New England defence coach has an 'astute rugby brain' and 'lives, sleeps, breathes and eats rugby'
Senekal worked with El-Abd in France last season
©Courtesy of Dewald Senekal (ds_rugbycoaching)
Dewald Senekal has tipped new England defence coach Joe El-Abd for success in Steve Borthwick’s set-up.
The South African, who worked alongside El-Abd at Oyonnax last season, believes the 44-year-old's dedication, drive and attention to detail will make him an excellent addition to England's backroom staff.
El-Abd was recently confirmed as Felix Jones's successor after the Irishman resigned eight months into the role.
El-Abd is considered one of the brightest young English coaches and already boasts a decade of experience in France.
Joining England for the upcoming Autumn Nations Series, he will also carry out his duties as Oyonnax's Director of Rugby until the end of the season.
"I was fortunate to have one year with him in that environment,” Senekal told TRU. "I learnt a hell of a lot. He is an astute rugby brain. He lives, sleeps, breathes, eats rugby. I don’t think I have ever come across anyone that invested.
"At Oyonnax, he runs the club. He has established amazing structures and worked really hard to create a real culture and environment around the club.
"As a coach, I know he is a big fan of Steve. It is a great appointment because he is an incredible and astute thinker of the game.”
El-Abd will link up with England this week for their camp in Girona as Steve Borthwick's side continue their preparations for their opening Autumn Nations Series clash with New Zealand on November 2nd.
In the former Bristol back-row’s appointment as defence coach, Borthwick has leant on a familiar figure after a summer of upheaval in the national set-up.
Along with Jones' resignation, Aled Walters left his role as England’s head of strength and conditioning while S&C coach Tom Tombleson left his position after 10 years of service.
In Borthwick’s two years at the helm of World Rugby’s fifth-ranked Test side, the former England captain has made 10 appointments to his backroom staff.
When it comes to offering stability, El-Abd may just be the perfect appointment and is seemingly a confidant of Borthwick's given they were flatmates when they were both at the University of Bath.
Spending eight years with Oyonnax over two spells, including two promotions to the Top 14, he also enjoyed four years with Castres in which the club won the league.
Senekal has largely watched on as his former teammate has built up an impressive resume.
Joining Toulon together in the summer of 2009, at the same time Jonny Wilkinson, Sonny Bill Williams and Felipe Contepomi arrived on the Mediterranean coast, both have gone on to achieve much in coaching.
While El-Abd is England-bound, Senekal has forged a reputation as one of the most innovative young forwards coaches in world rugby.
Currently acting as collision and breakdown specialist for United Rugby Championship side Benetton Treviso, Senekal will be bringing his nous to Major League Rugby champions, the New England Free Jacks, in the new year.
The South African will be arriving in Massachusetts fully refreshed and enhanced as a coach after 12 months in the company of El-Abd.
“As a coach, I grew immensely working for Joe because he was constantly challenging me on how to present better, how to create environments where we could challenge the players more, how we could test the players' decision-making under pressure,” Senekal said.
“No session was just a session. There was a lot of deep thought and planning that went into each session, which in the beginning was quite tough and later on it really helped me grow as a coach to be challenged in that way.
“He loves what he does and is good at what he does. It is a big loss for Oyonnax, but he is an incredibly hardworking, professional and technically good coach.”
