'I'd install Rassie as my right-hand man'
SPOTLIGHT: England prop Joe Marler had plenty of praise for South Africa’s Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus in a recent interview.
Talking to the Daily Mail, Marler says that if he was elected World Rugby chairman he would not hesitate to bring in Erasmus.
Marler said he would also have Argentina legend Agustin Pichot helping him run the show.
In 2020, Pichot resigned from the World Rugby Council following his narrow defeat to Bill Beaumont for the chairmanship of World Rugby.
“So it’s 2023 and I am the head of World Rugby?” said Marler. “This is amazing. The first thing I’d do is install Rassie Erasmus as my right-hand man and the second thing I’d do is install Agustin Pichot as my left-hand man.
“My contract finishes in 2023, at the same time as president Bill Beaumont’s, so it’s perfect timing. I’ll only do it if Rassie and Gus say ‘yes’. We’re going to be the Tripod of Terror!”
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#SPOTLIGHT: ‘Maybe doing this might be good for my rugby’ #SouthAfrica #Springboks https://t.co/fmyMcN68A9
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) December 26, 2021
Although he has never met Erasmus, Marler said he loves the man’s authenticity.
“Rassie’s gold. He’s marmite but he’s got people talking about rugby. I love him. I f***ing love him.
“I think Eddie Jones should start running the water on like Rassie does, although by the time he reaches the middle of the pitch the ref would already be telling him to get off!
“Rassie seems very true to himself. I’ve never met the bloke but I got his staff to pass on a bottle of red to him after we played South Africa in the autumn [November series]. He is who he is. He does what he wants. I love anyone who is authentic and stays true to who they are. You don’t have to agree with them.
“I love Pichot’s swag. The suit and white trainers. Such a handsome man. I agreed with him that the bigger nations, with all the power, have been greedy and kept rugby as a bit of an elite club.
“I love Bill, he’s a great bloke who has done many good things, but he’s never played a game of rugby in the professional era. You need a fresh, young voice to shake up the establishment.”
#VIDEOS: Rassie Erasmus is getting plenty of support. https://t.co/XmuN4H4gJs
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) December 24, 2021
