'He sounded like he had about 25 bottles of wine responsibly…'
Rugby Pod co-hosts Jim Hamilton and Andy Goode have reacted with delight over the voice note they were recently sent on social media by Rassie Erasmus, the currently banned Springboks director of rugby. The 2019 World Cup-winning coach was suspended on November 17 from all rugby activity for two months following his criticism of the first Test referee in the July 2021 defeat to the Lions.
Erasmus has been passing his time away from the Springboks and rugby by posting a series of videos on his social media about his dog Frank and it resulted in the South African winning the award for best social media in The Rugby Pod’s review of 2021. The award was followed by Erasmus recording an unprompted acceptance speech and posting it to his Twitter feed.
His comments were well received by Hamilton, the ex-Scotland lock, and Goode, the former England international, who kicked off this week’s show by giving their thoughts on Erasmus and what he had to say in his voice note.
“Absolutely loved it,” chimed Hamilton about the unexpected message from Springboks director Erasmus. “He mentioned my name, mentioned the pod, he couldn’t work out whether we were taking the p*** or not. Lovely little thumbnail as well. His digital creative nous as well as being one of the best coaches in the world and the fact that he sounded like he had about 25 bottles of wine responsibly made my week.”
“He is in some sort of media lockdown yet he is still out on a limb, posting him and his dog and all that stuff,” enthused Goode. “A serious media interview in the sphere that we live in, he is blanketing everything at the minute. He is not doing it but he has said he will come on at some point.”
Hey Jim/Andy and co.Home made quick screen recording from me and Frank to say happy 2022 https://t.co/0eFtPaeB34 pic.twitter.com/llvIO3JeW7
— Rassie Erasmus (@RassieRugby) January 5, 2022
In the one-minute, 49-second voice note posted to the backdrop of the South African flag, Erasmus explained that he and dog Frank wanted to wish the pair a Happy New Year for 2022. “It’s Rassie here. I just want to thank you. I am not sure if you are chugging my chain or if you are being serious, but it doesn’t really matter. I just wanted to thank you for the award, for having some fun with me, with my dog and so on. Both of you are trying hard to get me onto your podcast. Unfortunately, I can’t do it right now…
“But it is good to see you guys bring some humour into it. I like the way you conduct yourselves and the way you talk when you have your interviews. I wasn’t sure if you were pulling my chain or having a bit of fun with me… it’s a world where we should just say what we feel and without being afraid and nervous. I am delighted to see you guys doing it and having some fun. A big shout out to you guys. I appreciate it a lot.”
On replaying the recording on their show, Goode added: “He listens to the pod. He likes the fact that we are able to say what we want and we are honest and we have a bit of fun with it. That is how he wants to be but actually, there is a load of constraints on the top coaches on what they can and can’t do.
“He is having a bit of fun at the minute within the freedom of his ban. He is not in the mainstream media, he is just doing it on social media, basically having a laugh, taking the p*** and it is fun to see.”
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
1 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
23 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
6 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to comments