Neil Powell says the Blitzboks have shelved any emotions around his farewell after finishing preparations for his final tournament as head coach in the Sevens World Cup in Cape Town this weekend. DYLAN JACK reports.
The Sevens World Cup will be Powell’s last tournament as Blitzbok head coach as he will join the Sharks as director of rugby.
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Powell has been involved in Springbok Sevens either as a player or coach for 15 years, but made it clear at a media conference on Thursday that emotions around his farewell have been put on ice until after the weekend.
“It’s easy for me and the team to get distracted and shift our focus. It’s important for us to focus on the job at hand,” said Powell. “Goodbyes and tears we can do after this tournament. That was my viewpoint and focus going into this week, to not show my emotions to the team.
“To be honest, it’s been good. I was more emotional in the Commonwealth Games week than in this week thus far. We are really excited about the weekend. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play in a World Cup in your backyard.
“It will be tough after this weekend when you clean out your office and walk away. For now, the focus is the World Cup and that first game that we play against Germany or Chile.”
The Blitzboks on Wednesday evening confirmed their final 12-man squad for the tournament, with Ryan Oosthuizen and James Murphy omitted from the expanded 14-man squad.
“It has been a good week. Yesterday was a bit of a tough day, selecting the final 12 and letting two players know they are not in the World Cup squad,” said Powell. “That’s always tough and emotional. After those one-on-ones I had to take time for myself, just to regroup.
“I am happy with the team we have selected and am looking forward to the weekend. It’s the last one and then it’s done after 15 years in the system for me.
“It has been a good 15 years, there are a lot of stories, memories, and great people who became friends and it’s definitely something I will miss. Not just from a South African perspective, but also getting to know the coaches from the other teams and the players because you do become friends.”
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The Blitzboks will open their World Cup campaign against either Germany or Chile on Friday evening, but Powell is taking nothing for granted against the minnows.
“It is a tournament for the underdogs. They can come in here, try anything and if it works for them, they might beat one of the regular World Series teams.”
Powell added that he would enjoy nothing more than for the Blitzboks to go all the way to the final, saying the team will do their best to shake off the nerves of playing in front of their home support.
“How amazing would it be if we could for one last time sing Nkosi Sikelel’i? That would be great, but we also know that life isn’t always a fairytale,” said Powell.
“You can choose what you want to focus on going into this tournament. I am not saying that there won’t be pressure or that we won’t be nervous going into any of the games.
“For us, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that we have to pitch up for. That’s what we have spoken about this whole week.
“The preparation has gone well with the players and we as coaches will also do our preparation on the opposition. If we can get that right and marry the two, we will function out of a place of confidence instead of fear.”
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Photo: Twitter: @Blitzboks
