When Pat Howard left to return to Australia in 2001 a huge void was left at Inside Centre and backs coach. On Pat's recommendation, former Wallaby international Rod Kafer was brought in to fill both roles. It would be fair to say that Rod never really won the crowd over, as his game was a more direct, play the phases kind of game, which was instilled into the rest of the team by virtue of him being backs coach. However it shouldn't be forgotten that there was a lot of good he did as well. Whilst his style of play may not have been pretty it did hold the backs together and did lead in his first season to another Premiership and Heineken Cup double, and his accurate kicking for the corner from penalties never let us down, and he also did a lot to develop players such as Ollie Smith, who probably developed most by playing with Rod.
Alas his time at Tigers wasn't a vintage one when all was said and done, and he was released in the summer of 2003 after helping Tigers beat Saracens in the Wildcard final at Franklins Gardens against Saracens, ironically to join Saracens. Surprisingly, before the season started Rod was named as Saracens Director of Rugby, but lasted little longer than a year before being ousted from his role.
Players who Shook the Crumbie #29: Rod Kafer
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The only way Kafer shook the Crumbie was when his ample frame ran into it on one occasion
He was an ok player, but when you are replacing an absolute star you are never going to win the crowd over. Had it been the other way round (Kafer first and then Howard), we would probably remember him quite fondly.
He was an ok player, but when you are replacing an absolute star you are never going to win the crowd over. Had it been the other way round (Kafer first and then Howard), we would probably remember him quite fondly.
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