FlyHalfDown's Roar Profile

Thanks for the welcome. And I have been reading Harry’s contributions and would agree with you.

'Wild honesty and deep anger' vs the 'good company man': Coaching box culture clash at heart of World Cup final

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Rugby

Oct

Thanks for being gracious. As I said it was a great read.

'Wild honesty and deep anger' vs the 'good company man': Coaching box culture clash at heart of World Cup final

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Rugby

Oct

A fun read, but trying to shoehorn a contrast of coaches into what is essentially a hagiography of Rassie Erasmus didn’t really do justice to the minds behind both teams. The final is going to be a titanic struggle between two great teams that have taken very different paths over the last four years to get here.

An article that lays the contrast between the enigmatic and innovative Erasmus and the pedestrian besieged Foster has some potential. Sadly this is not that piece.
Instead we get Erasmus’ Oliver Twist childhood, a random list of innovations and indiscretions and the huge revelation that SA no longer draws the bulk of their considerable bulk from the veldt any more. On that last point hasn’t every national team followed that same path from the paddock to the agent’s office?

For all his considerable failings, I don’t think Foster’s public persona gives enough to build the contrast that is intended here. How is he so resilient? Why did he stick with the job when all were against him? There is an enigmatic quality to him that has never been fully explained, beyond pointing to his assistants.

A better contrast would be with Erasmus and that other technicolor coach Eddie Jones. How has Erasmus kept his wilder inclinations in check or at least learned from them and garnered long term success, while Jones burns like phosphorus and leaves the toxic oxides in his wake.
But the smash and grab went awry and you are left with having to squeeze Foster into the narrative.

I am new to the site and there is much to enjoy here, including this article. I can’t wait for Saturday!

'Wild honesty and deep anger' vs the 'good company man': Coaching box culture clash at heart of World Cup final

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Rugby

Oct

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