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Cape Town - All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith says Springbok coach Peter De Villiers is an intelligent rugby man that should receive more credit.
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Smith told Die Burger newspaper at a press conference in Port Elizabeth that there lacks nothing with the Bok coach as a rugby man.
"I've come to know Peter over the last three years, especially in 2009 when we lost (three times) against the Springboks.
"My experience of Peter was that he truly is a good rugby man. I know some of his statements doesn't always come across that good, but that happens with all of us on occasion.
"His spirit is unbelievable. The people around him have a lot of time for him," said Smith.
Smith also believes De Villiers is successful because the players like him and the environment which he creates.
The Kiwi assistant believes many of the criticisms against the Bok coach in the past are unfair.
He says he views De Villiers as a "clever man" and that people get the wrong impression of him.
"He is much more shrewd as what people give him credit for," said Smith.
The Springboks tackle the All Blacks at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
WIN your very own personalised Bok jersey
Click to BUY the Springbok kitchen recipe book
Smith told Die Burger newspaper at a press conference in Port Elizabeth that there lacks nothing with the Bok coach as a rugby man.
"I've come to know Peter over the last three years, especially in 2009 when we lost (three times) against the Springboks.
"My experience of Peter was that he truly is a good rugby man. I know some of his statements doesn't always come across that good, but that happens with all of us on occasion.
"His spirit is unbelievable. The people around him have a lot of time for him," said Smith.
Smith also believes De Villiers is successful because the players like him and the environment which he creates.
The Kiwi assistant believes many of the criticisms against the Bok coach in the past are unfair.
He says he views De Villiers as a "clever man" and that people get the wrong impression of him.
"He is much more shrewd as what people give him credit for," said Smith.
The Springboks tackle the All Blacks at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
