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Nowell and Waller lead player response to UK Government decision on no fans at matches

By Josh Raisey
(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Gallagher Premiership players have not been afraid to voice their opinions in the wake of the UK Government decision to delay the reintroduction of fans to stadiums, Jack Nowell of Exeter and Worcester’s Ethan Waller among them.

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In a measure to curtail the spread of Covid-19, it could be well into 2021 that supporters will be able to flock to grounds around the England rather than the initial plans for an October return. 

A number of Gallagher Premiership players have shared their disappointment as well as their confusion, not least because fans can still go to pubs, for instance, to watch a match. 

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Can English clubs survive another six months without fans attending matches?

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Can English clubs survive another six months without fans attending matches?

Worcester Warriors loosehead prop Ethan Waller has perhaps summed up the players’ response to this announcement the best. The 28-year-old is certainly not on his own in this response, as many others have echoed similar views. 

He said: “Nobody is harder than a pandemic. Completely get why changes need to be made, but why can people watch sport with six mates in a pub getting pissed, but can’t sit in open stadiums which would be easy to socially distance at? Any chance of some common sense prevailing at any point?”

England winger Nowell also had his say on the issue, the Exeter player tweeting: “How about this? ‘Open sports stadiums to whoever wants to go and watch, if you don’t, stay at home’. #justathought.”

Although it initially seems that the fans are the ones that miss out the most from empty stadiums, a range of sportspeople have discussed how unpleasant it is to perform in front of no one. 

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On an even more damaging note, however, the Rugby Football Union CEO Bill Sweeney has outlined the huge losses that unions face from having no spectators in the upcoming autumn internationals and even the Six Nations. 

While most understand why such an approach is being taken, it has repeatedly been argued how much safer it is to have fans in an open stadium than it is to have them in other venues that are currently available to attend. Waller has simply voiced his confusion at this, which others have as well, and many more must be thinking.

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Trevor 41 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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