Springbok-hater Matt Williams must be on the point of cardiac arrest after Six Nations teams France, England and Italy named teams with a 6-2 bench split for this weekend’s matches.
Williams, an Australian who has made his home in the northern hemisphere, is a vehement opponent of the Rassie Erasmus invention of employing close to a second pack of forwards off the bench as a tactical ploy.
Williams, who coached New South Wales in Super Rugby before taking up the head coach position of Scotland (2002-2005), says the tactic that the Springbok coach pioneered is not “morally correct”.
When Erasmus picked seven forwards on the bench for the 2023 World Cup match against Ireland, Williams blew his top.
“When seven Springbok forwards troop onto the field simultaneously, you have to ask, ‘Is this what the substitution laws were designed for? I think not’.”
When the Boks lost the match 13-8, a jubilant Williams tweeted, “7-1 split… Rugby Karma!”
Williams feels that substitutions should be made for injured or tired players, and that Erasmus has twisted the law to suit his staggering forward depth.
Williams, who gives his views in the Irish media, has mostly been a lone voice in his criticism of the Boks’ manhandling of the opposition in the second half of games.
Most rugby coaches held their tongues because they appreciated Erasmus’ left-field thinking and were envious.
It was a question of time before the tactics were used outside of the Springboks.
Irish giants Leinster have been using it for some time, and now it appears to have become the norm at international level.
The Six Nations coaches are basically saying, “If you can’t beat the Boks, join them,” and for Williams, it could be a question of time before the men in white coats take him away.
Six Nations Fixtures
Friday – 10.15pm: France v Wales
Saturday – 4.15pm: Scotland v Italy. 6.45pm: Ireland v England