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Rassie's new video has done 'irreparable harm' in wake of French loss
By Ian Cameron
As sure as the tide goes out, Rassie Erasmus has posted a video on Twitter in the wake of South Africa’s latest Test loss.
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The Boks suffered a narrow 30-26 defeat against France at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille on Saturday and it was a match filled with incident.
Refereee Wayne Barnes was a focus of a lot of fan ire after the game, his decision to award a final French try in 76th minute which some had suggested involved a secondary movement, being the main focal point for critics of the English official.
However, it’s two other incidents that the maverick Springboks director of rugby appeared to want to highlight with a sarcastic Tweet not long after the final whistle was sounded.
“I know guys and accept it, we really only have ourselves to blame as the French were awsome both on the field (players)and off the field (supporters)!! We just have to fix these fundamental errors like tackle technique and simple passing,” wrote Erasmus.
Below the statement was a video in which Cheslin Kolbe appeared to receive a forearm to the head when attempting a tackle and a flat pass by fullback Willie Le Roux which was adjudged forward.
I know guys and accept it, we really only have ourselves to blame as the French were awsome both on the field (players)and off the field (supporters)!! We just have to fix these fundamental errors like tackle technique and simple passing ??Sorry ?? we know ? pic.twitter.com/hte6ggyXk9
— Rassie Erasmus (@RassieRugby) November 12, 2022
The video was met with both support and disdain, with hardcore fans applauding and cheering him on, while critics mocked him.
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On Sunday morning he took aim at Gael Fickou and Barnes failure to penalise the French centre for slowing down South African ruck ball.
“This so clever by Fickou, the way he moves and presents himself on our side of the ruck has no influence on our speed of the ball from the ruck !! We can certainly learn from this!!”.
This so clever by Fickou, the way he moves and presents himself on our side of the ruck has no influence on our speed of the ball from the ruck !! We can certainly learn from this !! Sorry ??? pic.twitter.com/nCisruylk4
— Rassie Erasmus (@RassieRugby) November 13, 2022
He did however also suggest they had ‘no quarrels’ about France’s last try, although it’s not clear if the former Munster head coach was being sarcastic or not. “Guys at this level their is no chance that this was not reviewed, the chances of communications going down at that specific moment is 1/100min of broadcasting! So in our view fair try after proper review by experienced Barnsy and his team! No quarrels from our side!!”
Guys at this level their is no chance that this was not reviewed, the chances of communications going down at that specific moment is 1/100min of broadcasting! So in our view fair try after proper review by experienced Barnsy and his team! No quarrels from our side!! https://t.co/QvoGW2DFNL
— Rassie Erasmus (@RassieRugby) November 13, 2022
Northampton Saints director Tim Percival described him as the Donald Trump of rugby: “The Donald Trump of rugby. Legitimate when SA win, stolen when they lose. I wonder if he realises the damage he does to the game when he tweets this garbage.”
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The Donald Trump of rugby. Legitimate when SA win, stolen when they lose. I wonder if he realises the damage he does to the game when he tweets this garbage. https://t.co/DyF86saK2K
— Tim Percival (@TimPercival) November 13, 2022
Cardiff Rugby Life wrote: “Rassie Erasmus is doing irreparable harm to South African rugby and Rugby Union as a sport, as well as making himself look like a prime whinging prick, with these videos after every Springbok loss.”
Rassie Erasmus is doing irreparable harm to South African rugby and Rugby Union as a sport, as well as making himself look like a prime whinging prick, with these videos after every Springbok loss. https://t.co/EyrWI6VD3z
— Cardiff Rugby Life (@CardiffRugbyWeb) November 13, 2022
Many others – South African fans included – beseeched the DoR to stop whining and accept the loss.
The Springboks are yet to win on tour, having lost to Ireland the previous weekend and their South Africa A team also losing to Munster midweek.
The Springboks will depart for Genoa on Sunday to begin preparations for their third Test on tour against Italy.
If we look at the ref’s performances in all test matches they don’t even deserve to get paid for their incompetence. The double movement try, first the replay doesn’t work and then the communications go down when the 3rd referee wants to intervene, this can be seen as match fixing. World rugby must now stand up and be counted because they were quick to ban Rassie but if the officiating is not corrected, they will lose any credibility, why will I pay to look at a game if the outcome is determined by one official
Where are the 2 ASSISTANT REFS? and the VIDEO REF? Between 4 REFEREES they still get it wrong! Why do they gte PAID!!!!!!!! They are useless!1!!!! Can only be deliberate against Boks! Should investigate betting by officials as this seems to ensure they get a certain result! 4 REFEREES fail to get secure SAFETY of K0olbe by barbaric arm in teh face on throat! This ref would be fred in teh real world! Rugby only place where incompetent persons can NOT be critized! Sick ! New IRA management needed! Refs should have integrity and be competent! REFEREES are killing te game with poor decisions and hot-HEADED schoolmaster attitudes!
I see no problem with Rassie commenting on the mistakes that the refs make, just as I don't see a problem with the double movement try or 1 of the best loose forwards for the past 2 seasons not being nominated for world player of the year. My problem is that world rugby isn't doing anything to fix the problems. Why is it in big games when the refs have the technology to make the correct calls to prevent a Rassie twitter situation happening they don't use it. It just doesn't make sense. How Ardie Savea not being selected for world player of the year also doesn't make sense.
Oh, please. What about Ian Foster's equally sarcastic comments about the ref after losing to Ireland last year; or the Boks this year; or Eddie Jones' rant after losing to a 14 man Australia in July, or his remarks about TMOs; or Dave Rennie after their loss to the All Blacks this year. I can go on and on - all the top coaches do it, all the time so why single out Rassie?
World Rugby is only corrupt when SA lose. Last week Colbe got yellow instead of red but that is okay because it went the boks way. Rassie is a disgrace for rugby. World rugby must suspend him for life. Why is rassie not making videos when refs robbed other teams against them.
As Tim Percival eloquently stated. What Erasmus is doing to SAR. Trump has done to the Republican Party and Democracy.
Please give the game and SARa break.
Everybody is so focused on rassie that they don't seem to care about tha issues around officiating... if the inconsistencies in refereeing continues in next year's world, the worl cup wont be won by the best team but rafher the team least effected by the referee
Rather think of Rassie as another over exuberant fan, and don’t take so much notice.
His tweets of dogs, dancing and refs are incredibly cute, and not to be taken too seriously.
What is with these old fat privileged male clowns who cannot show dignity in the face of defeat? Man up and move on for goodness sake.
by the way...@CardiffRugbyWebb , the "prick" that you are referring to is the Director of a Rugby Union that has won the Rugby World Cup, 3(three), times ! Go and suck on that dummy !!!