Sunday, December 12, 2010
Brendan Venter's bizarre interview after loss to Racing Metro
The farcical interview came after his side went down 24-21 to Racing Metro in what was a disappointing home defeat for the London club. Sireli Bobo scored a great try to clinch it.
Venter, a former Springbok center and qualified doctor, has never been shy to speak his mind. He has somewhat of a history with the media, recently being fined 23 000 for his comments on refereeing standards after their game against Leinster.
So rather than say anything wrong, Venter chose to make a mockery of the clichd after match interview routine by repeating everything that was asked of him, using a sarcastic tone that left viewers gobsmacked and dodged answering the questions.
Unfortunately players and coaches arent allowed to say what they feel about matches and officials. They are fined if they speak their mind or give honest feedback when pushed by persistent interviewers who, at times, seem as though theyre oblivious to the regulations in place.
This latest episode wont go down too well though but it has provided another piece of comical entertainment for those who back the cause of being able to speak freely when asked to.
His sarcastic comments on Sireli Bobo's try were perhaps the bluntest part of the interview.
"Bit of Genius. A bit of magic. Sireli Bombo, very interesting, very good ja. Very good.. Three cheers for Sireli Bombo. Very good, very good," Venter said.
The coach announced earlier this month that hell be leaving his post at Saracens to return home to South Africa for family reasons. Whether this latest controversy has him in hot water or not remains to be seen.
Time: 0:59
Posted at 10:25 am | 82 comments
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Viewing 82 comments
goodNumber10 December 12, 2010 10:58 am

Fairplay to him to be honest.
Anonymous December 12, 2010 11:01 am

tonto137 October 12, 2011 6:36 pm

Anonymous December 12, 2010 11:05 am

Shaun December 12, 2010 11:23 am

Get a grip. You can speak your mind freely without suggesting that every loss isn't your fault. Or that the ref/ERC are crooked. Or abuse fans.
These are the things Brendan "I'm great me; Look at me; I'm a qualified Doctor don't you know" Venter was fined for, not "speaking freely". Speaking sh*te more like.
Childish, immature and proof that thank goodness he is going back to being a"qulaified doctor" (as RD and every other fawning media outlet repeatedly point out he is).
I want a biscuit December 12, 2010 11:35 am

Bas Horneman December 12, 2010 11:36 am

Shaun December 12, 2010 11:42 am

I agree. But the issue with BV was the childish (and I stick to it) "it wasn't my fault" attitude. Any match they lost was down to the referee, or rule changes or the conditions. Never, ever was his team second best on the day. That is what I fell is childish and immature.
Oh, and I as asked for my comments. It's a "comments" section
goodNumber10 December 12, 2010 11:52 am

He's never said at any point that someone was crooked.
he's a coach, he's passionate about his team and his rugby, if he feels decisions cost his side the game he should be able to say so, and question things he see wrong within the game.
It's funny how you feel it's fine to sit on a blog site and say what you feel yet mr, sorry Doctor, venter can't.
Hypocrite? I think you may just be.
Shaun December 12, 2010 11:56 am

Eh, good self promoting moniker there, are you sure you're not Venter?
And "it's not my fault" Venter is a doctor? My my, I never knew that...
Every coach is passionate. Most coaches will accept when their team hasn't performed well on the day. Venter doesn't.
Hypocrite? Maybe. And yet you don't want me to have my say and get personally abusive when there is a difference of opinion. Did your parents not show you enough affection as a toddler? Do you just need a big hug? There, there, go and have a nap, you'll be fine after
Shaun December 12, 2010 12:00 pm

Come on, admit it, you know you want t, it's the 1st step to recovery
"My name is averageNumber10ButIlikeToBigMyselfUp and I'm a Saffacens fan. It started when I fell in love with a big self-promoting Saffa called Brendan - or Brendie as I like to call him..."
Shaun December 12, 2010 1:04 pm

