The England message about 'preserving the brand of the Springboks'
Matt Proudfoot has explained that England satisfied with the established channels for clarifying officiating decisions as they prepare to face a South Africa side who enter Saturday’s showdown without director of rugby Rassie Erasmus. For the second successive year, Erasmus will have no matchday involvement with the Springboks at Twickenham after receiving a two-game ban for publishing a series of sarcastic tweets criticising referees.
Wayne Barnes, who oversaw South Africa’s defeat by France on November 12, received abuse on social media as a result of Erasmus’ comments. The mastermind of the Springboks’ 2019 World Cup triumph has only just returned from a year-long suspension for releasing a one-hour video critiquing Australian referee Nick Berry during last year’s Lions tour.
His conduct has drawn a stinging rebuke from 2007 World Cup-winning captain John Smit, who said: “It’s hard to defend him. It’s made us, as a rugby team, so easy to dislike.” England forwards coach Proudfoot, who was part of Erasmus’ staff until being recruited by Eddie Jones at the end of 2019, believes that one of the most esteemed posts in the global game comes with an obligation attached.
“The Springboks brand is a brand designed to bring hope to the country,” Proudfoot said. “As South African custodians, the role is to preserve the brand of the Springboks in a country where rugby is as feverish as it is. When I lived in South Africa I was a proud South Africa supporter and that is what the brand of the Springbok means – and that is what it should be.”
Proudfoot insisted that England are happy with their level of contact with World Rugby’s head of match officials Joel Jutge. “World Rugby has been great in the way it has communicated to us. We’ve got a process that we follow. It’s really constructive,” Proudfoot said. “We have a very clear line of communication to Joel Jutge. I sent him clips after the game on Sunday night and he replied to me first thing on Monday morning.
“There is a clear line of communication if you want to deal with something that you want clarification on, particularly in a week that you can give it to your players and train it. It’s productive for us because we get the right information and we can utilise that information.
“For us, it’s about affecting decisions on the field by exhibiting the right behaviours. There are a lot of interpretations of the laws, so we would rather get the right interpretation from World Rugby. That’s why we follow the process.”
Jacques Nienaber will oversee the Springboks on matchday in a role that he has grown accustomed to because of Erasmus’ bans. “I know how that team functions and they are flexible enough. They have been through it before and they handled it well,” Proudfoot said.
“Jacques is a smooth operator, a very intelligent man and he works incredibly hard. He is a highly competent coach who has done it at the highest level for a very long time. He deserves respect.”
Comments on RugbyPass
$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
2 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!
1 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?
10 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!).
2 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.
2 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.
10 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.
10 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.
10 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 commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to comments