New Zealand Herald rugby writer Gregor Paul says Rassie Erasmus’ “dubious behaviour” could turn the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series “toxic”.
Paul argues that the Springbok coach’s approach during the build-up to Saturday’s first Test at Ellis Park suggests he is feeling the pressure of facing a resurgent All Blacks team under Dave Rennie.
“For the first time in a long time, Rassie Erasmus appears to be running a little scared – indulging in pre-Test antics to patently influence the match officials,” Paul wrote in the New Zealand Herald.
He pointed to Erasmus appearing alongside Bok laws adviser Jaco Peyper at Monday’s press conference, where the former Test referee explained the laws governing the time allowed to form lineouts.
Erasmus also rejected suggestions that the Boks deliberately slow matches down, while assistant coach Felix Jones subsequently highlighted feedback from South African URC clubs about alleged illegal All Blacks tactics at the breakdown and defending mauls.
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Paul views those interventions as an orchestrated attempt to influence how Saturday’s Test will be officiated by English referee Matthew Carley.
“Erasmus is innovative and intuitive and he’s been a brilliant character for the world game in the past decade, but the way he has defaulted to dubious behaviour has the potential to turn this series toxic,” he wrote.
“Watching Erasmus this week as he conducted a poorly conceived campaign to influence the referees felt very much ‘advantage All Blacks’.”
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Paul contrasted Erasmus’ current approach with his dealings with former All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. The Boks won three of their four Tests against Robertson’s side, culminating in a record 43-10 victory in Wellington.
According to Paul, Erasmus did not resort to the same psychological tactics against Robertson because he did not regard him as the same threat.
“What’s most interesting about Erasmus and the Springboks indulging in a bit of pre-game psychological warfare is that it’s been some time since he or they felt the need,” he wrote.
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“The arrival of Rennie and his new coaching team, as well as the return of Sir Graham Henry as an independent selector has shifted the dynamic markedly, and the fact that Erasmus has switched to Machiavellian mode tells the real story.
“Rennie is an adversary that Erasmus respects and is a little wary of.”
Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
The post ‘Rassie’s running scared’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
New Zealand Herald rugby writer Gregor Paul says Rassie Erasmus’ “dubious behaviour” could turn the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series “toxic”.
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