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Port Elizabeth - The EP Kings are reluctant to state whether former Springbok De Wet Barry will stay with them in a coaching or playing capacity.
Die Burger newspaper reports that questions regarding the injury-blighted Barry’s playing career loom large in the Eastern Cape rugby community after a press conference organised to clear the air was cancelled shortly before journalists were to gather to put pen to paper.
It is widely regarded as a given that Barry, 33, will take over as the coach of the Kings’ defence when he calls time on his playing career.
He took over the reigns as defence coach last year when a shoulder injury kept him on the sidelines for four and a half months.
His name even appears with this title on the list of personnel in the EP Rugby Union’s annual report.
Even though he lasted only 25 minutes on his return to action before pulling up with another shoulder injury, Barry also remains on the list of eligible squad players.
“Injuries are a part of rugby,” Barry wrote on the Kings' website.
Kings coach Alan Solomons declined to comment on Barry’s chances of playing again, fuelling rumours of Barry’s new role as non-playing coach.
The other eligible centres in the Kings' squad are Jaco Bekker, Siyanda Grey, Wayne Stevens and Matthew Tayler-Smith.
Paul Perez (wing), Shane Gates (flyhalf) and Tiger Mangweni (fullback) could also be considered for the position.
Die Burger newspaper reports that questions regarding the injury-blighted Barry’s playing career loom large in the Eastern Cape rugby community after a press conference organised to clear the air was cancelled shortly before journalists were to gather to put pen to paper.
It is widely regarded as a given that Barry, 33, will take over as the coach of the Kings’ defence when he calls time on his playing career.
He took over the reigns as defence coach last year when a shoulder injury kept him on the sidelines for four and a half months.
His name even appears with this title on the list of personnel in the EP Rugby Union’s annual report.
Even though he lasted only 25 minutes on his return to action before pulling up with another shoulder injury, Barry also remains on the list of eligible squad players.
“Injuries are a part of rugby,” Barry wrote on the Kings' website.
Kings coach Alan Solomons declined to comment on Barry’s chances of playing again, fuelling rumours of Barry’s new role as non-playing coach.
The other eligible centres in the Kings' squad are Jaco Bekker, Siyanda Grey, Wayne Stevens and Matthew Tayler-Smith.
Paul Perez (wing), Shane Gates (flyhalf) and Tiger Mangweni (fullback) could also be considered for the position.
