Misguided pile-ons do more harm than good to women's rugby
In my job, social media is a necessary evil, but the cesspit that is X, formally Twitter, managed to outdo itself this week after photos and video emerged of Jamie George running a lineout session with the Red Roses ahead of their Guinness Women’s Six Nations clash with Wales.
Suddenly, because of the social media content, it was a staged PR stunt in the minds of some so-called fans and their lapdogs. Honestly, please give your head a wobble. Even this dinosaur newspaper journalist on the wrong side of 50, who is new to the digital media world, knows it is a numbers game.
In November, Kevin Sinfield visited Manchester United’s Carrington training ground to participate in a coaching exchange day, and guess what? There was a story and photos on the football club’s website and a nearly five-minute interview on their YouTube channel.
When Gareth Southgate visited Pennyhill Park to watch an England rugby training session, it was accompanied by photos, stories and interviews on the respective websites and social media channels. So, are they staged PR stunts? Honestly, give me a break.
I’ll put this out there. Jamie George is one of the most honest and thoroughly decent blokes in our sport, and you will be hard-pressed to find anyone in rugby who will have a bad word to say about a man who only lost his mum a few short weeks ago.
In such circumstances, he could have been forgiven for shutting himself away on what was probably his day off and coming to terms with the fact the person who brought him into the world was taken from him far too early.
Instead, he drove around the biggest car park in the world, the M25, to impart knowledge to players who seemed to be drinking in everything one of the best players in his position had to say. And it wasn’t the first time he had done it. I’m told he has worked with the Saracens women’s team from time to time.
England coach John Mitchell certainly didn’t think it was a PR stunt: “I worked with Jamie before. He is a good human being. He’s one of the lads I enjoyed when I was in the environment and have remained close to since.”
Hardly PR guff, is it?
The evangelists – and that is exactly what they are – who seek to wage culture wars to push their own distorted agendas are an embarrassment to themselves and the sport they are seeking to promote, and they do far more damage than good.
They should focus on growing the women’s game rather than putting down the men’s game. Comparing men’s and women’s sports creates division and brings out the very worst in social media: pile-ons, misogyny, and a whole myriad of putrid nonsense.
I’ll be completely honest. I struggle with the Women’s Six Nations. As much as I try, I cannot get into watching one-sided beatdowns. But it was the same when New Zealand and France were putting nearly 100 points on teams in the men’s game. It does nothing for me.
Before I’m cancelled or become the subject of a pile-on, I have no moral obligation to like or watch it. There are some women’s sports that I am all over. I love boxing, particularly women’s boxing where the best fight the best.
Sandy Ryan’s fight with Terri Harper was the one I was most looking forward to on last weekend’s Matchroom card, for instance, and I have already booked the curry for Jessica McCaskill vs Lauren Price next month.
Women’s sport has many, many advantages over men’s sport. It’s more family-friendly, priced to attract families, less tribal and you will be less likely to be wearing someone’s pint because they have been throwing as much overpriced alcohol as they can for hours.
Embrace what your sport is good at and cut out the petty nonsense because you aren’t doing rugby or society any favours.
Comments on RugbyPass
A Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
2 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
2 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
2 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to comments