KUALA LUMPUR: Former player Marc Le has blasted the national rugby coaches in a scathing report to the Malaysian Rugby Union (MRU).
Amid Malaysia’s crushing defeats to South Korea and Hong Kong in the Asian Championship this month, Marc claimed that the national coaches have “failed” on the principles of professionalism, togetherness, accountability and respect.
Marc helped Malaysia emerge as Asian Rugby Championship (ARC) Division One champions last year for the first-time in history. He withdrew from the squad just three days before Malaysia’s campaign in the ARC to earn a slot to the 2019 World Cup.
Marc described the coaching staff (excluding Brad Mika), led by head coach Lee Nyuk Fah, as being "not educated enough” to plan programmes properly.
"Giving a daily schedule within inadequate time frames. For example, while in New Zealand (team training), I had expected a full two-week itinerary of training, games and activities.
“Instead, same as last year, we were given our daily schedule for the next day on the evening of the current day (sometimes at 11pm). This makes it very hard for players to mentally and physically prepare for a training session at 9am the next day.
"Feedback was also given to me from players stating that there were too many gym sessions and not enough skill/field training during the beginning phases of the campaign (Nov 2017-Feb 2018). This ultimately comes down to coaches having to communicate with players, which throughout this campaign, was non-existent,” Marc wrote.
Marc alleged that the national players' welfare was being taken lightly with lack of consideration to their rest and food, sleeping arrangement, and that the players were not treated equally.
"The accommodation in Auckland (College Rifles) was acceptable when staying in the dormitories but there were times when we needed to relocate to the hall and all share mattresses in one room.
"Before I arrived, it was brought to my attention that after coming off a delayed flight from Malaysia-Gold Coast-Auckland, the players had to sleep in College Rifles' cafeteria and filthy changing sheds because all accommodation was occupied by other users.
"The flight from Malaysia to Gold Coast is eight hours, players were not given a pre-ordered meal on this flight. Unfortunately, their flight was delayed for 12 hours before they boarded their final flight to Auckland which was another three hours.
"Therefore, some players arrived in Auckland after 23 hours without having a proper meal and (suffering from) exhaustion. This is not acceptable. Obviously the flight delay is out of everyone's control but to simply purchase a pre-ordered meal for the players would have relieved some of their ‘starvation’ on this journey."
Marc, who has played professional rugby in New Zealand and Japan, alleged that the foreign players were put on a pedestal and favoured by the coaching staff, as they turned a blind eye to discipline.
"Several players were not held accountable for their actions. For example, during the North Harbour game review on March 18, several ‘foreign’ players were drinking alcohol continued from the night before. The coaches and management ignored them and allowed the behaviour to continue.
“This sets a poor standard within the team environment and once again, no disciplinary action was taken."
Marc gave a depiction of the 'foreign' players doing as they please and not abiding by protocols in their contract as well as disrepecting the team and players.
The 'foreign' players were subsequently slapped a two-game stand down but it was also hinted Nyuk Fah had dooped the coaching staff in regards to player selection.
"In the first squad announcement to play Korea (April 20), he (Nyuk Fah) undermined other coaching staff and lief to players by selecting a 23-man squad, which includes the two ineligible players.
"This allowed the two ineligible players to keep their salary," he wrote.
It was also highlighted the local players are earning RM2,000 a month while the 'foreign' players earn an additional RM500 but when Marc pressed for answers, MRU said the foreign players are "away" from their family and needs to be compensated.
"This is an unreasonable explanation as many of the local players are away from their own families and sacrificing just as much."
Meanwhile, Marc admitted that withdrawing from the national team was the toughest decision he had to make, and he felt robbed of an opportunity to don the Malaysian jersey but he hopes his written report will be evaluated seriously.
"I just hope that some good comes (out) from my report because I would love to play for Malaysia again some day. It's a shame I wasn't there this time around. I really do miss my teammates.
“What I hope to achieve, it's always been the same, for the improvement of rugby in Malaysia and the welfare of player, equality and in treatment as well," he said.