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'I don't think it's brave': Scott Robertson on Rassie Erasmus ahead of Springboks tour
By Ben Smith
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson isn't prepared to get involved in mind games with Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus ahead of their two Tests.
After splitting honours 1-all with Argentina, New Zealand will travel to South Africa to chase the Rugby Championship leaders.
The Springboks completed another bonus point win over the Wallabies and sit top of the table with 10 competition points.
The All Blacks need to win at least one of the two Tests to keep their hopes of a fifth straight SANZAAR title alive.
"Wouldn't want to go down [that route] too far, just in case," Robertson joked about engaging with Erasmus.
"We just play what is in front of us really. I know Rassie, played against him and he's one of the personalties of world rugby isn't he? I enjoy his commentary.
"I bet everyone enjoys a press conference with him so looking forward to locking horns."
After coming under criticism for fielding a 'B team' against the Wallabies in Perth, Robertson praised the way that South Africa has stuck to a plan to build depth.
The focus on building for World Cups was something Robertson labelled as "smart".
"The one thing that Rassie and his team has done extremely well is, they've built depth over a four-year cycle," Robertson said.
"If you look, I think it was the first time, the first World Cup, he had lost quite a few chess matches in there but he blooded some great young players that gave them the depth that was required.
"The World Cup squad is so hard to pick, they left some great players out, and that's where you need to get to.
"So I don't think it's brave, it's just smart to stay the course. He obviously did that last weekend, building depth."
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Latest Comments
Italians defended well. Luckily the scrums went well for the ABs.
Go to commentsYou were 'valuing' the players by you saying "they are not greats" though, I was pointing out another reason why they are greats, inside the team I mean (which is more important to selections on the pitch stuff).
Someone like TJ would be bitterly disappointed he didn't play on this end of year tour. He is still good enough to come on in that France game and ensure the team get the victory (with regards to how well Ratima had been playing). At the very least this is a 'sorry you didn't get that chance' offering, he's not here to get token farewell games, he will be playing to try and prove that he should have been on the pitch last week.
The other decision to play your best over the future is really personal though so can agree with your reasoning. Just sharing a slightly different perspective. I'll have to check the ratings and see how they went.
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