Dave Rennie rejects ‘narrative’ accusation as All Blacks boss addresses Rassie Erasmus ‘spat’ after second Test dispute
All Blacks boss Dave Rennie at a press conference and Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus.
Dave Rennie insists that the All Blacks are not trying to create media narratives after Rassie Erasmus was left fuming by his comments last week.
The New Zealand head coach stated prior to the Cape Town Test that they had some issues with the legality of the Springboks’ scrum before accusing South Africa of “walking around” in the set-piece following their 33-26 defeat on Saturday.
That angered Erasmus, who vehemently denied that they were cheating in the scrum and suggested that it was an All Blacks tactic to try and influence the officials with their remarks to the media.
It was unsurprisingly a topic of conversation when Rennie had his press conference after naming his 23-man squad for the third Test in Soweto.
Rennie’s beer with Rassie
The New Zealand head coach insisted that, from his point of view, he remained on good terms with Erasmus having shared a beer with him and simply wanted to move on.
“I got asked a question in the media and I said what I thought. It’s funny our game, you can look at all aspects of the game and what one guy sees happening on one side of the ruck is different to what someone else sees,” Rennie told reporters after being asked if there had been a ‘spat’.
“It’s a competitive environment, we’re certainly not going out of our way to create narratives and things like that.
“Rassie and I had a beer immediately after the game which was good. There’s a lot on the line I guess but I don’t see it as a war of words between him and I.
“I’ve said a couple of things, he’s said a couple of things and that’s footy.”
Asked whether the Springboks had overreacted, with Erasmus once again delving into the topic earlier this week, Rennie responded: “I don’t tend to read anything so I’m not aware of that.
“I was aware there was a reaction post-game, I’m not aware that there’s been more of that going on during the week.
“In my mind, I answered the question, I moved on, on Saturday.
He added: “I’m just thinking, should I bother giving this anymore air?
“We’ve shared stuff with the officials, I think the Springboks have done the same thing, so it’s now up to the referee and his support staff to referee what he sees in front of him.
“We send in a little bit of footage and they send in a little bit of footage so no meetings.
“We got feedback around that. They send out a review and we can respond to that, and then we send in some stuff. So will South Africa.
“Then you can also send in some preview things for Nika [Amashukeli].”
Springboks and All Blacks to travel together
It is one of the intriguing subplots heading into the third Test where the winner will guarantee at least a series draw.
The Springboks and All Blacks then travel together to the US for the final match, which could be slightly awkward, especially given the aforementioned dispute.
“Rassie and I joked about it last week because someone’s going to be grumpy getting on a plane, although I’m not sure we’re sitting together, but we’re certainly on the same plane.
“There’s a huge amount of respect amongst their players and our players. What you tend to find is both sides are trying to rip the heads off for 80 minutes, but when they connect, have a few beers, there’s a lot of goodwill there.
“It will be good travelling together.”
