Erasmus delay dreadful says RFU president Jeff

Colin Boag talks to RFU president Jeff Blackett about the state of the game

RFU president Jeff Blackett says he shares the fans’ frustration over the length of time World Rugby are taking to discipine Springbok boss Rassie Erasmus for his outbursts during the Lions series.

Blackett, who for ten ten years was the RFU’s disciplinary officer, says: “What fans don’t like is when the (disciplinary) process takes too long – as an example, the process around the Rassie Erasmus issue has been dreadful.

“Had I been in a position of authority, he would have been up before a panel on the following Tuesday, and in my view the protestations about legal complexities were nonsense.”

Blackett, who was also a judicial officer at three Rugby World Cups, acknowledges that inconsistencies in disciplinary rulings are also one of the game’s biggest bugbears.

He says: “The system I introduced when I was disciplinary officer is very similar to a court of law: the person who punches someone, and it’s their first offence, gets a lesser sanction than the player where it’s their fourth or fifth offence. Sometimes a perceived inconsistency isn’t actually inconsistent at all – the process is the same, but the answer is different depending on the circumstances.

“There has always been a difference in approach between the southern and northern hemispheres – you have to remember these things can’t be entirely objective, because people subjectively see the same event in different ways.

“At the World Cups I was involved in we got together during the event and discussed things. The result was that there was consistency during the tournament. However, once we all went back home, the inconsistencies came back – there are different pressures in different countries.”

Thirty years ago the president was the final arbiter on all RFU decisions, and effectively ran things, but Blackett now sits on the board as an observer, and his role is to represent the game at the highest level. “I’m here to tell people that the RFU is back in business after the pandemic, and that we value grassroots rugby and our volunteers.

“Our biggest challenge is going to be participation. Clearly there’s an issue bringing people back into the game when they haven’t played for two years – some clubs have been able to field a first team but are struggling with their seconds and thirds, finding enough referees can also be difficult.

“However, I’m positive that things will recover. I visit clubs every Saturday and Sunday, and sometimes midweek and there’s great positivity among the people who run them – despite all of the problems we’ve had, I don’t believe we’ve lost a single club, which is great news.”

One of the biggest developments has been the dramatic growth in the women’s game, with England’s Autumn Internationals being shown live on BBC2 the latest boost.

“It’s not that long ago that there was a feeling around that women shouldn’t play rugby, but they’ve demonstrated why they should, and the game at the top level is incredible. Lower down it’s great to see young women showing that rugby is a sport for all. We’ve debated where we should stage the internationals – at Twickenham, or fill smaller stadia around the country. The policy for now is to take the game to smaller grounds with, 10,000, maybe 15,000 capacity, but my aim is to get the women’s internationals played as a self-standing event, at Twickenham, with a full stadium.”

Blackett has also served as the chair of the Professional Game Board (PGB), and the relationship between the RFU and the Premiership has been at the heart of the professional game in England.

He says: “I think the relationship between the RFU and PRL is really good now. The PGB is at the centre of the way things run, and when we set it up it had to have an RFU chair, but we now alternate between the RFU and PRL. It used to be a political battleground but it’s now much more inclusive and cooperative. I know there are those who don’t like the influence of the club owners, but without them we wouldn’t be in the strong position we are in today.

“They have invested fortunes in the professional game, and it’s only natural that they want to have a say in the running of it. I can’t think of an owner who doesn’t want the England team to succeed. Of course we have arguments over issues like the global season, and length of season, but by and large it’s a really cooperative relationship.

‘The issue over promotion and relegation, and where we are today, with 13 clubs, 14 next year and then a fallow year and then a play-off, was decided virtually unanimously – it was a very collaborative process. The result was that we safeguard ownership, but there will be access, and that can only be positive.”

Currently the ownership of Saracens is in the process of changing, and one of the members of the incoming consortium is Marco Masotti, a South African, but New Yorkbased lawyer who offered to get involved in legal support for Erasmus after World Rugby launched disciplinary proceedings. He is also part of the consortium that owns the Durban-based Sharks. Does the RFU get involved in approving changes of ownership for Premiership clubs?

“Yes, it has to go to the RFU board, and it isn’t just a rubber stamp – it will be properly debated.”

After his critcism of World Rugby’s delay in pushing forward with the Erasmus hearing, does he still believe we need them?

“That’s a big question! Yes, we do need them overseeing the game, but it probably needs a governance review to see whether it’s in the best shape. There have been very positive changes over the years – it’s now one-third women on the board. With all of these bodies it’s difficult for individuals not to feel conflicted when making decisions, because you’re there representing your Union, but you should also be acting in the best interests of the wider game.

“It could be possibly improved by the introduction of independent representatives – the introduction of such independents at the RFU after the 2011 meltdown has improved things beyond measure. As for the possibility of a RWC every two years, my view is it wouldn’t be sensible. The global season is a huge issue, and the build up to the RWC is fantastic. You’re going to ask me about the World 12s, aren’t you? It simply won’t work within the global season, and is completely unnecessary. The game is fantastic, watch Harlequins and other Premiership games, hopefully watch England play, and let’s just write off the Lions tour as a blip of poor rugby.

“What we must always have in mind is player welfare – it’s easy for us administrators to decide something, but forget about the players. We’ve got to think about the clubs too: our international players play in Tests up here, then down there, and then there’s the Six Nations, and the clubs can rightly say they are paying their wages but never see them! Perhaps less is more is the way forward.”

Is Blackett optimistic for the future? “I’m very optimistic. We want to increase participation, and be more diverse and inclusive, and we’re doing a lot to achieve that. There are whole sectors of society yet to be fully introduced to rugby. I think most parents see the benefit of rugby’s core values – teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship.”

“A RWC every two years? My view is it wouldn’t be sensible”