Rassie Erasmus v Evan Roos is more Rassie Erasmus reincarnated as a player. If DHL Stormers No 8 Roos, among the best performing loose-forwards in the league, can’t crack a Springboks squad of 54 then SA Rugby is the only loser.
Roos is a powerful on-field presence for the Stormers. Erasmus was the equal, not necessarily as physical but in another class in skill and mental appreciation of the game.
But both players have an attitude a coach can either embrace, within reason, or avoid, without reason.
Springboks coach Nick Mallett embraced Rassie, within reason. Cats coach Laurie Mains embraced Rassie, within reason. Springboks coach Harry Viljoen avoided Rassie, without reason.
My context to with or without reason: With reason is absolutely clear communication to the player. It starts with: ‘I think you are the best or in the top tier in this country in your position, which is why you are in the squad. To be a presence and inspiring influence, this is the framework within which you operate.’ Without reason: ‘His personality and attitude are too draining to navigate or change. There are less talented but more enjoyable options.’
Mallett picked Rassie for 32 of his 36 Tests. He did so when all around him, from the Cape, said don’t pick him. Pick Andrew Aitken … hell pick anyone but him. He and Bob Skinstad can’t stand each other. Rassie is not good for the team. He is all about himself. He is selfish, self centred and destructive.
Mallett said: He is first and foremost a great rugby player. And I want him in my team. The rest I will deal with.
Viljoen, who I worked with, was not interested to work with a player with all those characteristics. He went for a lesser skilled player, but, for him, a calmer team influence.
Erasmus, publicly, has said he would not have picked ‘Rassie the Player’.
Roos stands big in size and walks even bigger. He was a giant at schools level at Paarl Boys High, but was reduced to a dwarf when joining the Sharks. He returned to Cape Town humbled and humiliated and Stormers coach John Dobson started rewiring the giant within the battered schools star.
Roos, in bucketloads, has rewarded Dobson’s ability to manage the off-field young man to dovetail with the fantastically talented player on the field.
Roos was comfortably the Stormers best forward post his shoulder operation in the Stormers final matches of the season.
He is good enough to be in every national squad (of 54) in the world.
