Jake White suggests Scott Robertson ‘goading’ Rassie Erasmus to take ‘risky’ option for All Blacks Tests
Scott Robertson and Rassie Erasmus, the All Blacks and Springboks head coaches respectively.
Rugby World Cup-winning coach Jake White believes that Scott Robertson attempted to land the first psychological blow on Rassie Erasmus at the weekend.
New Zealand’s head coach was asked about his upcoming duel with the Springboks boss, who is known for his mind games before matches, but he decided not to be too forthright.
Robertson joked that he “wouldn’t want to go down [that route] too far, just in case” before adding: “I enjoy his commentary. I bet everyone enjoys a press conference with him so looking forward to locking horns.”
However, the All Blacks head honcho was more candid about Erasmus’ team selection after South Africa made 10 changes for their second game with the Wallabies.
A risky call
It was seen as a risky strategy by many, with the Boks putting their Rugby Championship ambitions on the back burner, but that was not the view of Robertson.
“When I saw Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson quip in his post-presser that Rassie ‘wasn’t brave, he was smart’, I had a wry smile,” White wrote in his RugbyPass column.
“It was the first salvo between two men on the long, perilous quest towards World Cup glory. It was as if Razor was goading Rassie, encouraging him to adopt a style that will get bums off seats against the All Blacks.
“The risk for Rassie, is if they try and run the ball, which Tony Brown will surely be advocating, the All Blacks may have a chance, but if South Africa revert to their muscular dominance at the set-piece, New Zealand could be ground down.
“In many ways, it will be the first test of the Rassie and Tony Brown partnership. Does Rassie let Tony have rope to let them play in this new entertaining style, or does pragmatism win the day?
“It’s a fascinating sub-plot as to the power dynamic forming in a reshuffled coaching set-up.”
The Springboks take on the All Blacks in Johannesburg and Cape Town, two games that will likely decide the destination of the Rugby Championship title.
South Africa are currently in a better position following successive bonus-point victories over the Wallabies, while New Zealand succumbed to a shock 38-30 defeat to Argentina.
One victory from those matches should be enough for Erasmus’ charges, especially with an inconsistent Los Pumas outfit to come, but they could effectively wrap up the competition by emerging triumphant in both All Blacks Tests.
Mojo back
“The Boks shouldn’t underestimate their famous adversaries, and I doubt they will,” White added.
“The players have taken time to adjust to the new regime, but I really thought New Zealand got their mojo back at Eden Park, especially in the opening quarter where they blew Argentina away physically.
“It looked like they were playing angry and wanted to be All Blacks again – they want their World No 1 status back and there is no doubt in my mind that this was the first time since Scott Robertson took over that the All Blacks had their swagger back. They will relish being underdogs.”
