'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
Steve Borthwick deserves credit for releasing the shackles on his England side and letting them play in a manner that somewhat resembles the top sides in the Gallagher Premiership. Will they revert to type in New Zealand in July.?
20 Go to commentsJames Lowe wouldn't get in any other 6N team. He's a great example of Farrell’s brilliance, and the Irish system. He is slow. His footwork is poor. But he fits perfectly in that Irish system, and has a superb impact. But put him in another team, and he'll look bang average.
3 Go to commentsCrusaders reached their heights through recruitment of North Island players, often leaving those NI teams bereft of key players. Example: Scott Barrett and Sam Whitelock robbed the Canes of their lineout and AB locks. For years the Canes have struggled at lock. This rabid recruitment was iniated by rule changes by a Crusader dominated NZR Head Office. Now this aggressive recruitment has back-fired, going after young inside back Hamilton Boys stars. They now have 4 Chiefs region 10s and not one with the requisite experience at Super level. Problems of their own making!
2 Go to commentsOver rated for a long time…exposed at scrum time too.
3 Go to comments“Firing me” should have been Gatland’s answer.
2 Go to commentsFinn Russell logic: “World” = 4 countries. Ireland may be at or near the top. FR’s bigger concern should be he and his fellow Scots (incl. the Bloemfontein ones) sliding back down to below top 10
42 Go to commentsMind games have begun. Ireland learned their lesson after saying they could beat England with 13 players or whatever. Still, if they win at Loftus, that would be impressive - final frontier etc.
58 Go to comments$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
3 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
3 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
20 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
3 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
3 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
20 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
20 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
20 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to comments