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Latest Erasmus tweet cautions Springboks fans abusing Wayne Barnes

(Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

Rassie Erasmus has called on Springboks fans to stop abusing Wayne Barnes after the referee was threatened following his handling of last Saturday’s defeat versus France. The South African director of rugby published a series of tweets showing footage from the game, around which he made comments that his players would need to do better.

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Having copped a lengthy ban last year for his criticism of Nic Berry and his team of officials in the Springboks’ first Test defeat by the British and Irish Lions, Erasmus claimed in midweek that he wasn’t worried that he could again end up in hot water with World Rugby.

Erasmus insisted at a media briefing on Tuesday in Genoa ahead of this weekend’s game versus Italy that his social media messages were not a criticism of Barnes, who was in charge for his record-breaking 101 Test match. Instead, he explained that his social media postings following South Africa’s loss to France were published in the hope of better informing his team’s fans as to why they hadn’t won in Marseille.

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He has now followed up his media briefing explanation with a further tweet on Thursday that specified he was not being at all critical of referee Barnes and he has called on Springboks fans to have a go at him for the defeat and not the match official.

“Like myself, the referee of the French Test and his family have received threats and abuse,” he wrote. “Apparently, it’s partly due to my tweets which is totally unfounded. Tweets were not aimed at the officials, but to our fans on what we should do better – have a go at me not the ref!!”

 

Speaking about his publication of recent Springboks match footage on social media, which started with a ball kicked at a ruck that turned over possession for an Irish try and then a six-video series with action from the loss to the French, Erasmus had said on Tuesday: “We have always had the thing where we have stayed stronger together. I am talking about South Africans and when we get media out there it is all over the world and we have always been really close to our fans.

“For us, the fact that when something goes wrong on the field and I am sure people form their own opinions and that I understand, but I think if you go and listen to the tweet, it is actually for South African supporters to understand that listen here, there is something that some guys are doing really well which we either don’t understand.”

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Phil Harold 718 days ago

What a disingenuous wanker Rassie is. An embarrassment to his country.

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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.

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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.


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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.


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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.

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