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'Cheap and nasty' - The World Cup final complaint irking fans
While the general response to the Rugby World Cup final in Auckland has been overwhelmingly positive, there’s one element of the event that has exorcised even seasoned journalists.
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England’s Test-record 30-match winning run came to an abrupt end after the Red Roses were beaten 34-31 by New Zealand in the final at Eden Park on Saturday.
The tournament has been hailed as a triumph for the women’s game, with attendance records tumbling and an unprecedented amount of interest in the flagship event.
However, there was at least one snag for some viewers. Many don’t feel the current Women’s Rugby World Cup trophy is fit for purpose.
Veteran rugby journalist and broadcaster Sonja McLaughlan wrote: “Given growth of women’s game think it’s high time that trophy got an upgrade.”
https://twitter.com/Sonjamclaughlan/status/1591351795770863616
When pushed on her view, which was held by many, she described it as ‘cheap and nasty’. “It’s not about size although as bloke understand why that’s your first thought. Just looks cheap and nasty.”
https://twitter.com/Sonjamclaughlan/status/1591358469449609217
Old Sulians RFC wrote: “Either the World Cup trophy is small or the Black Ferns are all bigger than Martin Bayfield.”
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Either the World Cup trophy is small or the Black Ferns are all bigger than Martin Bayfield. #NZLvENG
— Old Sulians RFC (@Oldsuliansrfc) November 12, 2022
Another fan wrote: “That trophy is an insult. They’ve just won the Rugby World Cup and it’s that small.”
That trophy is an insult.
They’ve just won the Rugby World Cup and it’s that small ?!?! https://t.co/6CB118sX3w
— Meg (@meggaherne) November 12, 2022
“Anyone else think the women’s rugby World Cup trophy could be a lot better? Like that doesn’t look like a WC trophy,” opined another.
Anyone else think the women’s rugby World Cup trophy could be a lot better? Like that doesn’t look like a WC trophy ?
— ryanator109 ?? (@ryanator109) November 12, 2022
“I’m sorry but what a piss poor trophy that is for the women’s rugby World Cup,” wrote one irate fan, who was clearly unimpressed with the cup.
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I’m sorry but what a piss poor trophy that is for the women’s rugby World Cup
— Jessica Weedon (@jessicaweeds) November 12, 2022
“Anyone else think they seriously need to upgrade that women’s rugby World Cup trophy? It’s a world cup! not a coffee cup,” penned another fan.
Anyone else think they seriously need to upgrade that women's rugby World Cup trophy? It's a world cup! not a coffee cup ????? #RugbyWorldCupFinal
— Darren Bland (@Blandona) November 12, 2022
Given the near-unanimous objections online, it may be in line for changing ahead of the 2025 Rugby World Cup.
additional reporting PA
Comments on RugbyPass
This article is missing some detail, like some actual context or info about what led to him abusing the ref.
1 Go to comments*They used to say that football is a gentleman sport watched by hooligans and rugby is a hooligan sport watched by gentlemen. How times have changed.*
3 Go to commentsexcept ot wasnt late wasnt late at all so dont know why you all saying its late he commits early and its your fault fir not paying attention
29 Go to commentsNot sure the Bulls need another average utility back in their ranks. Chamberlain has been ok for the Sharks but is by no means an X-Factor player. Bulls bought several utility backs which they barely use. A typical example would be Henry Immelman who plays mostly Fullback. The Bulls however have rarely played him this year and he has played wing or centre. Bulls want to build depth but seems like they have too many surplus players
1 Go to commentsABs lost against a side playing without a hooker - The guy playing, had one shoulder. Line outs were a gimme for the ABs, and the last 8 minutes 14 played 14 against a team that had been smashed 3 weeks in a row… Yet with all that possession, with all that territory, with all the advantages they actually had, especially in the last 8 minutes, they couldn’t buy a point. Those last 8 minutes determined if they outplayed the Boks or not. History will show that the Boks completely outplayed the ABs, especially in those last 8 minutes, the business end of any rugby match
226 Go to commentsWould’ve, could’ve, should’ve, didn’t.
226 Go to commentsKok will become a fan favourite
1 Go to commentsI am really looking forward to Leigh Halfpenny playing his first Super rugby game for the Crusaders Playing a long side his former Welsh and Scarlets team mate Johnny McNicoll.Johnny has been playing great, back in a Crusaders jersey.The attack has strengthened big time. Also looking forward to David Havili at 10. David is a class act, it also allows Dallas McLeod to remain at 12. A good thing.
1 Go to commentsIf he had stopped insisting on playing in the backrow, instead of wing, where everyone told him he should, he would have been a Bok years ago….
11 Go to comments‘Salads don’t win scrums’ 😂 I love that.
19 Go to commentsCan’t wait for the article that talks about misogyny in Ireland. Somehow.
18 Go to commentsI would like to see a rule change, when the attacking team is held up over the try line, by allowing the defensive team to restart a goal line drop out releases the pressure for the defensive team, but what if the attacking team had to restart a tap 5m out from the defensive team it gives the attacking team to apply more pressure, there are endless options for the attacking side and it will keep the fans in suspence.
2 Go to commentsLess modern South African males predictably triggered.
18 Go to commentsMy heart is with Quins, but the head is convinced Toulouse have too much. Ntamack is back, his timing and wisdom has been missed.
1 Go to commentsWow, what a starting line up for the Sharks) Tasty up front,kremer vs Tshituka or venter …fiery ,,Lavannini ,,will he knobble etzebeth? Biggest game for belleau?
1 Go to commentsIt was rubbish to watch, Blues weren’t even present. Did what they had to do, nothing more. Should be better next week against canes.
1 Go to commentsI’ve just noticed that this match has an all-French refereeing team. Surely a game like this ought to have a neutral ref? Although looking at the BBC preview of the Saints game, Raynal is also down as reffing that - so there may be some confusion about who is reffing what.
1 Go to commentsIf Havili can play anywhere in the back line, why not first 5. #10.
11 Go to commentsThe dressing room had already left for their summer break before they ran out in Dublin that year, and that’s on the coach. Franco Smith has undoubtedly made progress, particularly their maul, developing squad players and increasing squad depth. And against a very tight budget too. That said they were too lightweight last year and got found out against both Toulon and Munster in consecutive games. Better this season so far but they’ve developed something of a slow start habit occasionally, most notably losing at home to Northampton who played them at their own game. Play offs will ultimately show whether there has been tangible progress on last year, or not…!
2 Go to commentsAustralian Rugby has been a disaster, by not incorporating learning from previous successful campaigns. QLD Reds 2011 - Waratahs 2014. Players, coaches and administrators appoint there representatives for scheduled meetings, organisation’s agreement’s assessments and correspondence. This why a unified Rugby Union under one entity works. Every Rugby nation has taken that path. Was most difficult in the Northern hemisphere with over 100 years of club rugby before the game become professional. Took a lot of humility for those unions to eventually work together.
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