All Blacks coach Scott Robertson said Springbok rival Rassie Erasmus is being pragmatic and not brave by heavily rotating the world champions’ team lineups.
Salmaan Moerat lead a Bok team to a convincing win against the Wallabies at Optus Stadium on Saturday, featuring 10 changes from the side that cruised to victory in the opening round of the Rugby Championship in Brisbane.
A rare Bok whitewash of the Aussies Down Under has set Rassie Erasmus’ men up nicely for a rematch of the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, when the All Blacks face the world champions on 31 August at Ellis Park, before a 7 September duel in Cape Town.
Erasmus has repeatedly had to defend his decision to switch up the Bok matchday 23 in 2024, often having to brush off jibes that the world champions are putting out ‘B’ teams.
Robertson, though, believes the two-time World Cup-winning tactician is following the right course of action by building depth to defend the Webb Ellis Cup and an unprecedented three-peat at Australia 2027.
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“The one thing that Rassie and his team has done extremely well is, they’ve built depth over a four-year cycle,” Robertson was quoted by the media following New Zealand’s resounding win against Argentina in Auckland on Saturday.
“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.”
On whether he’ll be drawn into Erasmus’ famous mind games in the buildup to the blockbuster showdowns between South Africa and the Kiwis in the Republic, Robertson adds, “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.”
Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images
The post Razor dissects Rassie’s RWC plans appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
