A former All Blacks assistant has explained why he loves the uniqueness of Rassie Erasmus’ coaching and outlined a South African trait he wishes to see more in New Zealand.

John Plumtree had a short-lived stint as forwards coach under Ian Foster before getting axed by the head coach following the 2022 home series defeat to Ireland.

He had taken on the Test-level role after leading the Hurricanes, assisting them to a maiden Super Rugby title in 2016 before succeeding Chris Boyd at the helm in Wellington.

After getting ousted at the All Blacks, Plumtree returned to South Africa to rejoin the Sharks, the Durban club he had played and coached for. However, the 61-year-old stepped down as head coach at Kings Park last December and is now on the lookout for his next role.

“He is the only coach that can get away with drinking about two bottles of brandy…”

The lay-off has given him plenty of time to reflect on the world of rugby coaching and in an appearance on Coaching Culture with Ben Herring, he advised up-and-coming coaches to be themselves and not to become like someone else.

He held up Springboks boss Erasmus as the perfect example of someone who has remained completely unchanged despite the pressures of coaching.

Asked by Herring what advice he would give young coaches, Plumtree said: “If you’re a young coach, you need to absorb, be a bit of a sponge, develop your coaching, but never forget who you are and what you want out of coaching or, you know, don’t try and change too much of yourself to become like someone else.

“And that’s nothing new. I love Rassie Erasmus because he is totally himself. He is the only coach that can get away with drinking about two bottles of brandy, dancing to some Afrikaans music at probably one in the morning, posting it on Twitter and getting a good laugh out of it.

“I loved it when Razor Robertson was doing his breakdancing. As much as it frustrated me because the bugger was winning, kept winning, it was funny. And then when I saw him coach the All Blacks, he seemed to stiffen up and stop dancing so much.

“So, I love the uniqueness around what Rassie Erasmus brings to the coaching world. There might be some coaches out there that Rassie winds up a little bit and certainly they might not admire him because of how controversial he can be, but I love the fact that he’s just who he is and he doesn’t change. I love that.”

Plumtree added that he also admired the way Erasmus builds up the passion South Africa has for the Springboks and would love for a similar relationship to be driven more in New Zealand for the All Blacks.

“I love the way he drives his players to play for their country,” he continued. “It’s bloody good. It’s really good. It’s the difference right now; I know South Africa have got some really nice talent, and I know they have got some nice depth, but that is thanks to him giving those players opportunity.

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“But I love the fact that the country is bigger than all of those players and he tells them that all the time. There’s no uncertain terms around these players representing South Africa and you better bloody perform because it means a lot to all of the supporters and fans. Pretty much everyone loves rugby in this country.

“It’s something that I’d like to see driven more in New Zealand. The players should feel passion from their supporters, and it’s not the same as here (in South Africa).

“I’ve been in New Zealand, I’ve coached there, I know what the support is like. It’s nowhere near as crazy as what it is here for the Springboks. Rassie drives that.”