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'Absolutely crazy': Baffling decision for Springboks-Ireland clash already causing headaches
The opening weekend of the Autumn internationals will see Ireland host South Africa for the first time in five years but a contentious pre-match decision has already caused a firestorm.
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Chief rugby correspondent at the Irish Independent, Ruaidhri O’Connor, has reported that the home side will wear their navy blue ‘alternate’ kit against the Springboks, which will cause a kit clash against the Springboks dark green.
The IRFU has confirmed that Ireland will be wearing their navy blue jersey against South Africa, who'll be wearing their dark green kits.
Once again, rugby not doing itself any favours with this stuff pic.twitter.com/dlzw5OhF8K
— Rúaidhrí O'Connor (@RuaidhriOC) November 1, 2022
The last time the two sides played in 2017 a similar situation played out with Ireland donning a greyish dark tone alternate jersey which was similar to the Springboks dark green kit.
The baffling decision has not gone down well with any fans who are sick of kit clashes in rugby.
Ireland’s alternate kit arguably presents a worse clash than the original emerald green, which at least is a light shade compared to the Springboks darker shade.
Irish fans were deeply unhappy with the decision, questioning why the Springboks don’t wear a white alternate or why Ireland does not have a white alternate.
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One fan wrote, “It was a disaster five years ago and it will be a disaster again” while another claimed the game was already ‘ruined’.
What is wrong with a white alternate kit? Absolutely crazy stuff.
— James (@jamesmm33) November 1, 2022
It was a disaster 5 years ago and it will be a disaster again. World rugby talking about no red/green clashes for the colour blind. Don't need to be color blind to have trouble this weekend.
— andrewjtracey (@andrewjtracey) November 1, 2022
Dust it off. pic.twitter.com/ul4n7JRNjx
— Paddy O'Brien (@Paddy__Paddy) November 1, 2022
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This is a wind up – the Irish navy blue & green jersey is actually closer to the Bok jersey than the trad emerald green. Very funny ha ha
— Dominic Ward (@DominicWard14) November 1, 2022
Madness
— Jonathan Drennan (@JWDrennan) November 1, 2022
Is there anything more to this than a cynical attempt to sell merchandise? Saturday’s jersey is more likely add to, rather than eliminate, confusion. The original green would be far more distinctive. Have @IrishRugby explained decision?
— John O'Donnell (@JlodJohn) November 1, 2022
Congralutions IRFU, you've ruined the game for the fans
— Ryan Berelowitz (@RyanBerelowitz) November 1, 2022
The kit clash will likely go down as another braindead decision by rugby’s administrators if the teams are visually hard to separate on screen.
It remains to be seen whether Ireland can change back to the emerald green in time for the game for the sake of everyone watching.
Comments on RugbyPass
It was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
2 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
2 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to commentsWhere has our good friend Pecos gone!? Similar place to the Crusaders D, the abyss.
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