United Kingdom rugby critics Stephen Jones and Stuart Barnes have named Rassie Erasmus as one of the world’s top 10 rugby coaches.
Writing for The Times, Jones and Barnes compiled their respective lists of the 10 greatest coaches in rugby history, Erasmus made the cut on both occassions.
Barnes rated Erasmus as the fourth-best ever, writing: ‘In two years Erasmus turned the Springboks from a team that had lost their past four games against New Zealand by an average of 32 points into a side capable of beating their great rivals and winning the World Cup with a stunning, if simple, display of self-belief against England. The miracle worker.’
Jones placed the World Cup-winning Springbok coach at No 10 on his all-time coaches list, saying: ‘The South African head coach produced a Springbok team in full revival mode, he coached intelligently in bringing his team to the boil at the right time and showed a real sensitivity in dealing with the transformation issue. A brilliant achievement all round.’
Jones also listed Sir Clive Woodward and Warren Gatland as the joint- greatest coaching duo the game has ever seen.
The Times‘ 10 greatest rugby coaches:
Stuart Barnes
1. Carwyn James (Llanelli, Lions)
2. Steve Hansen (All Blacks)
3. Clive Woodward (England, Lions)
4. Rassie Erasmus (Springboks)
5. Warren Gatland (Wales, Lions)
6. Jack Rowell (England)
7. Ian McGeechan (Scotland, Lions)
8. Joe Schmidt (Ireland, Leinster)
9. Mark McCall (Saracens, England)
10. Eddie Jones (Brumbies, Australia, Japan, England)
Stephen Jones
1. Clive Woodward (England, Lions)
1. Warren Gatland (Wales, Lions)
3. Ian McGeechan (Scotland, Lions)
4. Mark McCall (Saracens, England)
5. Steve Hansen (All Blacks)
6. Bob Dwyer (Wallabies)
7. Jack Rowell (England)
8. Fred Allen (All Blacks)
9. Carwyn James (Llanelli, Lions)
10. Rassie Erasmus (Springboks)
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Hollywoodbets
