There is no singular and universal way to manage and coach a team. Each manager/coach has their own unique way of doing things. However, there can be times when one may try to emulate an already established and successful one.
In regards to this, there has been talk of coaches wanting to copy the tactics of Rassie Erasmus, the highly successful South African rugby coach. Steve Hansen has disagreed with that sentiment.
The "rugby copycat" narrative, highlighted by Steve Hansen, refers to teams, including the Crusaders and All Blacks, mimicking South Africa's successful Rassie Erasmus-led tactics, such as the "Bomb Squad" hybrid strategies.
Teams are attempting to replicate this winning blueprint, focusing on heavy forward impact and hybrid player roles, rather than creating their own unique strategies
Former All Blacks coach, Steve Hansen, reckons the rugby world has become obsessed with trying to replicate Rassie Erasmus’ Springbok tactics. Instead, Hansen warns that blindly copying the back-to-back world champions’ formula isn’t a surefire success strategy.
South Africa and New Zealand will lock horns in a blockbuster four-Test Greatest Rivalry series later this year and speaking on the DSPN podcast; Hansen emphasised that every nation needs to find its own identity.
"What Rassie Erasmus has done, it seems like everyone in world rugby is looking at that and saying: 'That’s the model'," the 2015 World Cup winner said. "Everyone thinks they have to react the same way, behave the same way, select the same way and treat their players the same way.”
Hansen acknowledges there are lessons to be learned from Erasmus and the Boks’ success, but questions whether the Kiwis could ever fully adopt the same approach.
"You can take elements of it," he explained. “But I’m not convinced New Zealand can follow that exact same model or that it’s right for our country."
Steve Hansen has expressed concerns, saying that blindly mimicking this style isn't a guaranteed winning formula and that it has created an "obsession" with the South African system.
Hansen, too, insists the Boks aren’t invincible: "Of course they can be beaten. Everyone can be beaten. “If you get comfortable, you’ll get beaten and if you make mistakes in your preparation, you’ll get beaten."
On the return of a full-scale All Blacks tour to the Republic, the 66-year-old added: "South Africa is steeped in history and traditionally our strongest foe. They’re a wonderful side at the moment and it creates a lot of excitement and challenges for New Zealand."
South African coach, Franco Smith, has jokingly rebuked comparisons between himself and Springboks chief Rassie Erasmus.
The controversial but highly effective 7-1 bench is the brainchild of Smith’s countryman Rassie Erasmus, who introduced the tactic to the world when he first utilised it at Test level with the Springboks.
When asked about using the Springboks’ 7-1 bench blueprint, Smith jokingly said that the tactic was originally his rather than Erasmus’.
"I’m disappointed that you are comparing me with Rassie Erasmus!" said the Glasgow Warriors head coach. "I think we’ve shown over the last two-and-a-half years that he’s copying us, isn’t he?"
"I said from the start [of his Warriors tenure] that my philosophy is to pick the players that are going to be on the field in the last 20 minutes first. That is the part of the game where nobody goes to the fridge to get another beer."
"At the same time, it allows us to rotate the squad with an eye on the numerous high-quality games that are still to come. But this is not the bomb squad being copied. I think the Rassie Erasmus bomb squad was copied from us!"
South African Franco Smith — who is being touted as the next head coach of the Scottish Test team — has reaffirmed his status as one of the best coaches in world rugby by guiding his Glasgow Warriors team to unprecedented success in recent months and weeks.
Many teams are trying to replicate the Springboks' physical, forward-dominated game, often referred to as a "copycat" approach to their back-to-back world champion tactics.
Super Rugby side, the Crusaders, are specifically noted for implementing similar strategies, such as using back players in the forwards and focusing on rucks, similar to Andre Esterhuizen's style; in an attempt to replicate the Springbok hybrid player model.
Previously, Eddie Jones criticized Australian rugby for trying to copy New Zealand's playing style, calling for a return to a more authentic Australian approach
This obsession with copying the top team's strategy is seen as a way to mimic success but it risks reducing innovation in the sport, as top coaches like Rassie Erasmus are seen as constantly evolving and always "one step ahead."
I have to agree with Steve Hansen. Mimicking a successful approach won't succeed with every team. Teams have to find their own way to being successful. Copying isn't a blueprint for winning. It can be one for failure.