"Venter embarrassed himself and the club with that 'interview' - as a supporter of Saracens I'm actually quite glad he's buggering off if all he can contribute is a childish and petulant display of pedantry.
What's worse is that Saracens were dreadful for 70 minutes of the 80 and didn't deserve to get anything out of the game. Quite frankly the group table is a fair reflection of how we've played in the Heineken cup."
InMyHumbleOpinion December 12, 2010 1:47 pm

I would like to say that NOT ALL SOUTH AFRICANS ARE LIKE THIS BUT...a lot of comments I read after a South African Team or coach looses are:
- the ref was crap
- the rule changes are crap
- our coach is crap
- the quota system is crap
- Richie was offside...all the time!!!
Venter is exactly like that in my humble opinion. Surely he doesn't expect the rest of the world to take this seriously does he. Besides, in the SH he is going to get fined for those offences too. Didn't Matt Giteau get a punishment for a similar offence recently?!
Love SA rugby, just not fond of the mentality of some South Africans.
fry December 12, 2010 1:54 pm

But hey, at least you've got priorities.
Regarding the video, I thought it was a bit silly - funny yes, but I imagine if any NFL (or Stade Francais) coach were to respond like that when his team is losing major games...he certainly wouldn't be doing his job security any favors...but I guess if he's already decided he's leaving, I'm sure he's got no problem with letting his frustration be known. So good for him, then - I agree with goodNumber10's initial comment.
BigBucks December 12, 2010 1:55 pm

Bad tactic tho - once the interviewer knew he had got under Venters skin he just dug deeper and deeper.
Shaun December 12, 2010 2:01 pm

I have to let other comments go? Ignore comments on my comments?
Like yours?
I haven't responded to all comments fry, only those who had a go at mine - go and read. I started off by commenting on the article - then others came and had a go at my comments. Eh, including you....
Dutchrugbyplayer December 12, 2010 2:03 pm

seb December 12, 2010 2:43 pm

BV was obviously not happy and not in the mood for an interview, obviously he wasnt in for communication and every sensible person would have wished him success for the next couple of games and left him alone this interviewer got the wrong job if he cant even read this situation
wonder when will these journalists ever start asking good questions (question with some sort of backround knowledge, challenging and inquisitve rather), it is worse in other sports though
Anonymous December 12, 2010 2:47 pm

Anonymous December 12, 2010 3:06 pm

http://www.espn.co.uk/rugbyunion/sport/video_audio/61052.html?sport=2
Brendan Venter has done more for Saracens than any other director of rugby has done for their club. South Africans are passionate rugby supporters and passionate people. The UK has become so soft and afraid of standing up and saying what they think in public, that they have this culture of whingeing on blogs. I would trust Brendan Venter's judgement any day of the week ahead of yours.
John F December 12, 2010 3:09 pm

It probably would've been better for Venter to allow another member of the coaching staff to speak in his place if he really dislikes not being able to speak his mind.
Anonymous December 12, 2010 3:19 pm

Anonymous December 12, 2010 4:19 pm

goodNumber10 December 12, 2010 4:52 pm

"Hypocrite? Maybe. And yet you don't want me to have my say and get personally abusive when there is a difference of opinion. Did your parents not show you enough affection as a toddler? Do you just need a big hug? There, there, go and have a nap, you'll be fine after"
Er, where have I said you shouldn't have your say?
Personal abuse? Calling you a hypocrite is an observation not abuse - unlike your deranged rant at my parents and personality.
Saracens fan? nah, I wouldn't piss on their club house if it was on fire, wasps boy through and through.
control the rage mate, or don't post on blogs - they are NOT a good combination.
toodle pips!
Rich December 12, 2010 5:47 pm

Brendan Venter December 12, 2010 6:32 pm

Anonymous December 12, 2010 7:09 pm

Journalists should look for interesting points and not contraversial ones and coaches should try and be positive in their approach.
Whinging about refs and rules is something I'd rather leave to soccer, but fining someone for negative comments rather than having his club adress how he represents them on the screen is a bit over the top in my opinion, (and anti-constitutional by the way)
Anonymous December 12, 2010 7:26 pm

