Gregor Townsend has made an explosive claim about banned South African Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus, saying he sledged one of the Scotland players during last week’s match.
Townsend, who was an assistant Lions coach on the tour that led to Erasmus’ 11 month match day ban this week, welcomed the punishment.
Speaking on Friday (AEDT), Townsend said he had been shown a video of Erasmus “sledging” a Scotland player during the game as the South African underwent ‘water boy’ duties.
“I wasn’t really aware of it at the time but someone showed me a video of him making comments about one of our players, a character assassination or sledging or whatever,” said Townsend.
(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
“That’s not the role of coaches; it’s not the role of anybody on the sidelines to be doing that.
“If we want our sport to go down a different route then we allow these things to happen. That was really disappointing to see and I know it wasn’t the only incident over the weekend, over that game.”
Townsend also expressed concern that Erasmus’ criticism of the referee Nic Berry after the first Lions Test was not dealt with sooner. It took almost four months between Erasmus’ 62-minute video detailing his issues with Berry and his punishment by World Rugby.
The delay caused distress to the Australian referee, who told the tribunal he felt “forever tarnished”.
“That was a really bad episode for our game,” said Townsend, who was Lions attack coach in South Africa.
“I was there at the time so I experienced what was going on.
“I have since spoken to Nic Berry about it and he went through a really tough time and so did his family. That was a real shame and a pity that these things can happen in our sport. I don’t think it could have been allowed to continue.
“Those antics – we can’t fall into that trap of winning at all costs and putting pressure on individuals.
“It has been a while for that decision to come. That would be my only frustration, that it has taken so long to come to this decision.
“I feel that whatever happens around a game, whether it’s a player or a coach or someone related to the game like a physio, decisions have to be made more quickly.
“I would urge World Rugby to make further changes. Why do we need coaches on the sidelines? If they are on the sidelines they have to live up to certain behaviours and values that we pride in our game, which sadly I felt over the summer and since then have been lost.”
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie also expressed his sympathy for Berry.
“All I’ll say is at the time it was hugely disappointing,” said Rennie. “Nic’s a fantastic referee, a good man. I was disappointed in how he was treated – I felt Nic deserved better than that.”
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
She also shouts at the AR about whats happening on the field.
piru
Roar Rookie
Yes, please tell me more, anonymous poster we've never seen before. You're the real hero, aren't you?
Jacko
Roar Rookie
How did I get personal? He should of had the balls to take it thru the correct channels and you saying porkies like "Getting personal" does talk a lot about your upbringing! Kinda Funny...
Fred Viljoen
Guest
Not if its true
Fred Viljoen
Guest
Pining for the good ol day are ya?
Fred Viljoen
Guest
He was saying what you all think. He just had the balls to say it. Getting personal about it talks about your upbringing... Kinda funny...
Fred Viljoen
Guest
Your statement says more about you then him. :laughing:
Fred Viljoen
Guest
So... just like EVERY OTHER TEAM?
Fred Viljoen
Guest
Respect world rugby? lol
piru
Roar Rookie
Just a little reminder to the mental deficient - it's on coaches to coach to the laws. If your team is conceding penalties, it's because you're not coaching well. Pdv was a joke, it had nothing to do with reffing. Unless of course you're South African and unable to ever accept responsibility for anything
Wayne
Roar Rookie
24 hours later and we can most probably add Ian Foster to the list. When Dave Rennie is one day forced to fall on his sword as well then you can come back to my comment.
Double Agent
Guest
See ya! :laughing:
Double Agent
Guest
"anything can happen." Yeah it did. In 1992 both WBs and ABs beat them comfortably. End of.
Ex force fan
Guest
The Boks are never the favourites to win the World Cup. However they do very well in knockout competitions… no-one can with certainty say that the Boks would have won. They surely had a good enough team in 1987 and 1991 to make the finals and then anything can happen.
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
Short Arm, stop letting facts get in the way of a good story.
Colvin Brown
Roar Guru
?
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
Mel..It's hard when she is so pretty...
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
Notkev are you referring to Mark keohane with the money man Ferguson..
Peter
Guest
Tennis? Honestly? You going to compare a sport played by individuals to a more complex team sport? Aussies really are holier than thou! Like the likes of Cheika has been a model of sportsmanship. Oh please! Berry falls in the same category as Bryce Lawrence as a ref, except he is more of a girl. Playing the poor victim, whilst he was inept!
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
She"s not a looker ? :stoked: