The largely-respected South African rugby magazine, cleverly titled SA Rugby, have, in their next edition, a profile of one Rassie Erasmus. Munster's Director of Rugby has presided over a stunning season on the field for Munster, while also acting with great dignity in guiding the squad through the appalling loss of Anthony Foley.
Such has been Erasmus' success at Munster, he was heavily linked with an early move back to his homeland to take up the role as the head coach of the Springboks, before the SARU decided against sacking the beleaguered incumbent, Allister Coetzee. (Erasmus had been favourite to take the job ahead of Coetzee, but for politicking to intervene. A background on that can be found here).
As Erasmus soars in European rugby, SA Rugby have decided to profile his success, and decided to couch in a grand, narrative arc: that of the shunned outsider taking on his doubters and proving them wrong. The headline is pretty strong:
IN OUR NEW ISSUE: After getting a hostile and suspicious reception, Rassie Erasmus has steered @Munsterrugby back on the
path of success. pic.twitter.com/EUk2bkByFw— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) February 20, 2017
Erasmus overcoming a "hostile and suspicious reception" is a great story, but for one teensy, tiny caveat: it's not true. Munster took exception to the grand, narrative thrust of the piece, and tweeted their response:
News to us and Rassie himself on the reception front.
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) February 20, 2017
Munster fans were quick to back up their side:
Absolutely not. Wrote at the time about what a signing this was. Vast majority were impressed, the rest just didn't know who he was https://t.co/HB4TBunI7L
— Three Red Kings (@threeredkings) February 20, 2017
do ye not remember everyone booing him for the first few months? 🤔 no, me neither!
— Barry Sheehan (@BarrySheehan) February 20, 2017
what rubbish guys Rassie was from day one treated with respect by vast majority of Munsterheads
— Rugbycology (@rugbycology) February 20, 2017
Hmmmm. As I recall Rassie was made very welcome when he arrived at @Munsterrugby @SARugbymag Here we go... #fakenews
— Deirdre 🇯🇲🇮🇪 (@DeirdreOCall) February 20, 2017
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