Joe Schmidt wants ‘recordings’ of Rassie Erasmus’ innovative Springboks coaches meetings
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus and an inset of Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt.
Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt has weighed in on Rassie Erasmus’ innovations, with the Springboks coach pushing the boundaries of the laws.
Last year, South Africa executed the ‘Twin Tower’ lineout move against Australia, with the hooker throwing to the back of the set-piece with a separate pod going up in the front to receive the ball from the front jumper and formed a maul which led to a try for Siya Kolisi.
While that move was largely lauded, Erasmus’ innovations this year have proven to be somewhat more controversial.
Rassie Erasmus pushing the boundaries
In the second Test against Italy, the game started contentiously with Manie Libbok kicking the ball straight to Andre Esterhuizen, who was in an offside position, from the kick-off to manufacture a scrum from the opening play of the game.
Later in the match, the Springboks twice deployed an open play lineout, which led to tries for Canan Moodie and Malcolm Marx, respectively.
Azzurri head coach Gonzalo Quesada took issue with the former tactic, but not the latter, while former international referee Nigel Owens questioned the fairness of the open field lineouts but admitted that it was within the laws of the game.
Ahead of the Rugby Championship opener, Wallabies boss Schmidt was questioned about the tactics and jokingly said that he’d like to get his hands on the recordings of the Springboks coaches’ meetings, where they come up with such innovations.
“I think there’s some where it’s maybe stretching things, having a guy offside at the kick-off, that’s been dealt with by World Rugby as an intentional breach of the laws, which then comes down to a sanction rather than a scrum,” he said.
“Rassie is a great man for testing the boundaries, though, isn’t he? And if you could test the boundaries and get an advantage, a tactical advantage or a strategic one with the athletes he has at his disposal, why not?
“I’m also an admirer of Tony Brown; he’s innovative, and so is Felix Jones. So I think the three of them together, I’m sure they have some pretty good coaching meetings where they come up with some ideas, and if anyone’s got a recording of those meetings, I’d like it!
As for the Wallabies innovating? Schmidt, a wily operator, kept his cards close to his chest, insisting that his coaching team is focusing more on the fundamentals.
“I guess for us, we are a little bit earlier in our time as a coaching group with this group,” he continued.
“So we’re probably still trying to get the fundamentals right and not stretch things to the boundary too much, just try to be really good at what we can train during the week and then try to deliver on Saturday.”
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Respect for Springboks coaches
Still, he has a lot of respect for Erasmus and his coaching team, having worked closely with or against many of the members of staff during his career and expects a tough challenge at Ellis Park on Saturday.
“The Springboks have grown their game a bit. I have a lot of respect for Tony Brown’s acumen, Felix Jones obviously too – I coached him – and I know him well, and I have worked with Rassie too. I think they have got a very, very strong coaching group, Jerry Flannery as well – another Irishman,” he added.
“I’m expecting that they will be really strong in the set-piece, as they always are. Their kick-chase will also be very strong, and on any turnover or any bit of space they get, they have got lethal finishers with Arendse, Van der Merwe, and Jesse Kriel, who is such a strong player.
“As for Esterhuizen, I remember two years ago, I was working for the All Blacks, but I watched this game, and gee, he was a colossus and was really difficult for the Australians to contain. So that poses a similar problem on Saturday.”
READ MORE: Eddie Jones: I inherited Rassie Erasmus’ Springbok laptop, I couldn’t believe my eyes
