In an electrifying revelation on the Behind the Ruck podcast, Eddie Jones delved into his eye-opening experience with Rassie Erasmus' analytical prowess during the 2007 Rugby World Cup. As he stepped into a brief advisory role for the Springboks under then-head coach Jake White, Jones inherited Erasmus' laptop and with it, a treasure trove of rugby insights.
"I had the pleasure of taking over Rassie’s computer in the 2007 World Cup, right? He was the technical adviser. And then he went and joined the Stormers [as director of rugby]," Jones shared, his tone reflecting both respect and amazement at Erasmus' meticulous approach to the game.
Erasmus, known for his deep love for rugby and his innovative strategies, left a lasting impression on Jones. "I’ve never seen such detailed information, you know? And so he [Erasmus] loves rugby. He’s a rugby guru. He’s prepared to back his ideas and he’s always looking for something new," Jones explained.
"He’s a rugby guru. He loves it. He’s prepared to back his ideas and he’s always looking for something new."
Despite some criticisms of Erasmus' unconventional methods, such as the midfield lineout strategy used against Italy, Jones acknowledged the boldness behind these decisions. "He does the homework, you know? I didn’t enjoy that sort of [midfield] lineout setup he did [introduced in a Test against Italy in Gqeberha last year]. But you’ve got to credit him, it’s showing great initiative. So, he keeps doing that," he remarked.
Recalling a specific instance from a game, Jones highlighted Erasmus' strategic thinking. "You know you’re going to win the game [against Italy]. So first scrum, let’s go after them. So he does the deliberate 5m kick off... You know, that used to happen 30 years ago in the French league. Montpellier, who had the biggest pack, always kicked the first kick out and then the first scrum, bang, it’s on, big five, here we go," Jones recounted with a hint of nostalgia and admiration.
Apart from his tactical acumen, Erasmus' prowess in player selection and management also came under Jones' spotlight. "I think he’s a really clever, good coach. But I think his great attribute is his selection skill. I think that’s what he’s done better than anyone," Jones praised, acknowledging the multifaceted skill set that Erasmus brings to the table.
As the conversation wrapped up, it was clear that Erasmus' influence on rugby strategy remains profound, continually pushing the boundaries of conventional coaching and game planning.
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In an electrifying revelation on the Behind the Ruck podcast, Eddie Jones delved into his eye-opening experience with Rassie Erasmus' analytical prowess during the 2007 Rugby World Cup. As he stepped into a brief advisory role for the Springboks under then-head coach Jake White, Jones inherited Erasmus' laptop and with it, a treasure trove of rugby insights.
"I had the pleasure of taking over Rassie’s computer in the 2007 World Cup, right? He was the technical adviser. And then he went and joined the Stormers [as director of rugby]," Jones shared, his tone reflecting both respect and amazement at Erasmus' meticulous approach to the game.
Erasmus, known for his deep love for rugby and his innovative strategies, left a lasting impression on Jones. "I’ve never seen such detailed information, you know? And so he [Erasmus] loves rugby. He’s a rugby guru. He’s prepared to back his ideas and he’s always looking for something new," Jones explained.
"He’s a rugby guru. He loves it. He’s prepared to back his ideas and he’s always looking for something new."
Despite some criticisms of Erasmus' unconventional methods, such as the midfield lineout strategy used against Italy, Jones acknowledged the boldness behind these decisions. "He does the homework, you know? I didn’t enjoy that sort of [midfield] lineout setup he did [introduced in a Test against Italy in Gqeberha last year]. But you’ve got to credit him, it’s showing great initiative. So, he keeps doing that," he remarked.
Recalling a specific instance from a game, Jones highlighted Erasmus' strategic thinking. "You know you’re going to win the game [against Italy]. So first scrum, let’s go after them. So he does the deliberate 5m kick off... You know, that used to happen 30 years ago in the French league. Montpellier, who had the biggest pack, always kicked the first kick out and then the first scrum, bang, it’s on, big five, here we go," Jones recounted with a hint of nostalgia and admiration.
Apart from his tactical acumen, Erasmus' prowess in player selection and management also came under Jones' spotlight. "I think he’s a really clever, good coach. But I think his great attribute is his selection skill. I think that’s what he’s done better than anyone," Jones praised, acknowledging the multifaceted skill set that Erasmus brings to the table.
As the conversation wrapped up, it was clear that Erasmus' influence on rugby strategy remains profound, continually pushing the boundaries of conventional coaching and game planning.