Rassie Erasmus hits back at All Blacks boss Ian Foster

SA Rugby’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has taken issue with Ian Foster on what type of rugby game is a better watch, after the All Blacks coach was critical of some elements of the epic Ireland win over the Springboks.

WATCH: All Blacks boss slams Springboks and Ireland’s style of play

FOSTER LEVELS THINLY-VEILED CRITICISM AT SA & IRELAND

Speaking after the All Blacks scored 14 tries to demolish Italy and earn a crucial bonus-point victory, Foster suggested that rugby fanatics would much rather watch an open game with plenty of tries, than a high-intensity, gritty match between two of international rugby’s best teams, as was the case in the two-try Pool B game between Ireland and the Springboks.

“If you look at the South Africa-Ireland game, it was a different game of rugby,” Foster said.

“The ball was in play for 27 minutes throughout the whole game. It was a very stop-start game, very physical, very combative.

“You saw a different spectacle tonight and at some point the world has got to decide which game it would rather watch.”

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SPRINGBOKS BOSS RASSIE ERASMUS HITS BACK WITH RECEIPTS

A video Foster’s bizarre post-match statement went viral on social media, presenting Rassie Erasmus with a perfect opportunity to respond via his official X (formerly Twitter) account.

“Ian always a straight shooter and say it as it is! Have respect for him since he coached the Chiefs,” Erasmus posted.

“But I think 2 min more ball in play and a epic battle between Ireland and the Boks is the game I would rather watch! (while saying that, your boys were crisp and clinical).”

Never one to pick a fight without the necessary weaponry, Rassie Erasmus added receipts to back up his argument.

He added two graphics in his post, one highlighting the one-sided nature of New Zealand’s victory over Italy, compared to the the other one which illustrated just how closely-fought the battle between the Boks and Ireland were.

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