It's been a strange old week for international rugby this week with resignations, bans, shortlists and even a sexist outburst. Where to start?
Andy Robinson
4 days have now passed since Andy Robinson announced his resignation from the top job in Scottish rugby. Reaction has been plentiful and varied, but there seems to be a general consensus that he has been a good thing for Scottish rugby, imposing an ethic and style even if the ultimate ambition of winning more games than they lose never quite happened. I think he had his moments, and he is no doubt a good coach, but he's definitely no martyr.
Andrew Hore
It was a cheap, unprovoked and reckless 'assault' on Bradley Davies in the opening minutes of New Zealand's game against Wales on Saturday that has seen Andrew Hore receive a 5 week ban from the IRB. The sentence was reduced from 8 weeks due to admission of guilt and having no previous. Since the weekend, Hore has come out and admitted his wrong and apologised for his actions.
Owen Farrell
The second choice English fly-half has somehow made it on to the 4 man shortlist for the IRB Player of the Year award, alongside more worthy contenders Richie McCaw, Dan Carter and the rejuvenated Frederic Michalak. The IRB panel, consisting of one member of each of the leading rugby nations (Will Greenwood being the English representative) have a lot to explain with Farrell's inclusion. After a solid, if unspectacular 6 Nations, he failed to figure in England's tour of South Africa and hasn't done much since. He's not even the best number 10 at his club Saracens. I find it staggering that the likes of Kieran Read and Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe in particular haven't been included. Stunned.
David Campese
The Australian try scoring record holder was at it again this week, this time dismissing a female journalist for being, well... female. He questioned why a 'girl' was reporting on rugby, a comment that has been slammed by many, not least injured Australian captain David Pocock who retorted on Twitter "Really sad to see journos attacked based on their gender. Or a grown woman referred to as a 'girl'". Campese, no stranger to a bit of controversy, best keep his trap shut if you ask me.
thanks for this I was not aware of any of this. The Hore thing is it a clenched fist and deliberate or is it a stupid swing of the arm catching him in the right place.
ReplyDeleteRobinson for me was surprisingly direct in is approach but a win record such as that is bound to end up badly.
far ell I'll take your word on it nothing surprises me when it comes to suits and decisions.
Yer
FiL