South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus will finally face a disciplinary hearing after World Rugby announced his misconduct charge will be held at the end of the month.
Erasmus was charged after releasing an hour-long video during the Springboks’ series victory over the British and Irish Lions this winter in which he criticised the second Test performance of Australian referee Nic Berry.
SA Rugby has also been charged with misconduct and the independent hearings are scheduled to take place over the weekend of October 30 and 31.
(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
“Following the provision of detailed written submissions and evidence from Mr Erasmus, SA Rugby and World Rugby, a request was received from SA Rugby and Mr Erasmus for an oral hearing, which has been granted,” a statement read.
“The hearing date, set in consultation with the parties, is the earliest possible date taking into account previous commitments of all parties, participants and the multiple time zones involved.
“The independent disciplinary committee will publish a full written decision following the completion of the entire proceedings.”
If the charge is upheld then Erasmus faces a ban and/or a fine, while SA Rugby could be fined.
Erasmus’ controversial methods during the Lions series, which also included the use of a ‘burner’ account on Twitter to highlight foul play by the tourists, were strongly rebuked by World Rugby in August.
The mastermind of South Africa’s 2019 World Cup triumph remained at home while the Springboks played in the recent Rugby Championship in Australia.
Jannie
Roar Rookie
October has come and gone. The verdict should certainly be finalised by now.?
Praetorian
Guest
Rassie wants an open hearing .So the public can watch the deliberations . Request refused by WR .Why would that be ? Let's have it live on YouTube and see how this plays out .
Praetorian
Guest
So not a kangaroo court then HJ ??
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Waiting to release his new blockbuster before he tells us how he pleads...Im thinking INSANITY!!!
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Hi Brett, While I don't comment much these days, I feel it would be good to put a reminder here. Had the rugby officials you speak of actually been consistent and allowed Erasmus the post match platform that every other coach gets He is not the coach, so gets no platform. He was allowed on the field as a water boy precisely because he was not the coach. SA Rugby can not have it both ways, which I am sure you would agree. Erasmus is royalty in SA, so the danger is that people are letting that loyalty get in the way of objective discussions. Rugby use to be the gentleman's sport where the referee was respected on field and proper conversations were handled in the proper space. Below is a link to an old Roar article that touches on that. It might be time for a refresher on what makes our game great and what sets us apart from the other codes that allow free-for-alls on the officials. https://www.theroar.com.au/2013/09/19/wasnt-rugby-supposed-to-be-a-gentlemans-game/
CW Moss
Roar Rookie
I see a gap in the back-line here. An International Rugby Ref arrives at St Peter's Gate to learn if Rugby is indeed played in Heaven or Hell. "A Rugby Ref?, this will be interesting". "Ref, Have you ever made a serious mistake, anywhere in the world?". "Hmm, no, wait ... well maybe. I was the Ref for a Springboks vs All Blacks match at Ellis Park and brought play back for a scrum when the crowd thought it was a pushover try. The TMO went out because of technical difficulties and that left me to decide". "That was difficult. Who won?". "NZ. It was the last throw of the dice, full-time. The ball shot out the side of the scrum and out over the sideline". "When did this happen?". "A few seconds ago!".
CW Moss
Roar Rookie
He's not playing so anything other than a big fine are going to be very hard to "police".
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
I think you fundamentally misunderstand Erasmus' motivation behind going public in the fashion he did. And that view has nothing at all to do with where I live.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
That was the one Rassie conducted in his video.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Rassie is not your coach so has no entitlement to "what every other coach gets" but he would have access to every possible non public solution . He chose to go public with a 62 min video. I gather "Royalty" in your country means "do as you please"? Wasnt Hansie Cronje Royalty in your country? Rassie is the perfect example of someone who believes that decency, rules and protocol are for "Others" and he arrogantly believes he is allowed to follow different rules to the rest of the world.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
He showed a total lack of integrity. No fine is too high and no ban is too long.
biltong
Guest
I should request it to be entered into the Oxford dictionary then. With my explanation. I can see it used with eloquence in a sentence. "The poor lad was rather pleasant but quite densitive."
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
That's me. Well, maybe not sensitive but certainly dense
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I think I knew it was a typo but they rarely present anything so delicious. Perfect combination
biltong
Guest
I am just joking, was a fat finger. Bet I almost had you :laughing:
biltong
Guest
My own creation. :silly: Combo of dense and sensitive. You know, simple folk - dense Tender souls - sensitive.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
EFF. I know you've made the points countless times that it will be difficult to prove he leaked the video but it's a pretty pisspoor defence - I know what I did was wrong but you can't prove I leaked it. Ergo, I'm not guilty. There has to be a higher standard our senior figures in the game are held to than that.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I love densitive as a word. I think that's the description of me I've been waiting a lifetime for
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Professional refs have a boss and are judged on performance. They, like anybody else performing a job, don't deserve to be hounded by an outside influencer with an agenda. If you want more accountability, that's a reasonable goal. Using a platform provided by a national body to take them down is out of order however.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I agree a 12 month ban with some period of probation is appropriate. The value of any additional fine needs to be punitive without being ridiculous. The waterboy incident on the Gold Coast can have no bearing on proceedings