Erasmus cleverly shifted the narrative when he dismissed allegations that his team was exploiting scrum engagements, according to Reason. This strategic move not only distracted from the issue but also turned public opinion against the All Blacks, labeling them as complainers post the criticisms aired by their coach, Dave Rennie.
"How Dave Rennie must now regret publicly airing the subject of South Africa's scrum. It gave Erasmus the chance to play the martyr," Reason noted.
"It gave him the chance to hand the All Blacks to the slavering South African media as a bunch of whingers. It gave him the chance to take ownership of the series."
During the pivotal third Test, the referee, Nika Amashukeli, seemingly overlooked several scrummaging infringements by South African prop Ox Nché, while All Black Codie Taylor was penalized for similar infractions. This perceived inconsistency in refereeing decisions further fueled the controversy surrounding the matches.
The edge the Springboks had may also be attributed to their meticulous preparation with former referee Jaco Peyper, who helped them understand and potentially exploit referees' tendencies. This strategic foresight appears to have given South Africa a significant advantage over New Zealand, who seem to have lost favor with the officials.
Reason suggests that the All Blacks' influence with referees has diminished. "There was a time when the All Blacks were the smartest guys in the room. The wheel has now turned. South Africa are now the smartest guys in the room," he remarked, signaling a shift in rugby's power dynamics.
Unless New Zealand can improve both their rapport with referees and their overall gameplay, they might find themselves struggling in future contests, including the upcoming World Cup, Reason concluded.
This series not only highlighted the tactical genius of Rassie Erasmus but also underscored the changing landscape of international rugby, where mental warfare and strategic narratives play as significant a role as the action on the field.
