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Storm erupts over former international's comments on women's rugby

By Ian Cameron
"Personally, I find watching the women’s game complicated and arduous to watch," wrote Corkery.

A former Ireland international backrow has caused a storm after taking to social media to air controversial views about women’s rugby.

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David Corkery’s comments come as the Women’s Rugby World Cup is taking place in Ireland.

Writing on Facebook, Corkery says that women playing rugby is ‘not what God intended’.

“Personally, I find watching the women’s game complicated and arduous to watch,” wrote Corkery.

“I think we all partly watch rugby because of the physical battles it produces. The big hits, the powerful runs, the struggle at the scrum and so on, however I simply do not like watching ladies knocking lumps out of each other, and before any women’s pro right campaigners start circling the wagons and looking to burn me at the stake, this is only an opinion.

“Maybe I’m just getting old but when I see women partake in any kind of confrontational and aggressive behaviourisms, it just doesn’t sit right with me.

“When god (if there is one) created women, he didn’t do so with the intention for them to be smashed in a tackle or punched in the face.”

Corkery goes on to write that he doesn’t think women’s rugby is as entertaining as the men’s game.

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“I also think the ladies game lacks the same kind of entertainment value that the men’s version offers albeit, there are some male games where you would be better off watching the grass grow in your front lawn such are the ridged restrictions placed on today’s players by their coaches.

“I fully realise that the women’s game is still very much in its infancy in terms of growth in this country and that in order for it to develop and flourish there needs to be a major increase in funding from the various governing unions. Unfortunately, this is something that is not going to happen anytime soon because of the ever-increasing running costs that are associated with the men’s professional game.

“The professional game has already severely tarnished the amateur club game in this country and unless the women’s code can generate a massive surge in support, funding and most importantly television viewing figures, it is highly unlikely that the IRFU will put in place a progressive grass roots system that will allow females obtain the skills they need.

“At this stage, it is imperative to remind people that accountants now run the game in most countries and unless teams, be they male or female, can generate surplice revenue, they will be viewed as unwanted baggage.
Regrettably the game is now a business.

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Corkey concludes by saying: “I will not be attending any of the games but I will watch Ireland’s progress with intrigue and I wish Tom and his girls all the very best.”

His post has caused an uproar among supporters of the women’s rugby.

Some, however, agreed with Corkery’s views.

David Corkery is a retired Irish rugby union player. In his career, playing largely as a blindside, he played for Cork Constitution, Munster and Bristol, as well as winning 27 caps for Ireland between 1994 and 1999.

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Bull Shark 2 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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