Heyneke Meyer eyes Force coaching role
Heyneke Meyer believes Western Force has a lot of potential.
©Press Association
Former Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer has expressed interest over taking the coaching role in the Super Rugby team Western Force.
Last week, Rugby WA and the Western Force announced the sacking of Michael Foley from the club's top role following a poor performance in the ongoing season where they are positioned last in the Australasian group with just 12 points from as many games.
Even in the 2015 season, Force struggled and finished last after managing just three wins from 16 games.
Meyer, who guided the Bulls to a Super Rugby triumph in 2007 believes the Western Australia based club has exciting prospects.
“I’ll definitely look at the (Western Force) opportunity if there’s something in the pipeline,” Meyer said.
“I think there’s a great opportunity there.
“The Force have got a lot of good things going for them.
“Since the Force started I always thought it was a great, great, great place to build a team.
“I’ve always liked the underdog. The big challenge is where you take a team. The challenge is to build a team, to take it and mould it the way you want.
“They’ve got good youngsters and I’ve watched Super Rugby quite intensively. A lot of the games they lost were quite close. They lacked a bit of experience.
“It’s a building process and while you would need to give it some time you still have to win. If they can keep the core of players together, success will come.
“You need a culture, like-minded people who want to be world class, who are willing to work hard, whose work ethic is really high and want to build something.”
In the recently concluded World Cup, Meyer's South Africa team suffered a huge setback after a shocking defeat to Japan and were eventually knocked out of the tournament by the defending champions All Blacks in the semi-finals.
Meyer revealed that he felt his career was over following his resignation from the Springboks' role in December but over the weekend, he resumed his coaching role with Africa Pacific Dragons in the World Club 10s in Mauritius.
“I never thought I would think like this a month or two ago but I’m well rested,” he said.
“I just love to be involved in coaching. At one point I thought it would be the end for me but this tournament is good for me.”
Earlier, Meyer was also linked with the English Premiership club Bath, after Mike Ford was sacked from the coaching position.
