1
'I think it's awful' - Social reacts to leaked images of Dragons rebrand
Welsh rugby circles has been reacting to leaked images of what appears to be a rebrand by Welsh URC outfit Dragons.
ADVERTISEMENT
Images of a new ‘Dragons RFC’ logo that was daubed on the wall at Rodney Parade have been doing the rounds, with many suggesting it looks remarkably similar to the old Newport RFC branding, at least in terms of colour, and the use of the fleur-de-lis symbol which strikes a simular visual note to the Prince of Wales’s feathers on Newport’s crest.
Gone is the dragon’s tail, as indeed is any explicit visual reference to an actual mythical beast or the colour red.
It is the second Dragons rebrand in just five years and – if legitimate – could be an attempt to bring the team closer to its local roots.
Pic from Rodney Parade , all looks legit . I’m told it was discussed at the buttress Q&A too. pic.twitter.com/LbPvcQCRTs
— Dai Williams #FBIW (@DaiNewpt) June 24, 2022
Twitter has been reacting, and is often the case with rebranding, it’s not been entirely positive. ‘
I think it’s awful, they should not use black & amber, and why RFC, are they a club now or a regional team? If you are going to rebrand at least rebrand with a strong identity of your own. I think Buttress wishes it was Newport Dragons again, we did warn them
— Rugby (MF) ??????????? (@RugbyMF1) June 25, 2022
“I think it’s awful, they should not use black & amber, and why RFC, are they a club now or a regional team? If you are going to rebrand at least rebrand with a strong identity of your own. I think Buttress wishes it was Newport Dragons again, we did warn them” wrote one account. “1-why are they using black and amber? 2- the dragons are a Gwent regional team so why use RFC? Which as we all know stands for Rugby Football Club. 3- the dragons are a Gwent Regional team so why not incorporate colours from Ebbw Vale? 4- why rebrand?”
1-why are they using black and amber? 2- the dragons are a Gwent regional team so why use RFC? Which as we all know stands for Rugby Football Club. 3- the dragons are a Gwent Regional team so why not incorporate colours from Ebbw Vale? 4- why rebrand?
— Rugby (MF) 🇺🇦🏴🇺🇦 (@RugbyMF1) June 25, 2022
Another account observed: “Happy with this new re-brand Dragons fans? Absolutely horrendous. What the hell is that?”
ADVERTISEMENT
Happy with this new re-brand Dragons fans? Absolutely horrendous. What the hell is that? ? pic.twitter.com/gab4phaCSV
— Qymru ??????? (@turfcreative) June 25, 2022
Chris Roderick wrote: “Just my opinion (dangerous on Twitter) but I like the Dragons’ new badge and them reverting to RFC. Seems a huge disconnect though in branding between the Ospreys and the other 3 pro clubs. Essentially 3 clubs and 1 regional rugby franchise. Each to their own, but optics are odd.”
Just my opinion (dangerous on Twitter) but I like the Dragons' new badge and them reverting to RFC. Seems a huge disconnect though in branding between the Ospreys and the other 3 pro clubs. Essentially 3 clubs and 1 regional rugby franchise. Each to their own, but optics are odd.
— Chris Roderick (@cgroderick) June 25, 2022
The similarity to the Newport logo irked others, one sarcastic Tweet reading: “A rugby club in Newport where Black and Amber will be prominent.”
A rugby club in Newport where Black and Amber will be prominent.
? pic.twitter.com/FtdpGfjW57— Dai Williams #FBIW (@DaiNewpt) June 24, 2022
Others struck a positive note, with Jamie Philips noting: “People who are most angry about the Dragons RFC rebrand are not Dragons fans so it doesn’t matter as they are not the intended market. Supporters views are what matter most. Once it’s been officially launched and explained, I think the majority of fans will get on board with it.”
ADVERTISEMENT
People who are most angry about the Dragons RFC rebrand are not Dragons fans so it doesn’t matter as they are not the intended market. Supporters views are what matter most. Once it’s been officially launched and explained, I think the majority of fans will get on board with it.
— Jamie Phillips (@JNPhillips4) June 25, 2022
He also pointed out that any hope of the supporters keeping quiet over the rebrand over the weekend seemed a bit of a leap. “I see the new ‘Dragons RFC’ badge has been doing the rounds on here. The rebrand is due to be announced on Monday. Bit silly telling supporters to keep schtum only to then put the new boardings up at Rodney Parade before officially announcing it.”
I see the new ‘Dragons RFC’ badge has been doing the rounds on here. The rebrand is due to be announced on Monday. Bit silly telling supporters to keep schtum only to then put the new boardings up at Rodney Parade before officially announcing it.
— Jamie Phillips (@JNPhillips4) June 25, 2022
The rebrand might be an interesting aside but it’s ulitmately pretty insignificant when weighed against the massive turnaround needed on the pitch at Rodney Parade, where the Dean Ryan’s side managed to go an entire season without giving their fans a victory at home.
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments