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Rowe's 'massively selfish' comments do not sit well with fans
Exeter Chiefs chairman Tony Rowe’s recent comments labelling England as “greedy” have not gone down well at all.
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After the Chiefs secured a historic European and domestic double over the weekend when they overcame Wasps in torrid conditions in the Gallagher Premiership final, Rowe chastised the Rugby Football Union for the lack of compensation clubs receive upon losing players during the international window. He said: “We employ the players, they are our players. Being forced to release them for so many international games is not good. We don’t get compensated enough.
“The reality is that we bred these guys for ourselves, we didn’t breed them for England.
“England can get too greedy. They are very quick to run the other way when we want money. At the moment we are desperate for money in the Premiership to stay alive.”
In the wake of these comments, Rowe has faced an attack from all angles online from those that have taken umbrage with his comments.
The main point that many have raised is that international rugby is the pinnacle of any player’s career, more so than other sports. Though Rowe has not suggested otherwise, the emphasis is that the priority for any player should always be to play international rugby.
Rowe’s comments have not simply fallen on deaf ears; there are those that appreciate his point and understand where he is coming from, but have said that this is a longstanding problem that the likes of Leicester Tigers and Saracens have faced. Moreover, other chairmen have raised this same issue in the past.
The current deal in place with the RFU for releasing players has also been mentioned by fans in a further line of attack.
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Additionally, the timing of this complaint is another area of contention given the financial pressure the RFU finds itself under during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The irony of this entire situation is that Exeter Chiefs are not particularly well represented in the England squad given their recent success.
Only three players, Henry Slade, Harry Williams and Jonny Hill have made Eddie Jones’ 36-man squad, with Luke Cowan-Dickie and Jack Nowell injured.
When compared to player losses Leicester, Wasps and Saracens faced when they were in their pomp, Exeter could actually count themselves lucky that their squad has not been completely decimated.
Chill out….amazing how his aim is to not have players recognised at international level yet Pat Lam is actively encouraging it @BristolBears surely that is every players dream to represent their country?! Maybe try being more humble like your DOR
— Finn is King (@alanwalters6) October 25, 2020
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https://twitter.com/davidsummers64/status/1320670940519419905?s=20
Jeeez after two big wins and complaining already! Look at how many games Saracens England players played in over the years…at most it 50% of the prem matches. Never heard them or any other club moaning about England. Success comes with challenges Tony!
— markyayman (@MarkWayman1973) October 26, 2020
What a hypocritical idiot!
Doing everything he could to ensure Sarries were relegated, although they had to have a big squad to support all the international windows, then as soon as it comes his way he wants more money.— Grubber Rucky (@GrubberRucky) October 26, 2020
I don’t like this one bit. The players put in the endless hours on the pitch and in the gym to be the best they can be, which means playing at the top for country and Lions. They might be contracted by the club but they are not owned. This attitude will bring central contracts.
— ZippyChuck (@ZippyChuck) October 26, 2020
I see his point and he’s not wrong, but the reality is, for the generic rugby fan, international rugby and a successful England team is the sport. England winning the 6N is more important to most than any club success. So compromise needed on all sides.
— Gareth Hopley (@GarethTheHop) October 26, 2020
Sorry, that’s a massively selfish statement. The players are the guys that have worked hard, made the sacrifices- they deserve and have earned the chance to play international rugby. All he’s done(not belittling this) is out the money in. All the hard work was done by others.
— Graham Binns (@Binnsey22) October 26, 2020
I’m not a fan of his at all but you can see his point. The club pays for the coaches and set up to develop them, give them the game time to develop and then they get injured on international duty and the club foots the bill to treat them
— Zane (@ZaneZane1987) October 26, 2020
It’s a funny old world, I didn’t hear Mr Rowe support other successful club owners when they have mentioned this in the past!
— Lordb (@Lordb77366481) October 26, 2020
Welcome to the world of Big Clubs Tony, something Tigers have struggled to manage over the last 10 years! selfish words, without the national game the sport would hardly be in the public domain.
— Jim Concar (@Concaj1) October 26, 2020
Clubs negotiated the terms of player release/payments. Have there been breaches of this contract?? Not happy? Renegotiate. Stop whining about it. Oh and while you’re at it drop all references to indigenous Indians and the bollox that is the tomahawk chop.@ExChiefs4Change
— Biriani (@biriani) October 26, 2020
https://twitter.com/wishee2071/status/1320694487409152001?s=20
https://twitter.com/_LukeSaint/status/1320670532883369985?s=20
Ripe coming coming from him. Saracens have been stocking England with five, six, seven largely home grown players per game for 7-8 years now. Exeter hardly any in comparison. Thats why they had to recruit bigger squad. Rowe had no sympathy for them and I have no sympathy for Rowe
— sussexfox (@sussexfox1) October 26, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
Let’s make them both Capt. I think we'd get the best of both of them and it would help alleviate some of the pressures of the role. They'd have to confer over on field decisions which should lead to “ learnings “ for both. They are our two best consistent performers.
