Rassie Erasmus Accused of “Running Scared” As All Blacks Series Risks Turning Toxic
- Rassie Erasmus has found himself at the centre of a growing debate as the Springboks prepare for another huge Test against the All Blacks
- The build-up to Saturday’s Ellis Park clash has taken an unexpected turn, with one New Zealand writer questioning the Bok coach’s approach
- Fresh comments from across the Tasman have added another intriguing layer to a rivalry already attracting plenty of attention before kick-off
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Rassie Erasmus has been accused of “running a little scared” as the Springboks prepare to face the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Saturday, with the series at risk of turning “toxic” amid a growing focus on refereeing and match tactics.
The claim comes after a week in which Erasmus and his coaching staff have raised several issues around how Saturday’s Test could be officiated. New Zealand Herald rugby writer Gregor Paul believes the Springboks coach’s approach marks a notable change ahead of the latest chapter in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.
Paul singled out Erasmus’ recent focus on match officiating and areas of the laws as evidence of a change in approach.
“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 as reported by SA Rugby Magazine.
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Referee Matthew Carley in the spotlight
At Monday’s press conference, Erasmus appeared alongside Springbok laws adviser Jaco Peyper, who discussed the regulations governing the formation of lineouts.
Erasmus also dismissed suggestions that South Africa deliberately slows matches down. Assistant coach Felix Jones later raised concerns about alleged All Blacks tactics around the breakdown and defending mauls.
Paul interpreted the sequence as an effort to shape how English referee Matthew Carley approaches Saturday’s match.
“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.
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Why Dave Rennie has changed the dynamic
Paul believes the arrival of All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has altered the contest. He compared the situation with Erasmus’ previous battles against Scott Robertson, against whom South Africa won three of four Tests, including a 43-10 victory in Wellington.
“The arrival of Rennie and his new coaching team... has shifted the dynamic markedly,” Paul wrote.
He added that Rennie is an adversary Erasmus “respects and is a little wary” of. The comments come as the Springboks and All Blacks prepare for another chapter in their long-running rivalry at Ellis Park.
Springboks vs All Blacks tickets still available
Briefly News previously reported that tickets for the Springboks’ highly anticipated Ellis Park clash against the All Blacks were still available on the eve of the Test.
With the rivalry drawing huge attention, the remaining tickets added another talking point ahead of Saturday’s showdown.
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Source: Briefly News
