring in a specific defence coach who could add to our group immediately," director of rugby Stuart Hooper said.

Uncle fester wrote: Tue Dec 14, 2021 9:16 pm

SaintK wrote: Tue Dec 14, 2021 4:33 pm So Bath name a new defence coach and it's not Van Graan!!

Bath have appointed Brent Janse van Rensburg as their new defence coach until the end of the season.
The South African, 41, has been head coach of the Pumas and Griquas in his home country and was most recently assistant coach at the Sharks, where he oversaw defence and kicking.
Premiership side Bath are winless in all competitions so far this season.
Van Rensburg's appointment follows an internal consultation into the team's poor run of results.
"We made it clear following our review outcome that we intended to bring in a specific defence coach who could add to our group immediately," director of rugby Stuart Hooper said.

Till end of season. VG isn't joining until then.

Punter15 wrote: Wed Dec 15, 2021 10:33 am I thought that Hooper’s remit has nothing to do with coaching and what actually happens on the pitch, and that it’s Hatley who is floundering. Hooper appointed him of course, and shoulders the media and fans ire, but he’s not the one who is taking things south.

handyman wrote: Wed Dec 15, 2021 6:50 am What's the feeling from Munster fans on here, happy with what Van Graan achieved?

Uncle fester wrote: Wed Dec 15, 2021 11:19 am

handyman wrote: Wed Dec 15, 2021 6:50 am What's the feeling from Munster fans on here, happy with what Van Graan achieved?

Steadied the ship. We went through a run of coaches for a while and he consistently kept us mostly competitive but there is a good deal of frustration with his reluctance to give young players a chance when some of the incumbents were pretty poor.

We're particularly poor in the front five and this is a key reason we're not pushing on. Aside from Beirne and Kilcoyne, the front five is made up of guys who don't even make extended Ireland squads. All the more reason for giving young lads a shot to see if they can do better. The performance Scott Buckley gave on Sunday is miles ahead of anything Niall Scannell has produced in years.

Tactics have been very conservative. Strengths of the team would indicate a passing, fast-paced game but JVG's Munster are heavily reliant on one-out runners and box kicking.

I'd say he'll get Bath off the floor but can't see him having the vision to push on from mid-level.

JM2K6 wrote: Wed Dec 15, 2021 2:20 pm Can't imagine Hatley will take a demotion.

OomStruisbaai wrote: Wed Dec 15, 2021 2:36 pm Van Graan will be Rassie Assistant England coach.