(u-p)rick December 12, 2010 7:38 pm

And yes reporters do ask some dumb questions....I have been trying to find the video on the net but i cannot remember the circumstances or who was involved.
I believe it was Andy Robinson after scotland just lost an extremely close game, the interview went on and then the reporter asked 'So Andy, Whats the mood like in the dressing room right now?' to which he replied 'what do you think?'
I quite admired that response as it was not rude, however highlighted the stupidity of the question.
conwick3 December 12, 2010 8:22 pm

Exasperated Individu December 12, 2010 8:52 pm

Anonymous December 12, 2010 9:15 pm

Also was a pretty accurate parody of typical coaches. Sounds like Warren Gatland.. or every other Welsh coach bar Dai Young. "Happy with the team, will look at ______. Disappointed not to have one."
More honest answers from coaches and interested interviewers please.
Jono December 12, 2010 10:41 pm

He has every right to do this.
If the tv ididots don't like coaches actually speaking their minds and telling the truth, this is what they egt.
Ridiculous, pointless interviews which serve no purpose.
Tom December 12, 2010 10:53 pm

It slows the game down and makes for shittier rugby. It leads to shittier rugby players. He was right.
No wonder he doesn't want to do interviews now, he just got fined thousands of dollars for telling the truth.
Huh!! the 3rd December 12, 2010 10:56 pm

RE: This
Its understandable in a way. He was actually right about the ref in Leinster game, but not in the way he went about it and got fined Eur23000 (which is huge considering Premier League coaches who earn 10 times Venter get 5g fines).
Anonymous December 13, 2010 12:38 am

Anonymous December 13, 2010 2:14 am

(u-p)rick December 13, 2010 4:28 am

Anyway, I just recalled another interview where I think a winger had been red carded for the weakest head butt ever on a hooker (winger was Tom Payne, Tim Payne? Idk) and the coach was intrrviewed after and asked abou the red card, he said something along the lines of 'well certainly in my day we didn't see hookers going down like that' and said that by the letter of the law it was probably a red..... I enjoy after match interviews and I think coachs and fans should remember there is a way to say things:
When politicians refer to terrorists we all know they mean 'spineless filthy little w*****s' yet they do not use that term...... Its a case of having tact
Jimbo December 13, 2010 5:24 am

Anonymous December 13, 2010 9:11 am

Nick December 13, 2010 9:24 am

Being passionate about something doesn't give you free reign to throw the toys out of the pram every time you get asked a question about why you didn't win.
Anonymous December 13, 2010 9:59 am

Ferry ferry goot !!!
8-)
Mata Hairy December 13, 2010 10:12 am

If he keeps working hard maybe one day he can be as well-qualified and experienced as former All Black captain David Kirk.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Kirk
edbok December 13, 2010 10:37 am

The ERC fine against him from earlier this year was harsh - I thought he was pretty constructive in that interview, making valid points about interpretations at the break-down, and to get fined for it was a severe punishment. If you are going to hold coaches to their media obligations, you've surely got to give them some latitude talk about the game - direct insults towards officials is obviously not on, but there has to be some allowance for critical comments, at the moment there is none and inevitably it took a guy like Venter to point this out.
If he gets fined again, maybe next time he can stand in front of the interviewer with his mouth covered and "Justice 4 Brendan" written on his forehead.
Anonymous December 13, 2010 10:45 am

http://www.mymovies.net/player/default.asp?filmid=1356&url=/film/fid1356/trailers/trid562/wm/high.asx
morgan December 13, 2010 11:08 am

Good enough for Matt Dawson, good enough for me.
goodNumber10 December 13, 2010 11:18 am

:(
Anonymous December 13, 2010 12:05 pm

Mike December 13, 2010 12:51 pm

(u-p)rick December 13, 2010 3:31 pm

cheyanqui December 13, 2010 5:04 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeVca9MwDX8
I'm just happy to be here, hope I can help the ball club.
View Video
Anonymous December 13, 2010 5:45 pm

mat December 13, 2010 10:59 pm

if he put as much effort into tactics ect then maybe the team could have done a bit better, sarries will be glad to get someone who is in it for the team when he's gone.
Anonymous December 13, 2010 11:38 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzZ2cf-3R7Q&feature=related
View Video
Jack December 14, 2010 7:49 am

