Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus detailed why the new joint World Rugby protocol for pre-match meetings with referees makes tactical discussions impossible ahead of the second match against the All Blacks in Cape Town.
The main rivalry in rugby
Rassie Erasmus, head coach of the Springboks, revealed the reason for his decision not to meet with Georgian referee Nikko Amashukeli before the match scheduled for Saturday against the All Blacks in Cape Town. Previously, Erasmus and his counterpart from the All Blacks, Dave Rennie, also did not meet with English referee Matthew Carley before the first match at Ellis Park, which the visitors won 33–16, and the reason was the new World Rugby protocol.
This new regulation limits the amount of feedback that coaching staff can receive from officials. Until July, teams were allowed to provide unlimited feedback to referees. Now this has changed: teams can upload a maximum of six video clips with accompanying comments to the World Rugby Athlete Management System (AMS).
Now, any team's coaching staff can only meet with the referee before a match with the approval of the opposing team and in its presence. However, it seems unlikely that such a meeting, involving both teams and the referee, will take place during this four-match series.
Erasmus stated this week: 'In my opinion, it is impossible to discuss anything with the referee in the presence of another coach.' He added: 'I would say, 'Look, we are concerned about this in the scrum,' and he would reply, 'But we do it in the scrum.' Erasmus noted that the element of surprise would be lost, and tactics would be revealed during a meeting with both coaches in one room.'
He continued: 'You can say, 'These guys clear the ball very well on the ruck... will you watch that?', but you cannot have such a discussion in front of the referee because then the opposing coach will know what you are paying attention to. So what are you discussing with the referee? Guys, are you going to play according to the rules? The rules of the game are the rules, so it is almost impossible.'
Nevertheless, Erasmus clarified that he and Rennie maintain friendly relations, and there is no animosity between the two coaches despite refusing joint meetings with referees. Erasmus added: 'Dave and I had a beer meeting [after the Ellis Park match], and we are going to meet on Friday to have a beer in Cape Town. But without the referee.' He concluded: 'In my opinion, there is no logic in two coaches meeting together and discussing the rules with the referee.'