Steve Hansen launches war of words with Rassie Erasmus

New Zealand and South Africa will meet at Ellis Park on Saturday in the first of four Tests during the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour, which will conclude with a fourth meeting in Baltimore, USA.

Hansen coached the All Blacks from 2012 to 2019, guiding them to Rugby World Cup glory in 2015 before stepping down following the 2019 tournament.

Ahead of Saturday's Test, current All Blacks boss Dave Rennie said he wants the matches to be played at a fast pace with minimal stoppages, appearing to suggest South Africa could look to slow the game down.

Erasmus has rejected that suggestion and used the media to set the record straight. He even brought referee Jaco Peyper into his press conference on Monday to address the issue.

Appearing on DSPN, Hansen was asked whether he agreed with Erasmus. The former All Blacks coach admitted he would not take everything the South Africa boss says at face value, pointing to his track record of using the media to his advantage.

“Look, I wouldn’t listen too much to anything Rassie says. He’s the master of sabotage. He’ll tell you one thing and do the complete opposite. He’ll have a style of game that he thinks will suit the Boks,” he said.

“We can all guess that they’re going to be physical; they are going to put the ball in the air. It’s a few little bits he puts around that we’ll have to deal with.

“He’s a master at sending you one way and then going the other. So, I personally wouldn’t be taking too much notice of what he says.

"I’ll just be concentrating on what I do know and how they’ll play, but more importantly, I’ll be concentrating on how I want us to play. And I’m sure that’s what Dave and his team will be doing.

“Rassie does that for all the fans. All of us fans jump into that bit.”

Hansen believes Erasmus knows exactly how to use the media to create the narrative he wants ahead of major Tests.

“When you’re talking to the media, there are certain messages you want to put across, and it’s all about doing something that’s going to be positive for your team, and he’s very good at that; he loves it,” the ex-All Blacks coach explained.

It is not the first time this week that Erasmus has used his media appearances to make his views known.

The Springboks boss also questioned World Rugby's decision to prevent coaches from holding individual meetings with referees, with both head coaches now required to be present.

That could make it more difficult for Erasmus to attempt some of the tactics he has previously used around the laws, including the controversial midfield mauls seen last year.

Hansen believes the latest comments from Erasmus are another example of the South Africa boss attempting to influence those around him.

“It’s not actually the media he’s playing; it’s everybody: the fans, the media and some opposition if they buy into everything he is saying.

“You have just given us an example of what he’s capable of doing. So he’s not the only one who does it; most of the coaches do it. He just does it really well.

“The media will write whatever they get told; the really good ones might challenge it, but most of them will just write what you tell them. So, what’s the message you want out there? Tell them that, and then it’ll be out there.”