Rassie Erasmus believes Saturday’s clash between England and France at Twickenham was “one of the more exciting games” the Six Nations has produced in recent times.
Elliot Daly’s last-minute try in London helped England clinch a thrilling 26-25 win, ending the team’s run of seven straight defeats by Tier 1 nations as well as easing the pressure on head coach Steve Borthwick.
In a social media post on Sunday, Springbok supremo Erasmus said the game cannot be judged on statistics alone.
Eng v France had 83 kicks in play, 15 scrums and only 36min BIP yet it was one of the more exciting games the 6 nations had in a while. I dont think the shape of the game can be judged always on stats! If you did not watch the game most will say those numbers(stats) won’t create…
— Johan Erasmus (@RassieRugby) February 9, 2025
Nigel Owens responded in agreement, with the highly-respected former referee suggesting that constant law changes and the sport’s fixation with “letting the game flow” doesn’t correlate to match quality.
I’ve always said that high BIP time does not make a rugby game better as you have rightly pointed out. To much tinkering with the laws and an obsession to let the game flow at all costs will take away from the game not enhance it. The proof is in the pudding
— Nigel Owens MBE (@Nigelrefowens) February 9, 2025
Posting a clip of the two packs pre-scrum engagement, Erasmus commented on the appreciation of the set piece from those up north.
So lekka to listen to the commentator before this scrum! Looks like we all slowly aligning🏉 Lekka 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/geh1Y7PuTK
— Johan Erasmus (@RassieRugby) February 9, 2025
The two-time World Cup winner also applauded France’s creativity at the lineout.
Very Sharp by 🇫🇷 Know its a rule now that the ball dont have to be straight if the opposition dont contest , but almost sure your team have to jump and support for that law to apply, otherwise you can throw it straight to 9 I guess! Anyways it was very creative 🤝 pic.twitter.com/pGpXDR6X4T
— Johan Erasmus (@RassieRugby) February 9, 2025
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
