Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has explained the decision to push back team announcements to Thursday for the blockbuster series against the All Blacks, writes CLINTON VAN DER BERG.
At a media conference in Johannesburg on Monday, Erasmus insisted it is a mark of respect rather than gamesmanship.
“I think the announcement only on Thursday is the respect for New Zealand and knowing how tough this one is going to be,” Erasmus said. “The less time they have to prepare for our team, the better. It’s not an arrogant thing. It’s a respect thing.”
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Erasmus also addressed the growing narrative around the Springboks allegedly slowing the game down, pushing back firmly on the suggestion.
“Over time, five games that we’ve played, we’ve not had one feedback that we slowed down the game,” he said. “Maybe [the All Blacks] have played against teams in pre-season mode. It’s like playing those Super Rugby warm-ups in January.”
Looking at the shape of the four-Test series itself, Erasmus likened the stakes to a World Cup knockout campaign, and suggested the challenge could be even sterner.
“I’ve never played a World Cup or been part of a World Cup where there was a round of 16,” he said. “I think four games against New Zealand is tougher than four playoff games.”
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He singled out the breakdown as the defining battleground of the series opener.
“The tough thing for us, which we think is very, very, very focused, [will be] brutal at the breakdown,” Erasmus said of New Zealand’s approach. “How they sort you out at the breakdown, it’s something that we really have been seeing and players have experienced at the franchises.”
And on South African fans who back the All Blacks, Erasmus was relaxed, drawing on his own childhood love of the game, where he admired players like Zinzan Brooke and Murray Mexted.
“There’s no problem with people supporting the All Blacks. Who are we to tell them they can’t? So we’re all good.”
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Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
The post Why Rassie’s keeping All Blacks waiting appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has explained the decision to push back team announcements to Thursday for the blockbuster series against the All Blacks.
The post Why Rassie’s keeping All Blacks waiting appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
