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Cape Town - A rugby coach from Kimberley says the fact that he supports the All Blacks has nothing to do with his ability to coach the sport.
READ: 2 SA coaches snubbed - for supporting All Blacks
This comes after it was reported over the weekend that two coaches from Kimberley, who were in line to coach a Griquas schools team, will not be afforded the opportunity because they are staunch All Black supporters.
Netwerk24 reports that Deon Carney and his assistant Joe Molale were informed by the Griquas Rugby Union that they will not be allowed to coach Griquas’ Academy schools side in 2018.
The 26-year-old Carney told the Afrikaans website he was accused of misusing the system for own gain.
“The jersey I wear over weekends surely has nothing to do with my ability to coach. John Mitchell is a New Zealander and coaches the Bulls and I played under him for the Impi’s (University of KwaZulu-Natal). It doesn’t make sense to be,” he said.
According to SA Rugby's official website, Carney is a former loose forward who played Craven Week rugby for Griquas in 2008 and 2009.
He played for Griquas' senior side in the 2013 Vodacom Cup and in 2014 he represented UKZN in the Varsity Shield, before also playing for the Leopards in the Currie Cup First Division that same year.
In 2015, he was appointed as head of rugby at Northern Cape High School.
According to Netwerk24, he also had a stint at the Wellington Lions in New Zealand between 2010 and 2012.
Carney said he is a fan of the All Blacks’ playing style and tries to apply it at the school he coaches.
He said he was puzzled by Griquas' decision as he was assistant coach of their Craven Week team last year.
The union's management reportedly told him he needed to "rehabilitate".
“Should I go to Bloem Care or see a psychologist? I don’t understand how I should rehabilitate myself," Carney continued.
The coach confirmed that he has sought legal advice and has asked Griquas president Jannie Louw to provide an official charge sheet which details the rules he violated.
