Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is playing the refereeing game better than anyone, according to former All Blacks captain Kieran Read.
Erasmus and New Zealand counterpart Dave Rennie have traded verbal blows through the media over officiating during the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, particularly around the scrum following the Boks’ 33-26 victory in Cape Town.
Rennie again questioned the Boks’ scrum tactics after the second Test, claiming they were able to “walk around” and attack New Zealand’s tightheads.
That drew a furious response from Erasmus: “We’re not f**king walking around!” He insisted the Boks scrum straight and accused the All Blacks of attempting to create a narrative through the media.
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While some have criticised Erasmus’ approach, Read was more understanding.
“I don’t mind it because all he’s trying to do is influence slightly what’s going to come in the next two Tests around refereeing decisions,” the 127-Test All Black said on the GBRANZ podcast.
“They’re going to watch Dave Rennie complain about their angles, so both of them are planting little seeds for the refereeing teams to maybe look at when they’re reviewing the footage.
“It’s part of it and with Rassie you’ve got to expect it. Coaches have been doing this for a long time, but Rassie is the absolute king of it.”
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Erasmus also kept the All Blacks guessing with changes to his team in the buildup to the Cape Town Test, including reshuffling his entire starting front row shortly before kick-off.
“He was up and down this week, wasn’t he? Making changes the day of the game, just as he’s handing in the team sheet half-an-hour before kick-off,” Read said.
“It’s his reasoning and he’s good at telling his story and good at the narrative around it.
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“The thing around that, though, is that if this was a World Cup game or maybe a Nations Championship, you can’t do that, you’ve got to name your team [48 hours before] and that’s what it’s got to be,” Read added. “You can’t swap out unless there are injuries.”
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
The post Ex-All Blacks captain: Rassie is the absolute king appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is playing the refereeing game better than anyone, according to former All Blacks captain Kieran Read.
The post Ex-All Blacks captain: Rassie is the absolute king appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
