Rassie Erasmus Backs Joe Schmidt Despite Australia's Rough Start

South Africa's coach, Rassie Erasmus, has expressed confidence in Joe Schmidt's ability to lead Australia in the upcoming test series against the British and Irish Lions. Despite Schmidt's mixed start, Erasmus believes the Wallabies will be competitive. Upcoming Rugby Championship tests against New Zealand pose a bigger challenge for South Africa.

Rassie Erasmus, the head coach of South Africa's rugby team, has expressed his confidence in Joe Schmidt, despite the Australian coach's rocky start. Erasmus' team secured a decisive 30-12 victory over Australia in Perth, marking Schmidt's second defeat in five games since taking the helm from Eddie Jones.

Despite Australia's lackluster record raising concerns about their readiness for next year's high-profile test series against the British and Irish Lions, Erasmus remains optimistic. 'A week in rugby is long,' he stated, pointing to New Zealand's recent turnaround against Argentina as an example. He emphasized the need for getting the right people and players on board.

Looking ahead, Erasmus anticipates tougher challenges from their upcoming Rugby Championship tests against New Zealand. He credits the All Blacks' resilience, citing their strong comeback against Argentina. 'We play them at altitude and then in Cape Town,' Erasmus noted, highlighting the rigorous two-week period ahead for his team.