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'I don't think it's brave': Scott Robertson on Rassie Erasmus ahead of Springboks tour

By Ben Smith
Coach Scott Robertson of New Zealand looks on during The Rugby Championship match between New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina at Eden Park on August 17, 2024 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson isn’t prepared to get involved in mind games with Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus ahead of their two Tests.

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After splitting honours 1-all with Argentina, New Zealand will travel to South Africa to chase the Rugby Championship leaders.

The Springboks completed another bonus point win over the Wallabies and sit top of the table with 10 competition points.

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The All Blacks need to win at least one of the two Tests to keep their hopes of a fifth straight SANZAAR title alive.

“Wouldn’t want to go down [that route] too far, just in case,” Robertson joked about engaging with Erasmus.

“We just play what is in front of us really. I know Rassie, played against him and he’s one of the personalties of world rugby isn’t he? I enjoy his commentary.

“I bet everyone enjoys a press conference with him so looking forward to locking horns.”

After coming under criticism for fielding a ‘B team’ against the Wallabies in Perth, Robertson praised the way that South Africa has stuck to a plan to build depth.

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The focus on building for World Cups was something Robertson labelled as “smart”.

“The one thing that Rassie and his team has done extremely well is, they’ve built depth over a four-year cycle,” Robertson said.

“If you look, I think it was the first time, the first World Cup, he had lost quite a few chess matches in there but he blooded some great young players that gave them the depth that was required.

“The World Cup squad is so hard to pick, they left some great players out, and that’s where you need to get to.

“So I don’t think it’s brave, it’s just smart to stay the course. He obviously did that last weekend, building depth.”

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In this episode of Walk the Talk, Jim Hamilton chats with double World Cup winner Damian de Allende about all things Springbok rugby, including RWC2023 and the upcoming Ireland series. Watch now for free on RugbyPass TV

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Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Why Rassie Erasmus should cull some Boks veterans for 2027

I think cull is the wrong word.


I think Rassie and the senior players will be pretty open and honest with each other about their prospects for another World Cup campaign. And, ironically, I don’t think Rassie is thinking as far ahead as 2027 in terms of who is going to go.


There are likely going to be injuries too where players one would assume will be at 2027 won’t feature. Think Marx and Am and 2023.


I think the priority is really having as many players as possible in contention for a spot on the 33 by the time squad selection comes around.


I made this point a while ago, but having double World Cup winners in the setup over the next 3 years is going to be golden for the boks. It’s like having a coach in each position.


Razor was criticized for having too many coaches in his team. Rassie has more than 15 player coaches at his disposal.


I think Siya is being teed up to play the same role Duane did at the 2023 RWC. Invitation to the coaching box this coming weekend included.


I think many of the old guard are playing a role in the team that certainly does not guarantee them a 2027 place but doesn’t hurt their chances at being selected - but they will have to be the no.1 or no. 2 best in that position to be selected at that time. There won’t be any dead weight - whether old or young.


In my mind the strategy would be quite simple. Take everyone who will be over 32 by 2027 and pencil their names in right now in slot number three for their relative position. We know what they can do and they know what they need to do to be in contention for 2027.


Then ask yourself who do we have to take position no.1 and no. 2. Tried and tested or not. Find them and trial them over the next 3 years. Their job is to keep the old guys out. And the old guys job is to help them do just that.


That’s what Rassie has to do and has started well trying 48 players and 11 debutants in year one as the article mentioned (and winning).


I reckon there’ll be another 5-10 new players tried by the end of this year, particularly in November.


2024 ✅

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