I have been reading an article about Rassie Erasmus the coach of the South African rugby team at last years World Cup. They went on to win it which shocked many who obviously don't know Erasmus.
As a coach he is street wise and way ahead of any other coach out there at the moment. I have followed his career from his playing days right through to his current role and has always intrigued me on how he thinks and does things. When he did something it was always taken further than others had in the past.
During his day he was a top player and straight after his playing days threw himself into coaching. Instead of sitting in the stands he would be sitting on top of the grand stand having a birds eye view of what was happening. Armed with walkie talkies he would call different plays from the highest point in the ground.
He then went one better having his physio become the assistant coach allowing him access to the players during the game. Only medical staff are allowed on the field during each half of play. The coach could now get proper messages through and change things as the game progressed. Players will drop down and play injured so this could happen if ordered to.
The article I was reading was an extract from his book called "Miracle men" which talks about what they did differently. Being a referee I have always said that if anyone can change a game it is the person with the whistle. I have witnessed far too may games where the right call was not made and yet it has such an impact on the final.
Erasmus obviously saw this and put a plan into action way deeper than others have in the past. Each referee blows a game differently concentrating on certain parts of the game that possibly others are more lenient on. I think it is human nature that we don't even know we are doing certain things yet it is obvious to people who understand the laws of the game.
Knowing how a referee will blow the game is only the tip of the iceberg as he went way deeper. Staying on the referees good side will help when certain calls could go either way. Knowing Jerome Garces liked structure to the game the players always made sure they were at the next set piece and ready so there was no breaks.
Garces rates his physique so instead of ignoring it players would comment saying how fit he was keeping up with play. He would be given compliments on everything he did. Players who were much taller than him would put their hands on their knees so he wouldn't feel intimidated whilst talking to them. Maybe he suffered from short man syndrome which many short people do and is a real thing believe it or not. Stupid I know but if he cares about his physique then I guarantee you his height bugs him.
This type of thinking came about the year before when Owen Farrell had a high tackle deemed legitimate in a game against England. Everyone knew he lead with the shoulder and it was an automatic red card yet the English got away with it and won the game. Jerome Garces was referring that game and up until then had a nickname of Napoleon for dishing out red cards. Other referees were simple and not so complex as him so work was needed.
What Erasmus did was train the team to ask questions in such a way. They used to role play at practice on how to come up with not so obvious compliments. I can picture the players ribbing each other on this, but you can't argue as it worked a treat in the final. I am not a fan of brown nosing and they obviously felt there was a need for it with him.
In the past many of us knew if Steve Walsh was refereeing a match any South African team was in trouble. The Sharks were even in a worse predicament as it was their fault as one of their players who had an affair with his wife. Not exactly going to win many margin calls out of him and possibly instead of sweeping it under the carpet should have limited his actions in South African involved games. Not many knew about this except the players as it is not something you openly advertise. One of those situations where you say suck it up buttercup and move on. I still find it funny though.
