Robbie Fleck ‘all for’ Dave Rennie and Rassie Erasmus ‘war of words’ which was ‘definitely not personal’
All Blacks boss Dave Rennie at a press conference and Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus.
Former Springboks centre Robbie Fleck insists that the “war of words” between Rassie Erasmus and Dave Rennie has benefited the sport and Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
While there has been excitement on the field, there has also been plenty of action off it with the two head coaches going head-to-head.
After Rennie complained about the South African scrum, Erasmus snapped back before later apologising for his X-rated rant.
‘Trying to influence the ref’
“The war of words between the two of them, I think that’s brilliant, that just creates the hype. I’m all for that,” Fleck told the Boks Unpacked podcast.
“I think they’re both very, very smart, intelligent coaches, experienced enough to know it’s not personal, it’s definitely not personal.
“They’re definitely sharing a beer afterwards and they’re talking about rugby, but they’re doing what’s best for them and the team.
“They’re getting their fans on their side and they are trying to influence the ref, no matter what they say; they certainly are because the referees are exposed to it.
“I’m all for it, 100 per cent.”
Springboks legend Jean de Villiers then chimed in and agreed with Fleck, stating that it gives fans and pundits plenty to talk about between the matches.
“There’s a lot of talk of rugby and where rugby is going from a spectacle point of view, getting a good product out there, but also from a content point of view,” De Villiers said.
“Yes, you have the games at the weekend, but what happens during the week? The talking points that have been raised by Rassie saying stuff in the media and Rennie saying stuff, I think it’s added to all of it.”
Erasmus and Gatland spat
Fleck compared it to the 2021 British and Irish Lions series where Erasmus and Warren Gatland traded blows in the media during the tour.
Although it was not quite as cordial as the recent so-called ‘spat’ between the Springboks and All Blacks bosses, it was still a positive rather than a negative for the sport, according to the 51-year-old.
“It must be there, it’s part of entertainment. Rugby is an entertainment game and we’re driven by numbers, bums on seats and eyeballs on the TV,” he said.
“The whole build-up to the week is brilliant. Some teams announcing their team early and others later, it’s brilliant.
“It’s a cat and mouse, and it keeps the public engaged, the podcasts are talking about it, it’s growing the game without a doubt.
“Remember during the British and Irish Lions tour here, there was that little thing between Rassie and Warren Gatland, and maybe that was a little bit more personal, but these guys are rugby guys and all good guys, and they want the best for the game and this is now part of the game.”
