While he’s lauded Rassie Erasmus and the Springboks for bringing some creative elements into their game, All Blacks coach Scott Robertson says it has been done before.
South Africa stunned Italy with a 45-0 demolition in Gqeberha on Saturday, but it was the clever tactics employed by Erasmus that caught the attention of the rugby world – including the All Blacks camp.
From an intentional infringement off the kickoff to inventive open-play maul formations, the Boks’ new tricks have sparked debate across the globe.
Robertson, though, believes that’s a win for the sport.
“That’s the great thing about rugby, you can be innovative, you can use your strengths, and surprise people,” said Robertson.
It’s pretty unique, isn’t it? We’re talking about it, it’s great for our game.”
“It shows why you’re there – you’re there to scrum, and that’s a big part of our game,” Robertson explained.
It’s not new, but it shows the intentions, doesn’t it?”
“We had a hell of a scrum. [We] kicked it out on the full, with the forward pack just standing behind the kicker,” he recalled. “I was just ready to have a scrum.”
The Boks also deployed lineout-style lifts in open play – with props lifting ball-carriers as if they were contesting a kick – to set up rolling mauls. The ploy directly led to tries for Canan Moodie and Malcolm Marx.
Asked whether Erasmus and his team were pushing the limits too far, Robertson could only praise what the South Africans are doing.
“We’re talking about it, that’s the good thing. That’s the point of difference from every other sport. People have got an opinion on it, World Rugby will look at it, and say play on, or do we change? But it’s pretty innovative.”
