Springboks director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has questioned the tackle height of Owen Farrell following this week’s game against the British & Irish Lions.
The World Cup-winning coach took to Twitter to hit back at Lions head coach Warren Gatland after the Kiwi questioned a tackle made by Faf De Klerk on Wednesday night.
Of the challenge made by De Klerk, Gatland said: “It looked reckless to me. No arms and he's hit the arm first and then the shoulder, but there's definitely head-on-head contact.”
In response Erasmus posted different pieces of footage showing Farrell tackling Jasper Wiese and Faf De Klerk, adding: "While you [are] at it please get clarity on this also!! Penalty or play on? We have to [be] 100% sure and aligned! Can't agree more.”
Both coaches have been throwing verbal punches at each other since Wednesday night’s match with Gatland questioning the role of Erasmus as a water boy which enabled him to direct his players on-field.
"He was the water boy running on the pitch - if you're the water boy running on to the pitch you've got make sure you're carrying water,” said Gatland.
"I didn't understand what his role was - you don't run onto the pitch giving messages as the water boy without carrying water. My advice to him is to make sure he's carrying water next time he does that.”
The Lions are due to play the Springboks in the opening Test match of the series next Saturday, 24 July.
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