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The very good reason why England won’t copy Boks’ traffic lights
By Liam Heagney
South Africa insisted last Sunday that their use of a traffic lights system from the coach’s box in Marseille was purely to do with medical assessment of the players and nothing to do with making tactical adjustments.
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Some people have their doubts, suggesting that what unfolded in the Springboks’ 18-3 Rugby World Cup win over Scotland had everything to do with tactics, such as kicking to the corner and not at the posts and vice-versa.
England played at the same ground the previous evening, but they relied on regular comms for messaging during their 27-10 win over Argentina.
What did assistant coach Kevin Sinfield make of what the Springboks did and is it something that England might ever consider to further control what unfolds on the pitch?
“When they cross the line you have got to put some trust in them, put some belief in them,” reckoned Sinfield. “It has happened for years now where the likes of myself are carrying water and kicking tees and also messages on.
WATCH OUT WORLD: George Ford seemingly isn't the only one ready to kick drop goals for England. #EnglandRugby #RWC2023 #ENGvJPN pic.twitter.com/MfGCbRZa5L
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 13, 2023
“If South Africa think the traffic lights are the best way to go, so be it. We will just get on with what we are trying to do and control what we can control. I understand why there is some noise around it but we’re not that bothered to be honest.”
Analytics, though, are increasingly important in rugby. What does Sinfield make of their usefulness during a game? “The numbers aren’t out there (playing), are they?
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“The numbers don’t have feel, the numbers don’t have emotion, don’t have passion, they don’t understand particularly the relationship between a captain and a referee, so there are lots of bits as well that are important for us to take into account.
“Analytics are important – and they certainly are after the game when you’re trying to analyse and understand why certain things have happened. But I’d like to think as a coaching group we put trust in our playing group and we back them to make decisions.
“We understand that they will get things wrong from time to time but we like to think between us there are enough conversations and discussions between us throughout the week where we talk through different permutations and then we try and learn from them as well because they don’t always happen every single week.”
Just flabbergastingly hilarious how much flak this is garnering.
I couldn’t care less if he started throwing baseball signals, which I think are funny as heck as long as it’s not illegal and helps his team, I am all for it. Go Bokke!
Rassie took one for the team against the Lions for the Lions for the shite officiating. Say what you want, when the ref is shite, he has to be called out. Boks have lost one too many games bc of shite officiating. So Yeah, Rassie is the man. Don’t think you can say that for any other coach right now.
SA has won many, many games because of embarrassingly biased officiating stemming back from 1995. I can't recall a single game they've lost because of poor officiating.
Rassie is a rugby genius. His team plays with such passion bc they know their coaching staff will go to the mat for them and not throw them under the bus. Like him or hate him, he always has his teams best interests first, damn everything else. That’s a damn good coach. Wouldn’t surprise me if England poach him after the RWC.
Brilliant David 😂😂
Just more confirmation that Erasmus is a clown. Can't wait for another 60 odd minute cry baby video when SA yet again go home after the first knock-out game.
tant pis pour vous
.Howzit Naaige,
Listen baby, I absolutely love how disconnected from reality you are, it's frikken awesome; you probably have a lot of time to think up these things while you and your daddy service the sailors on the backseat of your mom's taxi. I mean, you're just on your hands & knees right?
Btw, just between me and you and the door post, your mama's one helluva appreciative woman. Ooh lala! I'd say more, but you know I'm not one to kiss and tell.
Hey, I'm looking forward to your next incoherent rant. You never disappoint! (That's just a little encouragement on those frequent days when you question your life choices.)
A little word of advice: you should start a gofundme so that you can afford window cleaner, wet wipes, etc. I'm sure your monitor is quite gummy and gunked up from all your snot and spittle. Just a small, helpful hint from someone who really appreciates your buffoonery!
Have a great evening. Catch you tomorrow.
Suggest you research your history, I seem to recall England crying into their warm beer in 2015, and then of course being blown off the park by the Ab's and taking a victory lap as if they had won - those are the clowns!
"Yet again go home after first knock out game" lol
I hope you not an england supporter whose team couldn't even reach the "first knock out game" in their home world cup in 2015.
Rassie is the man
Go bokke
Wow Nigel - Erasmus a clown - he's done more for SA Rugby & rugby in general in terms of social development & giving chances to disadvantaged players that any England coach alive. And you call him a clown. I think you should look at your values mate. If Erasmus is a clown - I would hate to think what Eddie Jones is.
Clowns win world cups , what does that make your team hey Nige hey ?