16 Go to commentsOur best player by far..but not a good Captain..poor tactician cost the AB'S and Canes games by not taking the easy points and going for tries when the lineouts were a shambles..can he read a game? And his throat slitting gesture should disqualify him from the AB Captaincy..it is not the appropriate behaviour of an AB Captain.
16 Go to commentsForget what was said or how many players said it. TONY BROWN IS THE NEW ATTACK COACH. That’s the only story worth freaking out over. The springboks are going to grow their game an awful lot over the next cycle and it’s not just the 19 disgustingly arrogant Irish players who refused to shake Ebens hand and said “see you in the final if you can cheat your way past France” who will find that out first hand.
121 Go to commentsOn one hand I think it's a bit ridiculous that this gar into the season and with only 2 wins the Crusaders may make the finals. On the other hand if it was only top 4 or 5, then that last several weeks may be mainly dead rubbers. Nope, 8th place after round robin shouldn't be able to lift the trophy.
1 Go to commentsI do think the media in NZ treated him badly. Sam is a legend. He is humble, a great rugby mind and leader. What happened in the final could happen to anyone. The margins is so fine these days. I lay blame at the feet of the coaching staff and NZ rugby. The stats tell’s all. The AB’s was the worst disciplined side in the WC with more red and yellow cards than anyone else. Problem is NZ rugby is not training their players to play safer. And thats the danger a fast game brings. More yellow and red cards. But Sam Cane in my eye was and still is a great ambassador for the game, that just had a stroke of bad luck.
5 Go to commentsI hope Jim and co. Add this to their list of icebreaker questions they can ask all their guests going forward. So we can eventually hear what everyone thinks about this subject. “What do you think Ireland meant…”
121 Go to commentsHe’s a dominant personality. That might be both a good and bad thing in team dynamics. Certainly it ruined Smith’s first crack at 10 with Owen at 12. BTW, Bristol flatter to deceive. When things really matter, they tend to deliver less rather than more. Farrell would have been good for them
36 Go to commentsGot a lot of over the top abuse from Crusader fans, in particular, who thought every 7 they had was miles better. Now we will see if anyone is better? Laid his body on the line every game so finishing early makes sense. A lot of life left after rugby.
5 Go to commentsA poor decision to appoint Carley as not only is Pearce a better referee but also importantly speaks French.
2 Go to commentsHe is 100 % on the mark. Malicious arrogance with a lack of respect for the other teams mostly the south. they must learn from True rugby nations like the Boks and Kiwis
121 Go to commentsThis Outiniqua boy has played sublime rugby and deserves a spot in BI LIONS team. Well played son
4 Go to commentsI don’t like to see players miss big matches but this ban looks to be tailored to allow him to compete in the final. In principle a suspension for a very dangerous tackle in a semi should warrant missing the relevant final. Done now. One the flip side having both teams with very strong squads/teams available for the final will add to the occassion hopefully.
1 Go to commentsTalent to burn and a huge engine..hope he gets a shot at higher honours
2 Go to commentsIf anything like his dad he has a bright future, Soane was the best ball carrying props ive ever seen using a combination of pace power and footwork.
1 Go to commentsThose who saw Sharks vs Clermont and Ox N'Che vs Rabah Slimani should have a good idea of the best scrumagers… May be not the best props…
2 Go to commentsIt's been an unusual era of unpopular, highly competitive, domineering, fairly big fly halves in the home nations with Farrell, Sexton and Biggar. Russell is different in personality and player I think. I'd rank Sexton first of the three because he is just as good a game controller but also has a great passing game. And his competitiveness never seems to cause problems with refs.
36 Go to commentsThank goodness he wasn't born in Scotland, he'd have been a great candidate for the Scottish Barbarians. I wouldn't put it past them to push for a “where the player was conceived” rule 😂
2 Go to commentsOwen Farrell is one of the most polarising figures in the game. His entire attitude on the field (and sometimes off of it) smacks of arrogance and he is about as brash as Donald Trump in a political debate. Yet behind that facade is a calculating, determined and powerful leader who drives any team forward with an Iron will. You are right in that he gets better in the heat of battle and in the face of overwhelming odds. He develops a narrow focus and he delivers his best in a way that few others can. He is one of Englands great performers who sacrificed alot for the team and who often bears the weight of responsibility of leadership alone on the field and in front of the media. Despite what many think of him he is a fantastic game manager with a good rugby brain. He will be sorely missed from the international stage
36 Go to commentsAlways proud of the effort, Sam. The All blacks never stop fighting, never just roll over. He didn’t get anywhere near the respect he earned, but that’s due to results, not commitment to the cause. Have fun dominating in Japan!
1 Go to commentsNot sure why Papali’i thinks Scott Robertson needs his help to select the next All Black Captain. In my view, Papali’i would be well advised to have a good hard look at his own game, and to reflect on how fortunate he is to even wear the black jersey. Rather than shouting at his team mates at every set piece, standing in the mid-field pointing and holding his arms out and flopping to the ground at the back of every second or third ruck, may I suggest he would be far better employed actually doing something on the field. Seriously, watch him for 10 minutes during a game - not much happens. When was the last time he was first to a breakdown, or actually made a turnover? If Robertson is half the Coach I think he is, Papali’i will not be anywhere near the AB’s this season.
16 Go to comments