ABs among tributes to Boks’ ‘fierce competitor’ Rugby
coach as I have ever seen. He is completely alternative in terms of his approach and the question is: Would NZR be ready for Robertson’s different style of management?
If you consider what All Blacks coaches have traditionally been like in the past, NZR goes with people who are reserved. Robertson came in at the Crusaders with his personality and has blown everything apart.
Whenever Robertson does his breakdancing routine there are some who say, ‘‘It’s so selfcentred’’, but it’s not. It exemplifies Robertson and it’s so nice to watch because he is being himself. He is not trying to fit the cookie cutter mould created for coaches. It expends so much energy to try to be someone The All Blacks have paid tribute to Springboks wing James Small who has died unexpectedly.
Small, who won the World Cup with South Africa in 1995 beating the All Blacks in a gripping final that went to extra time, was 50.
The South African Rugby Union said Small suffered a suspected heart attack late on Tuesday in Johannesburg.
‘‘We are saddened to learn that Springboks great and 1995 Rugby World Cup winner James Small has passed away. A fierce competitor on the field and great friend off it, James will be missed by the entire global rugby community,’’ the All Blacks tweeted.
Small played 47 tests for South Africa between 1992 and 1997, scoring 27 tries, and was a key part of the champion 1995 team.
The 15-12 victory over New Zealand in the final by South Africa’s integrated team was a symbolic moment for the country, coming shortly after the end of apartheid.
Small is not the first player from that Springbok team to have died – loose forward Ruben Kruger died from brain cancer in 2010 and scrumhalf Joost van der Westhuizen from motor neurone disease in 2017.
In addition, coach Kitch Christie also passed away in 1998.
The African National Congress joined the tributes to ‘‘patriot’’ Small saying: ‘‘The African National Congress (ANC) is shocked and saddened by the passing of former Springbok player, James Small . . .
‘‘[He] was a patriot who fought like a soldier in the field of play and was prepared to die with his boots on. He played with extraordinary passion and commitment.’’