Lions saga: CEO Straeuli accused of interfering in team selection, game plans - report

The Lions saga rumbled on this week after a report emerged alleging that CEO and former Springbok head coach Rudolf Straeuli constantly interfered in matters within his coaches' remit, such as team selection and game plans.

Digital publication Rugby365 reported that the mutinous atmosphere at the Ellis Park-based outfit was growing, despite the team putting up a stunning performance in the United Rugby Championship (URC) by beating the Bulls at Loftus a few weeks ago.

This was after reports surfaced that Lions players were unhappy with some of the coaching staff, including senior head coach Ivan "Cash" van Rooyen, stemming from a MyPlayers survey in which they rated their mentor four out of 10.

Players were said to have "lack of faith" in some of their coaching staff.

Coaches have now reportedly retaliated with their own grievances directed at the CEO, Straeuli, and contracts and operations manager, Tracy van Ginkel.

Straeuli held a meeting during which these grievances were thrashed out, according to the report, where the coaches listed their gripe with the CEO's "ongoing interference and involvement in training schedules, game plans and selection".