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Ackermann quits Gloucester for switch to Japanese Top League

(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Gloucester have announced the departure of head coach Johan Ackermann, who will join Japanese club NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes in July. The South African came to the Gallagher Premiership club at the start of the 2017/18 season from the Lions. 

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He took Gloucester to the final of the European Challenge Cup in his first season and the following season ended with the club in third place in the Premiership, thus qualifying for a second successive season of European Champions Cup rugby.

Ackermann explained: “Being head coach of Gloucester has been a tremendous privilege for me and I have loved every minute of it. Working with such a fantastic group of players and coaches has been a great experience. 

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“I would especially like to thank Martin (St Quinton, the club chairman) for the faith that he has shown in me. His support and friendship have meant a lot to me. Gloucester fans are a truly unique group, and I will always cherish the memories I have of being at Kingsholm. I wish the club nothing but the best.”

Gloucester chairman St Quinton added: “I’d look to put on record our thanks to Johan for the significant contribution he’s made to the club over the three seasons he’s been with us. 

“His infectious enthusiasm for the game, as well as his in-depth rugby knowledge, made him not only a fans’ favourite, but a strong leader of our playing department. I wish him every success in his new venture.”

David Humphreys, director of rugby, said: “While I’m sorry to see Johan leave Gloucester, I fully understand his reasons for doing so. Johan approached Martin and me to say that he had received a number of coaching opportunities which, for personal reasons, he would like to consider and we agreed to his request.

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“In his three years at Gloucester, Johan transformed the way we play the game and his ‘play to inspire’ philosophy will leave a lasting impact from his time at the club. I know it was a difficult decision for him to leave Gloucester and I’ve no doubt he’ll make a real difference with the Red Hurricanes in Japan.”

In light of Ackermann’s departure and the implications arising from Covid-19, the Gloucester board have discussed a new coaching structure for the playing department and will make an announcement once appropriate consultations have taken place.

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Bull Shark 4 minutes ago
Rassie Erasmus' Boks selection policy is becoming bizarre

To be fair, the only thing that drives engagement on this site is over the top critiques of Southern Hemisphere teams.


Or articles about people criticizing southern hemisphere teams.


Articles regarding the Northern Hemisphere also tend to be more positive than critical. I guess to also rile up kiwis and Saffers who seem to be the majority of followers in the comments section.


Despite being dialled into the Northern edition - I know sweet fokall about what’s going on in France.


And even less than fokall about what’s cutting in Japan - which has a fast growing, increasingly premium League competition emerging.


And let’s not talk about the pacific. Do they even play rugby Down there.


Oh and the Americas. I’ve read more articles about a young, stargazing Welshman’s foray into NFL than I have anything related to either the north and south continents of the Americas.


I will give credit that the women’s game is getting g decent airtime. But pat of the above is just pathetic coming from a World Rugby website.


Just consider the innovation emerging in Japan with the pedigree of coaches over there.


There’s so much good we could be reading.


Instead it’s unimaginative “critical for the sake of feigning controversial”. Which is lazy, because in order to pull that off all you need to be really good at is:


1. Being a doos;

2. Having an opinion.


No prior experience needed.


Which is not journalism. That’s like all or most of us in the comments section.


Anyway. Hopefully it will get better. The game is growing and the interest in the game is growing. Maybe it will attract more qualified journalists over time.

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