'Surprising' - Rassie Erasmus delivers his verdict on referee ahead of All Blacks clash

Wednesday, 03 September 2025 at 09:08

byRugby Rucker

Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus has never been one to keep his distance from match officials—take that notorious 62-minute video during the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour, where he publicly tore into referee Nic Berry, accusing him of disrespect and bias toward Siya Kolisi versus Alun Wyn Jones.

Join RUCK’s Instagram broadcast channel and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.

The fallout was swift: a two-month suspension and a ban from match-day activities through to September 2022, along with a hefty fine for SA Rugby.

Fast-forward to this weekend: in the spotlight is English whistleblower Karl Dickson, a former Harlequins scrum-half turned international referee.

Though now respected, his past still shadows him—RFU pundits suggest he steer clear of Harlequins fixtures due to lingering perceptions of bias from his playing days.

Their latest clash came in Durban, where the Springboks fell 24-25 to Ireland. Erasmus, now working alongside ex-referee Jaco Peyper, refrained from his usual digs. Post-match, he instead offered measured praise:

“I thought the referee [Dickson] was good... he refereed the breakdown well. I think he refereed the scrums well.”

Acknowledging the defeat with class: “The best team won on the day.”

It seems that since bringing Peyper into his backroom—and perhaps tempered by his past disciplinary warnings—Erasmus has cooled his tone toward officials.

Who is Karl Dickson?

Dickson enjoyed a long playing career, making more than 100 appearances for Bedford Blues and 169 outings for Harlequins. During his time at The Stoop, the director of rugby described him as "among the best five scrum-halves in the country".

He was even called up by England during the 2012 Six Nations and the summer tour of South Africa that year. While he never won a cap, he did play in a midweek match against the South Africa Northern Barbarians – replacing his younger brother Lee, who himself won 18 England caps and played more than 250 games for Northampton Saints.

"Dad was the best" - Six rugby sons who failed to match their father’s achievements

In rugby, legacy is a powerful force—but not always a guarantee of success.

These six sons of rugby legends had the world at their feet but ultimately fell short of matching their fathers’ towering achievements.

Cameron Redpath (Son of Bryan Redpath)

Cameron Redpath, son of former Scotland captain Bryan Redpath, began his career with promise. He represented England at age-group levels before switching to Scotland, earning 14 caps and playing in the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

However, his career has been marred by a series of major surgeries, including two ACL reconstructions and multiple shoulder and neck operations. These setbacks have limited his playing time and hindered his ability to reach the heights of his father's illustrious career.

Despite his resilience and determination, Redpath's injuries have prevented him from becoming a mainstay in the Scotland team.

Louis Lynagh (Son of Michael Lynagh)

Louis Lynagh, son of Australian World Cup winner Michael Lynagh, has carved out his own path in rugby. He represented England at age-group levels before making his Six Nations debut for Italy, scoring a try against Scotland.

While he has shown promise, Lynagh has not yet achieved the same level of success as his father, who earned 72 caps and was a key figure in Australia's 1991 World Cup victory.

His international career is still in its early stages, and it remains to be seen if he can reach the heights of his father's legacy.

Adam Hastings (Son of Gavin Hastings)

Adam Hastings, son of Scottish rugby legend Gavin Hastings, has had a solid career, earning 27 caps for Scotland.

He has played for clubs like Bath, Glasgow Warriors, and Gloucester. However, his career has been hindered by a series of injuries, including multiple shoulder, ankle, and knee issues, which have limited his appearances and prevented him from consistently performing at the highest level.

While he has shown flashes of brilliance, Hastings has yet to establish himself as a key figure in the Scotland team.

Lucas Brooke (Son of Zinzan Brooke)

Lucas Brooke, son of All Blacks legend Zinzan Brooke, began his rugby journey with promise, joining the London Irish Academy at age 13 and representing Berkshire at county level. However, his career has been hampered by setbacks, including a year-long hiatus from the sport.

Despite his return to rugby, Brooke has not been able to replicate the success of his father, who earned 58 caps for New Zealand and starred in the 1987 and 1991 World Cup campaigns.

His path has been marked by inconsistency and missed opportunities, preventing him from reaching the heights of his father's legacy.

Dhyreille Lomu (Son of Jonah Lomu)

Dhyreille Lomu, son of the legendary All Black Jonah Lomu, showed early promise in rugby but has since decided to step back from the sport.

Growing up in the shadow of one of rugby’s greatest icons, Dhyreille faced enormous expectations, and while he impressed as a teenager, he has chosen to explore other passions. Alongside his brother Brayley, he has developed a love for tennis, with Brayley dreaming of becoming the world’s best.

Dhyreille reflects on his path with humility and perspective: In stepping away from rugby, he demonstrates that legacy doesn’t always mean following in the same footsteps—it can also mean finding your own path.

“Dad will always be the best, so I might give something else a go.”

Lewis Tierney (Son of Jason Robinson)

Lewis Tierney, son of former England and British & Irish Lions star Jason Robinson, had a promising start to his career. He played for Wigan Warriors and represented Scotland at the international level, but a series of injuries cut his career short, leading to an early retirement from rugby league.

While he showed potential, Tierney was unable to achieve the same level of success as his father, who was renowned for his speed and skill on the field. His early retirement marked the end of a career that never fully blossomed.

Eben Etzebeth’s 'freakish' gym records puts most rugby stars to shame

Pacific Nations Cup: Round 2 - Fiji begin title defense with comeback win over Tonga