Rugby: Mains hits out at reports of rift

Cats' coach Laurie Mains has reacted angrily to reports in the South African media of an apparent rift between himself and captain Rassie Erasmus.

The media reports said the row centred around Erasmus's refusal to sign a petition supporting Mains' appointment as coach of the team for next year.

Mains scoffed at the suggestions that the Cats players had drawn up and signed such a petition.

"The report comes down to jealousy," Mains said.

"The Cape (Town) media has tried to discredit the Cats and its captain since the beginning of the Super 12 because the Cats had been so successful."

The reports said rugby sources in Johannesburg had stated that Mains and Erasmus had also been at odds over tactics this year.

Erasmus was relieved of the captaincy during the Cats' four-week tour of New Zealand and Australia, and did not play in the loss against the Reds in Brisbane last Saturday.

But Mains said the spirit and unity in the team had "never been better."

"This latest fabrication is below the belt and an attempt to damage the Cats' Super 12 campaign. The spirit and unity have never been better."

With a bye this weekend, Mains has given the second-placed Cats' squad the week off and Erasmus is expected to return to full fitness for their clash against the Bulls, next Saturday.

Cats spokesperson Annemarie Mains said a recurring buttock muscle injury had forced the backrower to sit out the match against the Reds, but Erasmus was expected to be back for the team's last league match of the season.

"Rassie has had trouble with that injury. It is the same injury he had last year during the Currie Cup, but we expect him to be fit for the Bulls match," she said.

Erasmus is not the only one who has been struggling with injury.

Mains said that tighthead Willie Meyer suffered a hamstring injury but that he too should be ready for the clash against the Bulls.

The Cats were way off their best and looked fatigued against the Reds in the last match of their tour.

The players have been given this week off and they are not expected to have a run until next Wednesday.

- INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS (SOUTH AFRICA)