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'Harden up' - NZ commentator ridicules Pumas players and coaches for 'crying'
A former New Zealand commentator has derided the Pumas players and coaches for crying in the aftermath of their historic win over the All Blacks over the weekend.
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Pumas players and burly head coach Mario Ledesma openly choked back tears at the final whistle at the Bankwest Stadium, in what was a momentous occasion for Argentinian rugby and indeed neutrals fans around the world. But not everyone thought the outpouring of emotion was appropriate, or rather, manly enough.
Keith Quinn, an institution in New Zealand sporting circles, came under heavy criticism himself for comments he made on social media in which he instructed the Pumas and others to ‘harden up’. The 74-year-old, who has commentated on rugby for decades, suggested modern men need to man up and cry less.
“What’s happening to bloke-ism? In the TV news the last few days Dustin Johnson, Lewis Hamilton and Puma rugby players and coach all crying their eyes out.
“Would the sight of All Blacks wearing pink boots have moved Pinetree Meads? I doubt it. Harden up – blokes of today!”
What’s happening to bloke- ism? In the TV news the last few days DustinJohnson, LewisHamilton & Puma rugby players & coach all crying their eyes out. Would the sight of AllBlacks wearing pink boots have moved Pinetree Meads? I doubt it. Harden up – blokes of today!
— Keith Quinn (@KeithQuinn88) November 16, 2020
Former All Blacks winger turned pundit John Kirwan, a long time champion of men’s mental health issues and a man who has suffered from depression, said of the comments: “My highlight from the weekend was the team and Mario Ledesma crying, made me cry. Beautiful.”
My highlight from the weekend was the team and Mario Ledesma crying, made me cry. Beautiful
— Sir John Kirwan (@JohnKirwan_14) November 16, 2020
Crowd Goes Wild anchor Andrew Mulligan didn’t pull his punches in response to the veteran, tweeting: ‘That’s some dumb shit tweeted right there, Keith.’
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That’s some dumb shit tweeted right there, Keith.
— Andrew Mulligan (@Andrew_Mulligan) November 16, 2020
There were literally hundreds more in that vein.
To his credit Quinn had lauded Los Pumas for their victory a couple of days earlier, writing: “So proud for Pumas rugby and specially Frankie Deges (who has been writing from Buenos Aries in English, for the ‘outside world’ always in hope of big things for his beloved blue and whites.) Tonight we salute you Frankie; we will have a helados and CocaLite for your rugby loyalty!”
So proud for Pumas rugby & specially Frankie Deges (who has been writing from Buenos Aries in English, for the ‘outside world’ always in hope of big things for his beloved blue & whites.) Tonight we salute you Frankie; we will have a helados & CocaLite for your rugby loyalty!
— Keith Quinn (@KeithQuinn88) November 14, 2020
His comments may have struck the wrong chord on this occasion, but maybe speak to a generational shift in perception about what is and isn’t manly or ‘blokish’ behaviour.
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
39 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
39 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
39 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
39 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
39 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
39 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
39 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
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