New Zealand broadcaster and journalist Scotty Stevenson has slammed Rassie Erasmus, accusing the Springbok boss of gamesmanship and bucking the system.
Speaking on SENZ Radio, Stevenson criticised Erasmus after the Bok coach initially ruled out Eben Etzebeth during a midweek press conference for Saturday’s clash against the All Blacks, only to announce him fit 24 hours later.
He further suggested the two-time World Cup-winning tactician treats “the world like his own kind of empire”. While Stevenson acknowledged Erasmus’ clever maneuvering, he expressed frustration with the “straight out lies” surrounding the team announcement on Tuesday, noting that Etzebeth’s sudden recovery from a knee injury was implausible.
“The All Blacks team was named five o’clock last night. Now, there was plenty of chat on the run home last night, but we’ll talk about the Kiwis in a second,” Stevenson said.
“But what about Rassie Erasmus? Does he just treat the world like his own kind of empire now, does he?
“If Eben Etzebeth has been named on the bench a day after saying he’s been ruled out with a knee injury, he was never ruled out. That just doesn’t happen. And you know, the games this guy [Erasmus] plays, you know, like there’s a part of me that says is well played, sir. There’s another part of you that just gets sick of it.
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“And the one thing I noticed in the press conference this week and the video coverage. Is it just me, or is Rassie Erasmus looking every day more like Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, leader of the House of Harkonnen from Dune? Like, seriously, what’s going on? How much Klippies [brandy] and Coke has he been on?
“Honestly, he’s just sitting there and he reminds me of, and this is not a weight issue, but he had the countenance of Jabba the Hutt, sort of a man just holding court and just knowing that he was the boss of his empire in that moment. It is really strange.
“But Eben Etzebeth, like there’s no way, if you’ve got an MCL that’s ruled you out of a Test, you’re not starting on the bench.
“So the one thing I’d say about that is, you know, it’s one thing to play games, it’s another just a straight out lie about your team list.
“I find that a little bit strange, especially given where sport is and the decisions people are making around sports. And I think, you know where I’m getting at for those listeners at home. You know, it’s just gaming the system.
“And, you know, I know he’s treated as king in South Africa, but you know, he treads a line, doesn’t he?”
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
The post Kiwi hack: Rassie rules like ‘Jabba the Hutt’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
