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Rassie Erasmus vows his days as a water carrier are over
By AAP
South Africa's director of rugby Rassie Erasmus is relishing being back in the coaching box for the international against Ireland in Dublin following his controversial role as water carrier.
Erasmus has completed a match-day stadium ban for his video critique of Australian referee Nic Berry during last year's British & Irish Lions series and, three years to the day since lifting the World Cup with the Springboks, reckons he'll be delighted to be involved again on Sunday.
He used a loophole in regulations to act as a water carrier during the Lions series, getting messages to players on the pitch, a role that has since been outlawed by World Rugby.
"It was within the protocols when I was water carrier, but now I'll be back in the coaching box," he told reporters on Wednesday.
"I missed it a lot. I love rugby, being with the guys, it's going to be nice to be around the boys in the changing room."
South Africa's last match against Ireland was in 2017 when they were thumped 38-3 in Dublin during one of the side's lowest ebbs. Erasmus took over the following year and revitalised the team's fortunes.
"We got a proper hiding that day, but in the next two years things got better and we managed to win the World Cup," he said.
"Both teams have changed dramatically in terms of how they play. Ireland, with the teams they have beaten and where they are currently (as the top-ranked side in the world), they are doing a lot of things right on and off the field."
Erasmus is expecting a tense clash in Dublin, with the Boks likely to run the ball more, weather permitting, having selected fit-again Cheslin Kolbe at fullback and Damian Willemse at flyhalf.
"Ireland has a physical and tactical edge. If you take the experience of Johnny (Sexton) and some of the other guys in the team, it is well balanced."
The Boks will also face Ireland in their pool at next year's World Cup in France.
"It spices it up," Erasmus said.
"We have also not beaten them in Ireland since 2012. Our last World Cup win was three years ago, and it was wonderful and great, but we are now thinking about the next one and trying to gain momentum."
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Latest Comments
SCW really dislikes Eddie, doesn't he?
His words in 2019 before the RWC final that he now says should have resulted in Eddie's firing:
"Was Saturday’s sensational World Cup semi-final win over New Zealand England’s greatest ever performance? Yes, unquestionably, would be my answer."
So let's fire the coach one game later? Duh!
Go to commentsIreland have every right to back themselves for a win. But the key variable has little to do with recent record etc.
The reality is that Ireland are a settled team with tons of continuity, an established style, and a good depth chart, whereas NZ are fundamentally rebuilding. The questions are all about what Razor is doing and how far along he is in that program.
NZ are very close to really clicking. Against England all of the chatter is about how England could have closed out a win, but failed to do so. This has obscured the observation that NZ were by far the more creative and effective in attack, beyond the 3-1 try differential and disallowed tries. They gave away a lot of unnecessary penalties, and made many simple errors (including knock-ons and loose kicks). Those things are very fixable, and when they do so we are once again going to be staring at a formidable NZ team.
Last week we heard the England fans talking confidently about their chances against NZ, but England did not end up looking like the better team on the field or the scoreboard. The England defense was impressive enough, but still could not stop the tries.
Ireland certainly has a better chance, of course, but NZ is improving fast, and I would not be surprised at a convincing All Black win this week. It may turn on whether NZ can cut out the simple mistakes.
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