Jacques Nienaber casts doubt on Leinster future amid media and fan criticism

Jacques Nienaber has cast doubt on his Leinster future after claiming he does not feel valued by the media and fans in Ireland.

The South African joined the Irish province as a senior coach at the end of 2023 after helping his country win back-to-back World Cups.

And while Nienaber - working alongside head coach Leo Cullen - helped Leinster reclaim the United Rugby Championship title last year using the blitz defence from his time with the Springboks, a fifth Champions Cup has continued to elude the club during his spell.

Speaking before Leinster's URC semi-final against the Stormers on Saturday (17:30 BST), the 53-year-old - who is under contract until the end of the 2026-27 season - was asked if he will still be in his position next season.

"Let me put it to you this way: who fires you? Do you know who fires you? The public, the media. They fire you. Not the CEO, not Shane [Nolan]," he said via RTE, external.

"He doesn't fire me, but you guys fire us. Fire all coaches, because the pressure builds up and builds up, and the fan then builds the pressure on them, and then they just ask this and say, 'listen lads, I think we must part ways'.

"Your question is, am I going to be here? I hope so. Currently, I'm not sure, to be honest, because people don't value me here. They don't."

Asked if Cullen values his contributions, Nienaber added: "It's not for Leo [to value me]. People don't value...the moment you lose the team or the fan, you've got to go. The moment you lose the changing room or the club, the fanbase, you've got to go.

"You could just hang there and take your cheque, but no. They don't want you there."