Springbok Mobi Unit coach Duane Vermeulen says one All Blacks legend stood out head and shoulders above the rest during his international career.
Vermeulen, who came up against some of New Zealand’s finest players, had little hesitation when asked to identify former All Blacks captain Kieran Read as the one he regards the highest.
“I think it’s pretty simple. He also won two World Cups for them, he was their captain,” Vermeulen said of Read on the Boks Unpacked X The Verdict podcast.
“You can go Zinzan Brooke as well, but I think in my era and the guys I’ve played against, Kieran Read is definitely the guy that stands out.
“He’s a fantastic guy.”
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Vermeulen also mentioned former All Blacks enforcer Sione Lauaki, but ultimately felt Read’s all-round impact separated him from the pack.
The former Bok No 8 also offered an insight into how Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has changed over the past two decades.
While the competitive fire remains, Vermeulen believes Erasmus has become more calculated in the way he applies it.
“Over the years he’s toned down a little bit, but that competitive edge is still there,” Vermeulen said.
“But now it’s more of a mental edge. He can get into some guys’ heads and it becomes a shambles. When he coaches, he’s pretty hands-on and everyone receives the message.”
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That approach extends beyond Erasmus himself, according to Vermeulen, who believes the strength of the Springbok coaching set-up comes from the absence of egos.
He compared the coaching environment to the way the players operate.
“It’s exactly the same as the players. Everyone brings their special ability or what they have to the pot, and everyone eats out of the same pot,” he said.
“Everyone brings his special attributes to the game and if there’s something new, there’s no egos.
“Everyone buys in and says, ‘OK, we do this.’”
Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
The post Duane names his All Blacks GOAT appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Springbok Mobi Unit coach Duane Vermeulen says one All Blacks legend stood out head and shoulders above the rest during his international career.
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