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Ex-All Blacks prop calls on Alun Wyn Jones to 'grab his own balls' and support Joe Marler at disciplinary hearing

By Liam Heagney
(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Three ex-All Blacks have clashed over the genitals-grabbing incident that will see Joe Marler appear at a disciplinary hearing in Dublin on Thursday. 

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The England prop has been cited for grabbing the genitals of Wales skipper Alun Wyn Jones during last Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations match at Twickenham. 

Speaking on The Breakdown programme on Sky Sport NZ, John Kirwan and Jeff Wilson sparked a debate about the seriousness of the incident while Kane Hames, who played for the All Blacks as recently as 2017, suggested Jones really needs to stick up for Marler at the disciplinary hearing. 

“He needs to grab his own balls, pick them up and stick up for his mate here,” said Hames. “Because it’s his mate that he is talking about and there is a special relationship there, I definitely think there is. Alun can stop his mate from getting banned.”

Kirwan, the 1987 World Cup winner, agreed what Marler did was merely dressing room banter between pals. “When I first saw it I thought they have obviously roomed together with the Lions or something because they are mates,” he said. “It’s something that I would do to a really good mate of mine. No intent, like a tap on the arse or whatever.

“There’s no offence me. You tell me when you haven’t seen that in the changing room? I don’t think there was any offence intended. And if we say OK he gets four weeks to twelve weeks for the law… I just thought he was taking the mickey and I didn’t see any offence.”

Kirwan’s opinion, though, was at odds with what Wilson had to say. “In any other workplace, I’m sorry but what would happen? Keep your hands to yourself. It’s a game of footy, a game of rugby.”

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WATCH: The Rugby Pod discusses the Joe Marler-Alun Wyn Jones incident 

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Trevor 6 minutes ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 4 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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