Ex-All Black’s appointment to Munster coaching staff defended by under-fire province after rape allegation resurfaces
Roger Randle in his role as Chiefs assistant coach (inset) and in action for the All Blacks Sevens team as a player.
Munster Rugby have been forced to defend their decision to appoint former New Zealand wing Roger Randle to their backroom staff as an attack coach.
This, after the 51-year old’s appointment reportedly caused uneasiness at the Irish province.
Randle, who currently serves as an assistant coach with Super Rugby Pacific club the Chiefs, is set to join Munster next season, subject to him obtaining a work permit, as a replacement for the United Rugby Championship (URC) outfit’s departing senior coach Mike Prendergast, who is joining PREM Rugby champions Bath.
The controversy from Randle‘s appointment stems from him being accused of raping a woman in Durban in 1997 during his playing career with the Hurricanes while visiting the South African city for a Super Rugby match against the Sharks.
Always maintained his innocence
Randle has always maintained his innocence and the case against him was eventually dropped when the woman withdrew the charge, although she stood by her allegation.
Since he was linked to the role as Prendergast’s replacement as Munster’s attack coach, details of the incident have resurfaced on social media and there has been a backlash from fans.
Apart from the Hurricanes, Randle also represented the Chiefs at Super Rugby level and he made two appearances for the All Blacks in 2001 and 2002 while also making appearances for the All Blacks Sevens and Maori teams during his playing career.
Current Munster boss Clayton McMillan, who previously worked as the head coach at the Chiefs with Randle as one of his assistants, is believed to have pushed for the ex-All Black’s appointment along with the province’s general manager Ian Costello.
According to a report in The Irish Independent, three independent members of Munster’s Professional Game Board, ex-players Billy Holland, Mick O’Driscoll and Killian Keane have resigned from their positions in objection to Randle’s appointment.
The aforementioned trio’s departures have been confirmed by Munster and club sources indicated they were unhappy with the process to replace Prendergast.
Randle’s appointment was confirmed by Munster on Wednesday, and the province addressed the controversy around the rape accusations which resurfaced recently.
“Munster Rugby is aware of a historical matter concerning newly appointed coach Roger Randle from 1997,” read a statement from the URC side.
‘No legal process was pursued’
“At the time, no legal process was pursued, and the matter was closed.
“Munster Rugby carried out due diligence during this recruitment process and are satisfied with the appointment which has been ratified and approved.”
Randle has been part of the Chiefs’ coaching staff since 2019 and if he joins Munster next season, he will work directly with the province’s skills and assistant attack coach Mossy Lawler.
McMillan is looking forward to working with his former Chiefs assistant again.
“I’m very pleased that Roger will be joining Munster Rugby this Summer,” he said. “I have worked with Roger for many years, and he has always demonstrated an incredible work-ethic and ingenuity when it comes to the attack aspect of the game.
“We are thrilled to have him come on board and believe he will complement the already excellent work that Mossy Lawler is doing on a day-to-day basis.”
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Costello echoed McMillan’s sentiments.
“We’re delighted to confirm that Roger will join Munster Rugby this summer. We have recruited an attack coach with considerable experience, not just at Super Rugby level but on the international stage as well,” he said.
“We’re excited to see the impact he will have on the team working alongside Mossy and I’m looking forward to welcoming Roger to the province when he arrives in Ireland this summer.”
Randle said: “I am incredibly excited to be joining a prestigious club like Munster who have such a rich history and incredible supporters.
“I’m really looking forward to reuniting with Clayton but my focus for now is on the Chiefs and having a successful end to the season.”