Leo Cullen: Jacques Nienaber 'fully committed' for next season

JACQUES ATTACK: Cullen says senior coach Jacques Nienaber is here to stay. Pic: Tom O’Hanlon/Inpho

Leo Cullen is confident that a “fully committed” Jacques Nienaber will still be at Leinster next season, the head coach declaring that the province is lucky to have the two-time World Cup-winning coach on the books.

Nienaber is contracted through to the summer of 2027. On Monday he expressed the hope that his term would be seen out while expressing some doubt about that due to pressure from the public and media.

“I don’t feel valued here,” Nienaber had said.

“Listen, Jacques is brilliant. I have to say I've really enjoyed working with Jacques. We have a great group of coaches here. We have a great group of staff as well. There are so many great people in the buildings here. It's a very enjoyable place to work.

“I wouldn't even call it work to be honest,” said Cullen ahead of Saturday’s URC semi-final against the Stormers. “It's a very enjoyable place to turn up and coach and prepare a great group of players. I think Jacques is brilliant and we're very lucky to have him.

Head coach Cullen says Leinster are lucky to have the double World Cup winner on their ticket. Pic: Grace Halton/Inpho

“In terms of the experience that he has top-end of the game, it speaks for itself as a double World Cup winner. It's all different things that I would have researched in terms of bringing Jacques here in the first place. Everything checks out.

“He's a brilliant person, a brilliant individual to work with.” And Cullen made it clear that Nienaber’s doubts emanated entirely from noise outside the building with the South African having explained how CEOs and clubs can have their heads turned by a build-up of criticism.

“I think what he was referring to is that there are no guarantees in sport, is there? What I think he was trying to get across was that when there is a lot of flak on the team from media sometimes a club will make changes.

“In his own mind I think he is fully committed to Leinster so please don’t get confused by that.” It’s been an extraordinary week in the life of Leinster with Nienaber’s media dealings following on from two fascinating dealings between Cullen himself and the fourth estate where the latter reiterated his own commitment to Leinster going forward.

Cullen, like Nienaber, is contracted to the summer of 2027 and, while the smoke being generated by their own public utterances hasn’t helped them lately, the head coach explained that none of it has been calculated.

Head of Athletic Development Charlie Higgins and assistant attack coach Tyler Bleyendaal talk shop with Nienaber at training. Pic: Grace Halton/Inpho

“It is what it is. After a loss, Jacques and I and the rest of the staff want to step up for the team. That’s important because we don’t want them to be kicked around. Leinster will be the priority for us, always. We just have to go back and prepare.

“Internally there are no issues going on. It’s just business as usual trying to learn from previous games. We had a big win [against the Lions] at the weekend and it’s just making sure we don’t get lured into poor habits that will cost you in other, bigger games.

“Coming off a loss it was still very fresh in our minds but we just need to keep improving and I have to say that the attitude of our players has been great. This is our sixth knockout game this weekend and it does take a toll.

“We have picked up a few niggles and knocks but the flip side is some guys who missed last week are back now with a bit of freshness. The Stormers are a serious outfit and we have to be crystal clear on what’s required this weekend.”