Leinster vs Munster | Guinness PRO14 Final 2021
The official matchday programme of the Guinness Pro14 Final 2021
Leinster vs Munster
27th March 2021 | RDS Arena
The official matchday programme of the Guinness Pro14 Final 2021
Leinster vs Munster
27th March 2021 | RDS Arena
GUINNESS PRO14 FINAL JOHANN VAN GRAAN MUNSTER’S CHOICE OF JOHANN VAN GRAAN COULD BE ABOUT TO PAY OFF HANDSOMELY AS THEY STAND ON THE BRINK OF A FIRST GUINNESS PRO14 TITLE IN A DECADE. When he was handed the Thomond Park reins following the departure of Rassie Erasmus in 2017, some saw the South African as an outside-thebox appointment. With no top-level playing - or indeed head coaching - experience behind him, Van Graan’s route to the Munster top job stands in stark contrast to that of Leinster counterpart Leo Cullen, who will be his opposite number in Saturday’s final at the RDS. While Cullen enjoyed a distinguished playing career, winning four Celtic League/PRO12 titles, three Heineken Cups and a Challenge Cup with Leinster and the English Premiership with Leicester, Van Graan has followed an altogether different path. Having started out as a video analyst with the Blue Bulls team, where his father was CEO, Van Graan eventually took up a position as forwards and attack coach with the Currie Cup and Super Rugby sides, working under Heyneke Meyer - who once described Van Graan as “probably the best appointment I’ve ever made” - and Frans Ludeke. The Bulls won three Super Rugby titles with Van Graan on the staff – in 2007, 2009 and 2010 - and he linked up with Meyer once again in 2012 when his mentor was appointed as Springboks head coach. Known for his attention to detail and people skills, Van Graan again progressed from the role of technical adviser to that of forwards coach, helping guide South Africa into the 2015 Rugby World Cup, when they finished third. Van Graan was the only member of the coaching staff to survive a shake-up following that tournament, continuing to work with the Springboks under new boss Allister Coetzee despite reported interest from Bath and his old side the Bulls. 44 27|03|21 RDS ARENA | DUBLIN
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- Page 2 and 3: GUINNESS PRO14 FINAL CEO Martin Ana
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GUINNESS <strong>PRO14</strong> FINAL<br />
JOHANN<br />
VAN GRAAN<br />
MUNSTER’S CHOICE OF JOHANN VAN<br />
GRAAN COULD BE ABOUT TO PAY OFF<br />
HANDSOMELY AS THEY STAND ON THE<br />
BRINK OF A FIRST GUINNESS <strong>PRO14</strong><br />
TITLE IN A DECADE.<br />
When he was handed the Thomond<br />
Park reins following the departure<br />
of Rassie Erasmus in 2017, some saw<br />
the South African as an outside-thebox<br />
appointment.<br />
With no top-level playing - or indeed<br />
head coaching - experience behind<br />
him, Van Graan’s route to the <strong>Munster</strong><br />
top job stands in stark contrast to<br />
that of <strong>Leinster</strong> counterpart Leo<br />
Cullen, who will be his opposite<br />
number in Saturday’s final at the RDS.<br />
While Cullen enjoyed a distinguished<br />
playing career, winning four Celtic<br />
League/PRO12 titles, three Heineken<br />
Cups and a Challenge Cup with<br />
<strong>Leinster</strong> and the English Premiership<br />
with Leicester, Van Graan has<br />
followed an altogether different path.<br />
Having started out as a video analyst<br />
with the Blue Bulls team, where his<br />
father was CEO, Van Graan eventually<br />
took up a position as forwards and<br />
attack coach with the Currie Cup and<br />
Super Rugby sides, working under<br />
Heyneke Meyer - who once described<br />
Van Graan as “probably the best<br />
appointment I’ve ever made” - and<br />
Frans Ludeke.<br />
The Bulls won three Super Rugby<br />
titles with Van Graan on the staff – in<br />
2007, 2009 and 2010 - and he linked<br />
up with Meyer once again in 2012<br />
when his mentor was appointed as<br />
Springboks head coach.<br />
Known for his attention to detail<br />
and people skills, Van Graan again<br />
progressed from the role of technical<br />
adviser to that of forwards coach,<br />
helping guide South Africa into the<br />
2015 Rugby World Cup, when they<br />
finished third.<br />
Van Graan was the only member<br />
of the coaching staff to survive a<br />
shake-up following that tournament,<br />
continuing to work with the<br />
Springboks under new boss Allister<br />
Coetzee despite reported interest<br />
from Bath and his old side the Bulls.<br />
44<br />
27|03|21 RDS ARENA | DUBLIN
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