VIDEO: No use saying it was unfair says Wiese
WATCH: Jasper Wiese says there is no use questioning the six-match ban he received in May following a red card that kept him sidelined for three and a half months.
The Springbok returns to the pitch this weekend when the Springboks face the All Blacks in their third-round encounter in the Rugby Championship.
Karl Dickson sent the 28-year-old off with 13 minutes remaining of Leicester Tigers’ 40-22 victory over Exeter Chiefs at Welford Road in the final game of the regular season.
The 27-cap Springbok had picked up opposite man Ross Vincent at a ruck and dropped him on his head in his final appearance for the Tigers.
The ban was announced on the same day that Wiese was named in the Premiership team of the season for the third consecutive season.
“It was a bit frustrating but I was fortunate enough to stay in the environment with the guys so it was six games which was three and a half months.
“Been a long time,” Wiese told reporters during a Springbok media briefing on Tuesday.
“I’m just happy to be back and up for selection.
“To be given the opportunity, I know the guys around me do their jobs and I just want to do mine the best that I can.
“If you are out for so long, it is frustrating but it doesn’t help to say it should’ve been this way or that way.
“It doesn’t help to look back and say it was unfair,” the No. 8 commented.
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Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus gave half a smile as Wiese talked about the ban and how he had to deal with it.
“It’s good to have a player of Jasper’s calibre back and we know he’ll bring a lot of energy on attack and defence after biding his time to return to the field.
“We are looking forward to seeing his physicality combined with the rest of the back row,” Erasmus said.
Erasmus tried to explain just how tough it is for a player to sit out so many matches but remain focused on the training field.
“It was three and a half months without a salary, match fees, winning fees but every day you have to keep on training and keep your mouth shut, scrum on the other side, maul on the other side.
“You can’t go on holiday, you have tackle school.
“I understand what World Rugby is doing, the punishment is harsh.
“He trained extremely hard to make level sense and not to lift a player’s legs when he tackles.
“But it was one of the harshest punishments I have seen,” Erasmus commented.
“This is where Jaco Peyper helps a lot. He not only explains how not to make a mistake, but he explains why you shouldn’t make that mistake.
“He shows us the end result – the guy in hospital with a neck brace, who can’t walk anymore.
“He brings it from that angle. We all make mistakes.
“But cynical play with intent does not often happen in the Springbok team.”
