The Greatest Rugby Rivalry series between South Africa and New Zealand is nearing its end with a 3rd Test match set to take place this Saturday (5 September) and the series is tied at 1-1.
Dave Rennie, the New Zealand coach, spoke out about the outrageous scrum tactics that South Africa played out.
South Africa bounced back from their opening Test defeat at Ellis Park to level Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series at 1-1 but the scrum controversy that dominated the build-up has continued after the final whistle.
All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie had raised concerns with World Rugby over South Africa’s scrummaging following the first Test; claiming the Springboks were able to "walk around" New Zealand.
Rennie again raised the issue following Saturday’s defeat and revealed he would flag it with World Rugby.
The illegal tactic is employed to get the edge in the set-piece battle.
Springbok coach, Rassie Erasmus, has vehemently denied the accusation, saying it’s another example of Rennie hinting at technical issues in the media because the All Blacks are under pressure.
The latest controversy completely overshadows the Springboks’ 33-26 victory over the All Blacks in Cape Town; which levelled Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series at one all, with two matches to play.
Rennie went straight to the media with another accusation, this time against the Bok pack.
"I think Angus [Gardner] [match referee] was pretty strong around setting a mark and then trying to keep the hookers in the same sort of spacing. If the Springboks moved across further left, then he stopped them. So we will give a bit of feedback around that. It is still a bit of an issue for us because they were able to walk around and go straight through our tighthead."
"If the Springboks moved across further left, then he stopped them. We’ll give them a bit of feedback around that; it’s still a bit of an issue for us because they’re able to walk around and go straight through our tighthead. So, there’ll be a couple of little technical things that we’ll share again."
"But I thought in the end, both teams were able to play off the scrums so I think Angus did a reasonable job there."
Those comments were quickly brought to Erasmus’ attention, and were met with firm opposition.
"We’ve been playing with this pack of guys together for years, and it’s the first time in history that people are talking about us walking around," Erasmus told reporters. "So why would we all of a sudden start walking around now?"
"The first six scrums in New Zealand’s half, they had every single one collapsed. And it was reset, reset, reset, reset. So why is it only on their ball that the scrums collapse every single time?"
"So don’t come with that nonsense and say we’re walking around and try and put things out in the media."
The South Africa coach went on to mention various calls in the Ellis Park Test that didn’t go his side’s way and highlight the yellow card that Lood de Jager received in the 78th minute.
"Don’t try to convince the people through the media, because that’s what happened in the first week; they tried to convince people we slow the game down and we’re not. So if the referees get caught up by that, then it obviously was a plan to get that message out, and we don’t want to stay quiet and just say ‘oh yeah, you’re right, we’re walking around’. We’re not f*cking walking around. We’re scrumming through."
The Springbok boss then turned his attention to what he viewed as selective criticism.
"If I start putting things out…like their last line-out was skew – but I’m not going to moan my a*** off about that. So, if you just want to start moaning about stuff like that, then they’re under pressure."
Erasmus also raised concerns about head-contact incidents during the match. "Last week we didn’t moan after there was clear head contact a lot of the time. And today, in the first 40 minutes, there were four head contacts, and nothing was done about it, and then Lood de Jager gets the first one."
Erasmus acknowledged that his response could produce headlines but urged reporters to include the full context of his comments.
"So the moment we start moaning, and if you’re taking a clip of what I said at the end, it’s going to be a sensational headline. But please don’t do it. Put the whole thing where I’m answering it."
"Don’t try and convince the people through the media, because that was what happened in the last week. They [All Blacks] tried to convince the people in the media, and we’re not going to take it."
Erasmus was adamant that South Africa would not simply accept the criticism of their scrummaging.
"So if the referees get caught up by that, then there’s obviously a plan to get that message out. And then we don’t want to stay quiet and just say, ‘Oh, you’re right, we’re walking around’."
"We’re not f–ing walking around. We scrum straight. So, you know, we’ve never, ever, ever been accused of walking around. So I don’t understand."
The match ended with the Springboks owning a 75% success rate at scrum time and New Zealand operating at 100%.
Erasmus began his response to the next question by saying: "I apologise if I say things in the wrong way sometimes; I’m not great at that."
Shortly after, he cited his impassioned remarks and called out Rennie for attempting to push a "false narrative." "I would never criticise things that’s brilliant, but they mustn’t talk about things that’s not really bad and try and put a false narrative out there."
I believe this whole thing is just a reaction to a loss. It's a pure case of sour grapes. If New Zealand had won the match; I'm pretty sure they would overlook the action.
I know I'm being a bit biased but every coach develops a unique way to play the game. You can't always cry and moan when something new hits you square in the face. You should accept it and try to develop a way to counter it.