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Springboks Nigel Owens deal on verge of completion - report
By Ian Cameron
South Africa's Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has revealed that he is on the verge of securing retired Welsh referee Nigel Owens as a consultant for the Springboks ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. If the deal goes through, Owens will serve as the primary communication link between the World Champions and World Rugby's refereeing department.
Despite initial reluctance due to commitments on his farm in Wales, Owens appears to have had a change of heart and is now close to joining the Springboks. The former referee has an impressive track record, having officiated 100 international matches, including three Rugby World Cups.
The relationship between the Springboks and World Rugby's officials has been strained over the past two years, with Erasmus twice banned for his social media activity relating to the controversial Test decisions. Erasmus is hoping the addition of Owens as a consultant could help ease the tension and improve communication between the two parties.
He told Sports Mail that the deal is close to being completed.
"Everyone knows about Nigel. I actually just emailed him. From the outside, he said it’s a goer. From the inside, we’ll know next week.
"The reason is straight forward," Erasmus told Nik Simon. "We could take one of our local refs but it would be another South African voice. People from the outside think the South African voice is attacking or arrogant. Even the way I talk, sometimes people think it’s aggressive. When you’ve known me a while you know it’s not aggressive.
"We definitely want to change that view. Prior to those two incidents [Erasmus’s bans], we never had stuff like that. It will take hard work to change. Someone like Nigel might come in and say, “These guys are doing it right” or he might say, “Hey guys, you have to change a few things here”. It’s the way he communicates. It’s a real thing we’re trying to fix, not a smokescreen.
"I don’t want to talk myself into a hole again here. We basically felt we have to repair this because obviously there’s not a great relationship. We want to reset that. It’s a genuine need for us to change.’
"If we get our way, we will have him as soon as possible. We are very aligned in terms of the way world rugby’s going with safety, tackling, head contact. So it’s the perception of whether or not something’s OK when we send it to World Rugby. Maybe Nigel could talk to them for us. And then there’s his knowledge in reviews, previews, videos. We want someone to be a full-on management member. It would be great."
Erasmus is known for his innovative approach to the game and has previously brought in consultants from other sports to work with the Springboks. If the deal with Owens is finalized, it could provide a significant boost to South Africa's chances of retaining their Rugby World Cup title in 2023.
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Latest Comments
I think Italy were always targetting this match and intended to win. They needed to exorcise the 2023 RWC. I think they could have done with a bit more help from other 6Ns particularly from Ireland to knock more holes in NZ and their confidence.
Mentioned before the Italy Argentina match was a virus that ripped through the Italy camp early that week. In general play Italy were competitive albeit with a high error count and crucial missed tackles.
Ive said it before the era of NZ turning up unprepared for all comers and triumphing is definitively over. If a Tier1 team target NZ and NZ do not prepare accordingly they are in with a major chance of losing. It used to occur the odd time in RWCs against France, now it can occur v any Tier1. The competition has improved. NZ can still be at the top but their talents must be deployed sufficiently into dismantling teams as with their attack then allowed to exploit.
They dismantled Ireland pretty well in Dublin which went largely unnoticed. That allowed them scoreboard advantage and attacking opportunities of which one was enough.
That Italian team beat Wales and significantly Scotland last year. They used the loss to NZ in the most positive way possible. No doubt NZ prepared but I would assume it was similar to versus Argentina: 3/4 arsed at best. These test matches are rare and this was another chance to practice dismantling a determined and prepared opponent which was lost. If Italy had scored a 7 pointer at 17-6....an Italian win was on.
Go to commentsGB = England, Scotland, Wales. UK = England, Wales, Scotland, NI
Nothing to stew son.
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