Munster Rugby’s South African-born Jaco Taute, who played under new Munster Head Coach Johann van Graan when he was Springbok forwards coach in 2012, believes his fellow countryman could be the right fit for Munster.
The three times international capped centre is currently out of action with an ACL injury and may not play under his fellow South African at all this season.
He believes, however, that the former two-time Heineken Cup Champions may just have found the right man to lead them to their first piece of silverware since their Magners League title success in 2011.
“I spent a Rugby Championship and end of year tour with him, so I knew him. He is a very good coach. He is coming to the part of his career now where he is ready to take on the role of a head coach,” said Taute.
“He has been in the game for ages. He has been held in high regard and has been with some very successful teams.
Taute was effusive in his praise for the recently appointed Head Coach:
“He is a very good coach to work with so I am excited for that. He is ready now and no bigger challenge than coaching Munster. He has got his goals set, and the team have got their goal set of actually winning the trophies and not just competing in semi-finals and finals.”
Taute thinks the team, which has now been together for 18-20 months, is ready to reach a new level this season and beyond:
“The team has been together for 18 or 20 months now so it’s time to kick on.”