Pirates Oldboy December 14, 2010 2:55 pm

Obviously the reaction was childish but this was clearly to make a point.
Anonymous December 14, 2010 8:45 pm

In the original post it says
'Sireli Bombo, very interesting, very good ja. Very good.. '
I have heard it before so i know its not a typo, but I have also seen it being used in reply to something funny:
'jajaja'
so im kinda lost as to what it means.
Im assuming the way venter used it was:
Yes - yeah - yah - ya - ja
Tom December 14, 2010 10:13 pm

And he has every right to answer interviewers any bloody way he wants to. The ERC are idiots.
The more you know... December 15, 2010 4:43 am

"Ja" means "yes" in Germanic languages - it's where "yea" originates from, and subsequently the English word "yes".
However, when you see it as "jajaja", that's the Spanish onomatopoeia for laughter, akin to "hahaha" in English.
morgan December 15, 2010 12:31 pm

No one know's do they? for all I know Dawson could be a complete arse and venter a real nice guy. Just that Dawson has always come across as a decent sort of bloke but to me (and a fair few others)Brendan comes across as nothing but ego. Not quite sure where you are going with sub-standard scrum half comment, I always thought he did fairly well at the game.
Anonymous December 15, 2010 12:57 pm

Pirates oldboy December 15, 2010 2:27 pm

You are aboslutley right when you say no one knows. I guess I just tried to defend Venter seeing that he is a fellow south african. I have no idea what the guy gets upto in his private live and only have post game interviews to judge him by which seems a bit unfair.
As for the sub-standard coment that might have been harsh and maybe my inner troll coming out.
Standard scrumhalf is propably more correct. Sub-Standard would be if you compared him to the best in the game like: Fourie du Preez, Justin Marshall, George Gregan or Joost van der Westhuizen. Then again they were the best.
morgan December 15, 2010 4:28 pm

All brilliant scrum halfs my friend. It's just for me, the world cup win and oustanding Lions performances (do you remember that dummy against the Boks) is what puts him right alongside those names.
Pirates Oldboy December 15, 2010 9:07 pm

Well that must be a very patriotic opinion, cause 99.9% of the time one of the guys I mentioned would be in a rugby legends all time xv. I think Dawson would have to fight numerous other scrummies to make the 0.1%. Its a insult to use Dawsons name in the same sentence as thiers.
A world cup medal isnt really much of a factor. South Africa have a lot of guys with RWC medals who should not have them. Kobus Wiese, Ballie Swart, Bobby Skinstad and Ricky Januarie to name a few.
No I dont remeber that dummy not that it wasnt memorable cause it is for you. Sorry
morgan December 16, 2010 11:18 am

Oh how these things escalate, before you know it, one is going tit for tat with a fellow rugby fan from across the globe.
You are most likely right. A player who has won Grand Slam's, Premiership titles, A World Cup Winner (including the first ever &7s world cup)and a lions Series in South Africa does not mean that he can be considered as one of the greats. What was I thinking.
You really should Youtube the try. I doubt you will see four blokes in green shirts as perplexed ever again.
Anonymous December 16, 2010 11:35 am

Pirtes Oldboy December 16, 2010 2:57 pm

I agree this may turn into a mudslinging contest. Congrats for keeping it civilised, cause it seems Im "attacking" a personal hero of yours. Whereas Venter is mearly a compatriot of mine.
Glad to see you agree with me that he isnt a legend or a rugby great ;) Take Richie McCaw for example he will certainly go into the history books as a legend even if he stops playing now. Even though he hasnt won a RWC yet.
As for the try I youtubed it, but the closest thing they have is a great run from Matthew Tate in the RWC 2007 final. Sorry I will request that Rugbydump upload that video. You can consider that a xmas gift from me to you, as I feel we had a nice conversation and am embarrassed that I didnt get you anything. Not to mention that Im a cheapscate.
Pirates Oldboy December 16, 2010 3:01 pm

Seems a dictionary might be a good gift for me.















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