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Erasmus tweets seven-word reaction to his meeting with World Rugby

(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus has broken his recent social media silence to tweet his reaction to his clear-the-air meeting on Thursday with World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin and Phil Davies, the governing body’s director of rugby. Erasmus was recently hit with a two-game match day ban by World Rugby for a series of tweets they deemed to be sarcastic criticism of the referees in the South African defeats earlier this month to France and Ireland.

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The South African director of rugby had insisted at a media briefing from Genoa on November 15 that the video clips and comments he was posting on Twitter weren’t criticisms of the referees. Instead, there were explanations to Springboks fans as to where his team had gone wrong and that they would try to do better in the future.

World Rugby didn’t agree with this Erasmus explanation and they banned him on November 17 from attending the Springboks games against Italy and England. It was the second such ban for the South African following last year’s suspension following his infamous 62-minute video critique of referee Nic Berry and his assistants following the first Test defeat to the British and Irish Lions.

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CEO Gilpin struck a conciliatory chord when speaking last weekend from the World Rugby awards in Monaco, stating: “South Africa are a brilliant and really important part of the game across men’s and women’s, 7s and XVs. They are world champions and Rassie has done amazing things with that team and is clearly an amazing coach.

“But our view – and he may not agree – is that he has crossed the line. For us, it is really important we reinforce where those lines are, for everybody to see. Being a rugby referee is the toughest job in sport. Let’s give these guys, and the brilliant women who are doing that job, the best support and chance we can, and work with them for them to improve. And that is a responsibility the top coaches have got to take as well.”

What followed was a meeting on Thursday between World Rugby duo Gilpin and Davies with Erasmus and it resulted in a media statement on Saturday from SA Rugby that claimed positive discussions had been held regarding recent events and match official communications in general. “Views were exchanged resulting in a better understanding of the respective positions,” read the statement.

“There was agreement that further dialogue was needed in terms of enhancing the process that operates between teams and match officials to ensure all can play their part in creating great spectacles and avoid frustration but in a way that underpins the respect for match officials, coaches and players. Further dialogue will continue after today’s final Springboks test of the year.”

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This media release resulted in Erasmus soon taking to Twitter to give his own brief take on his meeting with Gilpin and Davies. “Thank you WR and let’s move on!!”

Erasmus had earlier on Saturday posted a curious message that read: “Lekka Chat (15min).” This post came with a link to Vimeo. No playable video came up when you clicked the link, but it contained the message that an event was scheduled for November 30 at 4pm. Vimeo was the platform where the infamous 62-minute Erasmus video on referee Berry had become public last year after it wasn’t password protected.

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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