Nick Mallet To Visit Lagos.

In a vote of confidence in the future of rugby in Nigeria one of the world’s most respected international rugby coaches, Nick Mallett, is to share his twenty odd years of experience  with a select group of rugby coaches at a clinic in Lagos this month.

Mallett, who was raised in Zimbabwe before moving to South Africa, has coached professional rugby at the highest levels of the game for over two decades in South Africa, France and Italy. Along the way Mallett, who also played two internationals as a South African Springbok in 1984, lead South Africa to a record 17 consecutive international victories.

His final score card as a Springbok coach reads 27 wins from 38 internationals. Later he coached Stade Francais to back to back championships in the smoking cauldron of the French premier rugby league.

Mallett will be coming to Lagos as a guest of the Nigerian Rugby Football Federation where he will be guest of honour and the keynote speaker at a gala dinner at The Wheatbaker Hotel in Ikoyi.

Before sharing his unique insights with Nigerian coaches, Mallett will address businessmen and sponsors at a breakfast meeting at the Southern Sun on 30th April.

Mallett excelled academically during his post graduate studies at Oxford University after graduating from the University of Cape Town where he read English and History.  His influence on the game proves that rugby is a game of brains… and brawn.

Having cut his teeth coaching club rugby with False Bay in Cape Town in the mid-eighties Mallet rose up the ranks before being given the top coaching job in South Africa.  Between August 1997 and December 1998, under Mallett's guidance, the Springboks went on a record winning streak of 17 consecutive test wins.

 As part of the unbeaten run the Springboks won the Tri Nations Series (Australia, New Zealand & South Africa) undefeated and beat several teams by record margins, including a 52–10 against France in Paris, a 68–10 win over Scotland in Edinburgh a 33–0 defeat of Ireland and a 96–13 drubbing against Wales.

Speaking from South Africa Mallett expressed his enthusiasm about his visit to Nigeria. “I have always believed Nigeria could become a great rugby nation.

They have all the ingredients for success, they are big and fast which is what every coach is looking for. I always admired Nigerians such as Victor Ubogu who excelled for England in the 1990’s. I am very excited about coming to Lagos and working with the NRFF.”