Woodward takes another pop at Erasmus in his latest Lions column
Clive Woodward has fired back at Rassie Erasmus, declaring that the behaviour of Lions boss Warren Gatland has been statesmanlike in comparison to the hot and bothered antics of the Springboks director of rugby whose team are 1-0 down in the Test series following last Saturday’s loss in Cape Town.
Writing in the Daily Mail, Woodward initially had Erasmus in his crosshairs due to the seemingly worrying dynamic in his relationship with rookie South African head coach Jacques Nienaber, who was the team’s defence coach at the 2019 World Cup before stepping up to take on the task of coaching the team on the premise that this would free-up director Erasmus to look after the whole of rugby in South Africa.
Rather than taking a backwards step and allowing full control to Nienaber, as suggested by Woodward, Erasmus has remained a hands-on presence in recent months and he had a pop at the 2003 World Cup-winning coach after the Springboks team for the second Test was named on Tuesday.
“I don’t know if ‘Sir’ is so important in South Africa as it is in England. That is just his opinion and myself and Jacques are great mates,” insisted Erasmus. “I am the water carrier. Jacques is higher than me in the rank. We have always worked together since the military in 1990.
“You look at Saturday: in minute 71 we score a try that is pulled back and if it was not people would be saying the relationship is perfect. So I wouldn’t listen to too much of Clive Woodward. He doesn’t matter to me.”
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Woodward has since written another Sportsmail column, making a withering comparison between the conduct of Erasmus and Gatland while assessing the three changes the Lions boss has made to his starting XV. “While Rassie Erasmus has been getting all hot and bothered on Twitter, the Lions have been concentrating on getting their most important selection of the tour correct,” said the ex-England boss.
“Erasmus is proving a distraction for South Africa while Warren Gatland has been statesmanlike as he prepares a squad looking to close out the series. Neither side produced their A-game last week – not for the full 80 minutes – so I am not surprised the Lions have made a few tweaks.
“The old adage about not changing a winning team is tempting, but not when you are convinced a few changes can improve the performance. The Lions can improve considerably on last week and Gatland, with all his experience, will know that. He won’t be fooled by the feel-good factor of a famous win.”
The Lions have left out Elliot Daly, Ali Price and Rory Sutherland in place of Chris Harris, Conor Murray and Mako Vunipola, alterations Woodward approves of. “The three changes in starting personnel for the Lions all make sense and have a clear logic,” he continued.
“The one part of the Boks game that was in full working order was sending big Damian de Allende crashing through the midfield. There will be much more of that this week and Harris is probably better equipped to defuse that threat.
“Murray at his best – and I’m thinking of the Murray who guided Ireland to a comfortable win over England in the last Six Nations game – is a master of taking the sting out of a high-octane game and delivering the killer blow when needed.
“Possibly the biggest bonus for the Lions was the re-emergence of Mako Vunipola, who seemed to get his mojo back when he came off the bench in the second half… it is no surprise that Gatland has recalled a player he has always liked.”
Rassie Erasmus is proving to be a bad distraction for South Africa | @CliveWoodward https://t.co/Ut4HjRPWgb
— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) July 27, 2021
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