Starting in South Africa and expanding to international roles in Hungary, Japan, and now Dubai, Rocky Truter’s story is one of continuous learning and adapting.

Truter’s coaching career began in 2008 while he was playing rugby in Ireland. During the day, he coached at St. Andrews School, where one of his pupils, Andrew Porter, would go on to become a prop for Ireland and the British and Irish Lions. After an injury, Truter returned to South Africa and unexpectedly ran into the principal of Die Anker High School, located across from his parents’ home. This encounter led to Truter becoming a teacher and eventually the director of sports at the school.

His breakthrough in professional coaching came in 2009 when he attended a coaching course called “The Winning Way,” led by Eddie Jones and Jake White. This course detailed their strategies from the 2007 Rugby World Cup. Eddie Jones, impressed by Truter, invited him to Japan to work with Suntory. This stint marked Truter’s first international coaching experience and set the stage for his future opportunities.

International Coaching Experience

In 2013, Truter participated in an advanced coaching course with John Mitchell, who then invited him to join the Lions’ Curry Cup camp. This opportunity further honed Truter’s skills and led to his role as a coach for the J9 Legends team in the Dubai 7s. His first visit to Dubai in 2013 revealed the city’s burgeoning rugby scene.

Truter’s coaching journey then took him to Hungary, where he coached the national team, and back to Japan as an attack coach for Teikyo University. His coaching prowess grew, and he returned to Japan for another two-year term before the COVID-19 pandemic brought him to Dubai, full time. Despite the challenges, Truter’s journey continued, leading him to coach the Dubai Hurricanes, where he achieved a perfect season with an 11-0 record, albeit that year, the Hurricanes had dropped from the UAE Premiership into Division 1.

Truter attributes his success to three key elements: a strong work ethic, being a lifelong learner, and serving the players. He believes in constantly watching films and staying ahead of trends rather than merely copying top teams. This philosophy has guided his approach to coaching, helping him adapt to different environments and levels of play.

For Truter, coaching is about taking players from where they are to where they want to be. This servant leadership style emphasises the importance of understanding each player’s needs and helping them achieve their goals.

Truter’s time with the Japanese rugby team was marked by clear goals and significant progress. Japan aims to be a top-four team at the next Rugby World Cup, building on their recent quarter final appearance. Despite the team’s youth and relative inexperience compared to rugby powerhouses like England and South Africa, Truter praises their determination and progress. Japan’s ambitious goal is encapsulated in their new rallying cry, “Top Four.”

Applying Lessons in the UAE

Truter’s experience coaching at various levels has equipped him with valuable insights for amateur and club teams in the UAE. He emphasises the importance of understanding the current playing cycle, focusing on the basics, and being adaptable with a constantly changing roster. Simplifying the message for players is crucial, as is staying ahead of trends rather than merely following them.

Returning to Dubai, Truter is excited to continue his work with Barrelhouse Rugby Club. His objective is clear: to win the Division 1 league next season. He recognizes the talent in the UAE rugby scene but suggests that the league could benefit from a more compact schedule. He proposes dedicating the first part of the season to sevens rugby and the second part to a focused 15s season, allowing teams to maintain momentum.

Truter’s future plans include getting involved with the UAE national coaching setup. He believes the UAE team has the potential to excel, drawing parallels to the growth seen in teams like Georgia and Portugal at the last World Cup. Truter envisions the UAE team qualifying for the World Cup, leveraging his international coaching experience to add value to the setup.

Rocky Truter’s journey from a player in Ireland to an internationally recognized rugby coach in Dubai is a testament to his dedication, adaptability, and passion for the sport. His vision for the future of rugby in the UAE, combined with his extensive experience, positions him as a key figure in elevating the sport to new heights. Under his guidance, teams like Barrelhouse and the UAE national team have the potential to achieve remarkable success on the international stage.