Warren Gatland full of praise for Rassie Erasmus
Wales Head Coach Warren Gatland (left) and South Africa Head coach Rassie Erasmus shake hands ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup Semi Final match at International Stadium Yokohama. PA Photo. Picture date: Sunday October 27, 2019. See PA story RUGBYU Wales. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. Strictly no commercial use or association. Still image use only. Use implies acceptance of RWC 2019 T&Cs (in particular Section 5 of RWC 2019 T&Cs) at URL: bit.ly/2knOId6
British and Irish Lions boss Warren Gatland has praised South Africa’s director of rugby and former Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus.
Erasmus guided his country to their third Rugby World Cup triumph, in Japan last year, and Gatland admitted to being a fan of the former Springbok back-row’s approach to the game.
“Probably one of the guys I respect is Rassie Erasmus with South Africa,” said Gatland on Sky Sport New Zealand’s The Breakdown programme.
“I really like his philosophy with the game and his attitude.”
Gatland is currently coaching the Chiefs in New Zealand and guided Wales to the World Cup semi-finals in Japan where they suffered a narrow 22-16 defeat to the Boks.
Before taking charge of his country in 2018, Erasmus coached Irish province Munster and led them to a PRO12 final and European Champions Cup semi-final during the 2016/17 season.
🗣️ "Potentially it’s a chance to make 4-5 million pounds to put some money back into the coffers that we’re going to need."
🦁 Warren Gatland calls for All Blacks v Lions ‘decider’. 👉 https://t.co/kPlIFI8UQ3 pic.twitter.com/JB8lKoboGp
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He was also named the PRO12’s Coach of the Year in 2017. Erasmus stepped down from his position as Boks coach after their successful World Cup campaign but will stay on in his role as SA Rugby’s director of rugby.
“I’ve got a huge amount of respect for the job he did at Munster and obviously, he’s done a fantastic job since he went back to South Africa,” added Gatland.
“I enjoy conversations with him and enjoy coaching against him as well.”
Jacques Nienaber, who was South Africa’s defence coach at the World Cup, has been appointed as Erasmus’ successor in the Bok set-up.
Gatland also opened up on his relationship with England head coach Eddie Jones and said it’s a false perception that they did not get along with each other.
“I loved beating Eddie Jones,” he said.
“It’s always nice to get one up on him. But we’ve been out for dinner a few times and the whole media thing is just a game.”
