1
Northampton Saints players hit out at 4G pitches with gruesome photos of Allianz Park injuries
Northampton scrum half Alex Mitchell has sparked a debate on Twitter over the use of 4G pitches in rugby after posting a gruesome picture of the injury he sustained playing at Allianz Park during the Saints’ 36-17 defeat to Saracens in the Gallagher Premiership last Saturday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Mitchell picked up some nasty grazes and said on Twitter “Say No to these 4G pitches @theRPA”.
Say No to these 4G pitches @theRPA pic.twitter.com/Qirb89ChIh
— Alex Mitchell (@alexmitchell97) March 4, 2019
His clubmate Fraser Dingwall was in full agreement, the 19-year-old England U20 centre went off in the opening quarter against Sarries and posting a picture of his foot encased in a surgical boot he said: “Agreed. Both times on 4G @theRPA”
Agreed. Both times on 4G @theRPA pic.twitter.com/cLfIVoh0a6
— Fraser Dingwall (@FraserDingwall_) March 4, 2019
One Twitter user Jamie Watson responded to Mitchell stating “Been there before mate! Ended up getting infected as well, horrific!”
https://twitter.com/w4tsn/status/1102540818626297857
Another Twitter user @NickRayment who said he was a physio said: “My (physio) perspective from a biomechanical point of view: On grass and mud a firm tackle to the leg and the ground (generally) gives way to the stud. 4G weave with no give; a stud or two are fixed firmly in the ground… something else has to give. #joint #bone”
My (physio) perspective from a biomechanical point of view:
On grass and mud a firm tackle to the leg and the ground (generally) gives way to the stud. 4G weave with no give; a stud or two are fixed firmly in the ground… something else has to give. #joint #bone— Nick Rayment ?? (@NickRayment) March 4, 2019
Another user on the social media platform, @Chrishood57 said: “I think the many arguments in favour of them are becoming much less credible I can see the point of them for all weather soccerball practise, but rugby is a different type of game, much of it hitting the deck in some forcible fashion. Torn ligaments and missing skin? Just no ?
I think the many arguments in favour of them are becoming much less credible
I can see the point of them for all weather soccerball practise, but rugby is a different type of game, much of it hitting the deck in some forcible fashion. Torn ligaments and missing skin? Just no ?— Chris Hood ? (@Chrishood57) March 4, 2019
Another Twitter user @OHCelt replied: “Not to mention the long term damage to ankles, knees, and other joints and tendons from this surface. Just look at 50 year old NFL players.”
ADVERTISEMENT
https://twitter.com/OHCelt/status/1102564339536592896
It’s not the first time a 4G pitch has come in for criticism, Glasgow Warriors’ Scotstoun pitch was lambasted last May with Scarlets back Johnny McNicholl stating that 4G pitches should be “illegal” after Scarlets players were left with burns, bad grazing and blisters following their Pro14 semi-final win at Glasgow Warriors.
The New Zealander said: “It has not been a couple of nice nights, sticking to the sheets,
“Underfoot, it is good when you are running, but as soon as you hit the deck it affects your joints as well.
“I would prefer not to play on them. I remember going down on the deck for the ball and got this massive grass burn on my backside.
ADVERTISEMENT
“It was like a carpet burn. I said to the trainer straight after with a few words that I felt this pitch should be illegal.”
The 28-13 last-four victory also came at a cost for Steff Evans.
“These [wounds] are going to be stuck with me for a while, it is a tough field that 4G. It was just really dry. It wasn’t soft, it was a hard ground.” the Wales wing said.
“The weather didn’t help, it was like playing on carpet, it was shocking. You are waking up in bed and the sheets are stuck to your leg about seven times a night.”
You may also like: Rugby Explorer – South Africa
Comments on RugbyPass
I've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
7 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
43 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
7 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
7 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
7 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
7 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
7 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to comments