'I will step way' - Erasmus releases hour long, rambling 'clear the air' video
Springboks Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has released an unprecedented hour-long – at times rambling – ‘clear the air’ video in which he has gone into detail about the British and Irish Lions, Warren Gatland, referee Nic Berry and his use of social media.
In an unprecedented moment for the sport, in which Erasmus says he will step away from the final two Tests if need be, stating his only desire was for a fair contest for the remainder of the series.
He has said that he ‘wasn’t convinced’ with the clarity given by referee Nic Berry and details how he and the Springbok were rebuffed after requesting a clarification meeting with Berry on the Sunday following the game. Erasmus then said that he was told the meeting could not be held until after Berry and his officials had sat down with World Rugby’s head of refereeing, Joël Jutge.
“We definitely felt the way things unfolded on the field didn’t benefit us by staying quiet,” said Erasmus. “That’s why I would probably like World Rugby head of referees Joel (Jutge), (World Rugby director of rugby) Joe (Schmidt), (match referee) Nic (Berry), (ARs) Mathieu (Raynal), Ben (O’Keeffe), (TMO) Marius Jonker, (host broadcasters) Supersport maybe if you guys get this – I’m not sure who this is going to.”
He also explained why he had taken the role of water carrier, a move that had been criticised by some rugby pundits, including Clive Woodward.
“I myself, as director of rugby, if this causes that I’m not allowed to be a water carrier, I’ll step away from being a water carrier. If this means we’re going to get a fine, I’ll step away from the team management. If this means that the Springboks will be in trouble, I’ll say I did this in isolation, it’s me personally that did this and not SA Rugby and not the Springboks.
“Because I believe in fairness and the system and I believe in two teams having equal chance of competing in the match.
“I’m not saying the referee was a cheat at all, I’m saying we just wanted clarity on a Sunday night and didn’t get until a Tuesday and, to be honest, I am not very convinced with the clarity we got from Nic Berry in this match.
“I’ve had previous encounters where I made mistakes, saying things in public about referees, and normally it comes back to bite you, but in this instance the Lions only comes around every 12 years.
“It should be fair, I’ll step away from the last two Test matches, but let the Springboks and the Lions have an equal chance on the field when it comes to laws, respect, the way players get treated, what is said in a pre-match coaches meeting with the referees, how they give feedback post that and how things get said in the media.”
It’s a left-field move from Erasmus, who has come in for a lot of criticism for his behavior following the first Test defeat to the Lions.
After a 15 minutes intro in which he says he will not blame the referee for the loss, Erasmus then details a lengthy list of the infringements made by the Lions.
Comments on RugbyPass
One of the best the Boks have ever produced. PSDT has an engine that goes non-stop for the full 80 min.
4 Go to commentsThe real deal.
4 Go to commentsIt’s been said that Nienaber will head back to SA too before next World Cup , hoarding all the amazing IP gained in Irish system … get a grip … Irish system needs to Milk the likes of Barrett . First time a leading all Black in his prime has gone to Ireland for any period of time . Enjoy it .
20 Go to comments20 min RC is the only good solution of a bunch of bad solutions. Ridiculous that it has taken this long and caused so many uneven contests. In general these are all very good changes - one is surprised that NH brokers were able to see sense at long last.
7 Go to comments“While a red card will mean a temporary team disadvantage, the replacement system will focus punishment on the offending player instead of disrupting the game itself.” This might work for amateur rugby, where players just want to be on the pitch for as long as possible, but hopefully we’ve got to a point where top level professionals care about the success of their team much more than about whether they personally are on the pitch or not.
7 Go to commentsa lot of focus on the targeting of south africa, but aspects of this are positive. The croc roll; the offside law; and time limits on set pieces are all good. calling for a mark off kick offs is baffling, but I guess we’ll see how it plays out in practice
24 Go to commentsSpeeding the game up is great, but I think we will find that the increase in viewership this year mostly comes down to the competition being more competitive…the fall of the Crusaders has been a boon for viewership. This should be at the heart of super rugby changes - how to make the comp more even
23 Go to commentsThe fact that the press were largely to blame for his taking a break is nothing short of disgusting. He’s made a few mistakes but difficult to name a player of any substance who gives it a full go hasn’t also made mistakes? On behalf of a large number of Bokke fans, bring back Farrell !!!!!
1 Go to commentsPSTD is a fantastic flanker. He could benefit from a bit of self-promotion / flair and he is not quite the danger man that Ardie is. That said, he is my 1st pick to build a backrow around. His speed and hustle made up for Duane who got quite a bit slower at the 8.
4 Go to commentssurprised, disco lights haven't been banned by world rugby board
24 Go to commentsToo many changes. Too often. I’m tired of this WR administration. How do we vote these fockers out? Bill needs to go.
24 Go to commentsDu Toit, 2 time W.Cup winner yet rarely mentioned a “Great “…if one looks back on his stellar carrier perhaps someone will one day elevate him to “Richie” status…a quiet, polite yet devastating loose forward that knew action speaks louder than words..
4 Go to commentsI like the offside rule, but this won't affect my team because all their kicks gets chased and that putts everyone on side. Lekker manne!
24 Go to comments20 minute Red Card is untenable. If you don’t punish the whole team, coaches won’t be sufficently incentivised to pick players with, or coach better tackle technique.
7 Go to commentsI can only think of One time ever a team has opted for a scrum from a free kick… Why the law change I wonder
24 Go to commentsYeah, its not going to work. But we see you World Rugby.
24 Go to commentsLove the reaction after last 2 W.Cups re rule changes…maybe good for more for more of a “ league” type running game( which I personally don’t like) but seems Rassie is definitely in ther heads…
24 Go to commentsGreat. More unwanted changes. Because these always work out well.
24 Go to commentsI’m sure South Africa’s opponents will rejoice at World Rugby minimising one of the Boks’ most potent weapons, but you just know Rassie is cooking something up with free-kicks that no-one else has thought of. Let them play checkers. Rassie’s playing chess. 😂
24 Go to commentsAfter a fairly simple Pac4, the BFs will find out a lot about themselves in September when they face the rampaging RedRoses at Twickenham in front of a record crowd. After that they will face them again in Canada in WXV1. They also have France to contend with. Will be interesting to see what Australia have to offer with Jo Yapp at the helm.
1 Go to comments