South Africa’s director of Rassie Erasmus has once again rejected the accusation he was responsible for a leaked video that criticised Australian referee Nic Berry handling of the first Test between South Africa and the Lions last summer.
In an exclusive interview with Nik Symon (Mail on Sunday), Erasmus reiterated that he was not responsible for the video appearing on social media, for which he received a two month ban from World Rugby from all rugby activity and another that precludes him from being involved in match day activity until September this year.
He spoke about the direct impact the accusations had on his family. “People think I leaked that video. I didn’t. Why would I screw up my whole career to do that? I’ve got twin girls, 18 years old, who are at school and they hear other parents telling them how their dad had f***** it all up.
“My mum is at an old-age home and they’re showing her articles saying, ‘Rassie’s lost it, he’s got depression, he’s drunk’. I want to tell the world that, swearing on my youngest child’s life, I did not leak that video.”
Erasmus confirmed that he sent Berry match footage in which he sought clarification on decisions but, frustrated by a lack of feedback, he filmed a video with voiceover that he sent to relevant parties including World Rugby head of referees, Joel Jutge and former Ireland coach, World Rugby’s director of rugby and high performance, Joe Schmidt, his players and coaches .
He explained: “I submitted the video link to the restricted group using Vimeo, which is secure and safe. It was not possible for anyone to even search for the video on any search engine without the link. I looked at the viewing history and eight of the first 35 views were in Australia. Why on earth would I leak it to guys in Australia?
“Listen, the mistake I made was not putting a password on the link. I compounded that by not warning that it was confidential. So I accept and agree with World Rugby’s finding that a public leak was almost inevitable.
“I have to live with that and I unconditionally accept their verdict and the sanction imposed. I won’t challenge or criticise that in any way. But I repeat to you, I am not the person who leaked that video.”
Number: 100
Leinster’s latest centurion is Birr native Peter Dooley who capped that milestone during Leinster’s victory over Benetton at the weekend.
Helping Hand
There was a lovely story that resurfaced lately about Ireland's most recent debutant, Michael Lowry, and it refers to an incident from a few years ago. Mike Scott, wearing an Ulster jersey, was out in his wheelchair and attempting to climb a hill near Stranmillis College. He was struggling when as he recounts "a bloke came over in an Ulster training kit and politely asked if I wanted a push up the rest of the hill.
“He explained that he’d been in his car at the pedestrian crossing, had seen me in my Ulster jersey crossing and began to have difficulties so he had decided to park up and check if I wanted help.” They exchanged first names, spoke for a few minutes but what struck Scott was Lowry’s “genuine keenness to help and also his modesty.”
Scott did take the then Ulster academy player’s offer to help him up the steepest part of the hill. On the occasion of Lowry’s first cap, Scott felt it appropriate to recount the story.
Quote
"The red card doesn't help, the referee can only adjudge what the laws of the game are. It was probably a harsh red but a definite yellow. You can blame the referee however much you want but he didn't make half as many mistakes as we did." Worcester Warriors director of rugby Steve Diamond after wing Duhan van der Merwe was sent off in the defeat to London Irish.
Moore the Student
Those who have watched and followed the career of Stewart Moore won't have been surprised by the quality of his contribution in Ulster's 48-12 victory over Cardiff, just perhaps that it was in the unfamiliar position of fullback. The 22-year-old from Ballymoney is an accomplished centre with the ability to play in either the 12 or 13 jerseys with equal facility.
However with Michael Lowry remaining in Ireland camp following his two-try debut against Italy, Will Addison and Jacob Stockdale rehabilitating long term injuries, and with Ethan McIlroy and Rob Lyttle not available for the game against Cardiff, Ulster head coach Dan McFarland handed Moore the fullback role.
His performance can be gauged from the fact that he won the man of the match award. He’s a superb runner but it was his vision, lines of running and distribution skills that caught the eye. It’s that attention to detail that has seen him evolve as a player after breaking through last season. He carries a notebook in which he logs information from previews, reviews and team meetings.
He also scrutinises other players. “Robbie Henshaw was obviously playing on the Lions, and he had a really good season with Ireland, so I was watching him. I’ve been watching David Havili a lot with the All Blacks (too); he’s played at 10 for Crusaders and at 15 and now he’s in the 12 jersey.
“Robbie, it’s quite similar (to me) as he can play 12 and 13 and he has played 15 in the past, so it’s learning from the likes of that.” Moore is obviously a good student.
