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Mitchell settling in to South African life

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RugbyReg

RugbyReg

Rocky Elsom (76)
Staff member
Former All Blacks coach John Mitchell has been stabbed in a room invasion in South Africa.

A spokeswoman for Mitchell's Golden Lions rugby team, Krystle Geach, this morning confirmed the incident to Stuff.co.nz.

Mitchell was stabbed in an arm and leg in a struggle with two intruders in his Johannesburg apartment who tied the former All Black up.

He was found later by his friend who heard the noises and raised the alarm and has been treated and discharged from hospital.

Mitchell has been contracted to coach the Johannesburg-based team the Lions in the Super 15 competition next year after spending four years coaching the Perth-based Western Force.

He was appointed All Blacks coach in 2001 and led them to Tri-Nations titles in 2002 and 2003 as well as regaining the Bledisloe Cup off Australia in 2003. He was fired after the All Blacks failed to win the Rugby World Cup in 2003 and replaced by Graham Henry.

A New Zealand Rugby Union spokeswoman said they had no comment to make.

MORE DETAILS SOON....
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cyclopath

cyclopath

George Smith (75)
Staff member
Terrible news.
No offence to our SA members, but geez I'd want some danger money to go work there.
Hope he recovers quickly.
 
Hugh Jarse

Hugh Jarse

Rocky Elsom (76)
From the Herald:
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...ach-john-mitchell-stabbed-20101011-16ece.html

Former All Blacks coach John Mitchell has been stabbed at his apartment in South Africa after mistaking an intruder for his practical-joking flatmate.

Mitchell was stabbed twice, once in the upper arm and once in the thigh, during a scuffle with the intruder in his Johannesburg home, New Zealand news website Stuff reported today.

A spokeswoman for Mitchell’s Lions rugby team, Krystle Geach, said that Mitchell had been at home with his flatmate and fellow coach Wayne Taylor when he heard a strange noise.

‘‘Mitch heard someone coming into the room. He thought it was Wayne, because Wayne has quite a dry sense of humour, so he tackled the guy,’’Ms Geach said.

‘‘But it was an intruder, who stabbed him in the arm and the leg.’’Mitchell was taken to hospital, but was released after having his wounds stitched up, Ms Geach said.

‘‘He is otherwise ok, a little bit shocked but ok. He will be back at work tomorrow.’’

However, Taylor was still feeling guilty that Mitchell thought he would sneak up on him, she said.

‘‘He’s a little bit shocked too.’’

Both men were placed in temporary accommodation while local police investigated the break-in at their Hyde Park apartment.

Mitchell’s mobile phone and laptop were stolen by the intruder.

The Kiwi had been contracted to coach the Johannesburg-based team the Lions in the Super 15 competition next year after spending four years coaching the Perth-based Western Force.

He was appointed All Blacks coach in 2001 and led to Tri-Nations titles in 2002 and 2003 as well as regaining the Bledisloe Cup off Australia in 2003.

He was fired after the All Blacks failed bid to win the Rugby World Cup in 2003 and replaced by Graham Henry.
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Hugh Jarse

Hugh Jarse

Rocky Elsom (76)
Hugh Jarse said:
...
Mitchell’s mobile phone and laptop were stolen by the intruder..
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Anyone know where QC (Quade Cooper) is? ;)

Good to see that Mitch is OK. Not to good to see any footy player go down, even an ex Darkness player and head coach.
Makes you think doesn't it?
 
Ham

Ham

Sydney Middleton (9)
Perhaps one of their rivals wanted the laptop to have access to the secrets of the Lions awesome defensive drills...
 
Blue

Blue

Andrew Slack (58)
Terrible news. Unfortunately living in SA is like a lottery. You have to be 100% on your guard all the time.

My first question is did the Lions Union not make sure they assisted their coach in finding a very secure accommodation?

I am sure Mitch will be reviewing his situation. Nobody needs to live in fear like that.
 
Thomond78

Thomond78

Colin Windon (37)
It's Joburg. Since when has Joburg, and indeed the whole of Getagun, not been a violent kip?

This message was brought to you by the WC Separatist Movement - Blow the Passes NOW!
 
PaarlBok

PaarlBok

Rod McCall (65)
Just glad he did not paid with his life. Its a experiense you dont want to happen to your biggest enemy. Just hope he gave some of those criminals a charge office klap in the process.
 
Boomer

Boomer

Alfred Walker (16)
Blue said:
Honestly can't see how you can tell from those pictures but if two guys waltz in like that it's clearly not safe.

You would think the Lions would put foreign coaches in properly secured accomodation. This is so embarassing for SA.
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Just had a quick squizz on Street View. I mean, I know it's near Sandton and all but I'm thinking a bit more fence would be nice.
 
PaarlBok

PaarlBok

Rod McCall (65)
John on this one
Golden Lions Rugby Union head coach John Mitchell has spoken about the break in at his Hyde Park apartment on Saturday night, 9 October 2010 where he was stabbed in the thigh and upper arm.

Two intruders broke into the house shared by Mitchell and Wayne Taylor, conditioning coach of the GLRU, in the early hours of Sunday morning where they stole electronic appliances before fleeing.

Mitchell was taken to hospital in Sandton where he was treated and received stitches before being released. Mitchell returned to work this morning.

“I’m not feeling great, obviously, but my injuries are not too bad and I just thank God that they missed the artery in my leg when they stabbed me.

“This was a very unfortunate incident, and I wouldn’t wish it on any other person to be held hostage and woken in that manner by having an intruder in your room, feeling both your and your friends’ lives are in danger.

“The security at the complex was insufficient on Saturday night, as we have lived there safely for over three months. The security company has a lot to answer for with what happened to us.

“Possibly the worst part of the incident was not knowing if Tails [Wayne Taylor] was ok, or if he was even alive. Tails managed to climb out the window and call the police for help. This was the best thing he could have done, and I commend his decision to escape the apartment as he did not know if they were armed.

“I went for some trauma counseling on Sunday evening which was very beneficial, and I now have a process to work through on myself. I cannot dwell on this and I need to move forward.

“I am still very committed to the Lions. This is a beautiful country and I consider myself fortunate to have the opportunity to work here. I won’t let this deter my commitment or passion for the team, but I need to make sure that I am totally secure in where I live, as it is not at all nice waking up and having to defend your life.

“The players have been incredibly supportive, but I’m trying to not dwell too much on what has happened. I need to find closure now and move on with my life.

“Thank you to everyone from my colleagues to the media to supporters of the Lions for their support. It has been tremendous and I do appreciate every message”, John Mitchell said.
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