Eddie Jones, the sharp-eyed Japan head coach, has thrown heaps of praise towards Rassie Erasmus for the bold move of letting his young Springboks squad run wild against the All Blacks, leading to a thunderous 43-10 victory in Wellington. In a strategic chess move, Erasmus fielded a green backline with a mere 173 caps combined, yet this gamble paid off spectacularly, showcasing a dynamic and expansive play style that was starkly different from their earlier encounter.
Discussing the game's tactics, Jones pointed out, "Rassie smartly gave the youngsters the nod early in the week, which really built their confidence to play to their strengths and essentially dismantle New Zealand on their own turf." This approach not only rejuvenated the team but also hinted at Erasmus's vision for the upcoming 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Former Wallabies coach Ewan McKenzie, who analyzed the match alongside Jones, suggested that Erasmus originally intended to use this youthful lineup throughout the Rugby Championship but hesitated after a tough loss to Australia.
"I suspect that’s how Rassie wanted to start the series, and they played that way in the first game at Ellis Park,"
McKenzie commented on the Rugby Unity podcast. He noted the strategic shift back to youth was a definitive factor in their commanding performance.
The standout performances didn't go unnoticed, especially that of Ethan Hooker on the wing, who dazzled with his agility and a mazy run leading to a try. McKenzie marveled at his prowess, indicating that such players are essential for the brand of rugby Erasmus aspires to establish.
Adding to the accolades, Jones highlighted Damian Willemse's explosive role in the game, saying,
"That Willemse is an athletic beast, but we haven’t seen him actually ever play like that to that extent, where he’s running over the top of people."
He elaborated on how Erasmus's early-week instructions to kick from their half and unleash in the opposition's territory fundamentally freed up players like Willemse to make impactful plays.
The success of this strategy was evident as the Springboks not only secured a historic victory but also set the stage for what could be a transformative era in South African rugby under Rassie Erasmus's adventurous leadership.
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Eddie Jones, the sharp-eyed Japan head coach, has thrown heaps of praise towards Rassie Erasmus for the bold move of letting his young Springboks squad run wild against the All Blacks, leading to a thunderous 43-10 victory in Wellington. In a strategic chess move, Erasmus fielded a green backline with a mere 173 caps combined, yet this gamble paid off spectacularly, showcasing a dynamic and expansive play style that was starkly different from their earlier encounter.
Discussing the game's tactics, Jones pointed out, "Rassie smartly gave the youngsters the nod early in the week, which really built their confidence to play to their strengths and essentially dismantle New Zealand on their own turf." This approach not only rejuvenated the team but also hinted at Erasmus's vision for the upcoming 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Former Wallabies coach Ewan McKenzie, who analyzed the match alongside Jones, suggested that Erasmus originally intended to use this youthful lineup throughout the Rugby Championship but hesitated after a tough loss to Australia.
"I suspect that’s how Rassie wanted to start the series, and they played that way in the first game at Ellis Park,"
McKenzie commented on the Rugby Unity podcast. He noted the strategic shift back to youth was a definitive factor in their commanding performance.The standout performances didn't go unnoticed, especially that of Ethan Hooker on the wing, who dazzled with his agility and a mazy run leading to a try. McKenzie marveled at his prowess, indicating that such players are essential for the brand of rugby Erasmus aspires to establish.
Adding to the accolades, Jones highlighted Damian Willemse's explosive role in the game, saying,
"That Willemse is an athletic beast, but we haven’t seen him actually ever play like that to that extent, where he’s running over the top of people."
He elaborated on how Erasmus's early-week instructions to kick from their half and unleash in the opposition's territory fundamentally freed up players like Willemse to make impactful plays.The success of this strategy was evident as the Springboks not only secured a historic victory but also set the stage for what could be a transformative era in South African rugby under Rassie Erasmus's adventurous leadership.