While Rassie Erasmus has announced he will be stepping down as head coach of South Africa after the World Cup, at the moment it's hard to understate his influence.
Because they were in such a state at the time he had to take over as head coach, despite initially being named as the Director of Rugby.
Alan Quinlan thinks he has done a brilliant job based off where they were when he came in.
Speaking on Thursday's OTB AM, the former Ireland international said he has really changed the culture around the team
"He's done a wonderful job, you got to remember three or four years ago when Ireland were on tour, there was so much negativity surrounding the team.
"We heard about that and we saw it when (Allister) Coetzee was the coach and there was a lot of division and unrest there," Quinlan stated.
Creating Unity
Irish rugby fans are well used to Erasmus from his time with Munster and Quinlan remembered asking a South African player what he was like as a coach before he came to the province.
"One of the first things I did when he got announced for Munster was I rang Wian du Preez. He played for Munster as well as the Free State Cheetahs under Erasmus.
"He told me that one of the first things he did was bring all the players and their families over to his house for food and drink.
"It might sound simple but it was kind of the case that he was trying to create a bit of unity between them," the former Munster forward said.
Quinlan thinks it is all about the mindset that he brings to a team that has the biggest impact on players.
"He is just a very positive person and you couldn't meet a nicer guy, that has really come out through this World Cup.
"I was at the Canada game and he was taking drop goals before the game. He just seems to have time for everyone and that does help relax a group of players," Quinlan said.
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
