The four word tweet from England hooker Cowan-Dickie that has blown up
Departing Exeter Chiefs hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie has taken to Twitter to share his thoughts with a four word tweet that has sparked heavy debate with his followers and rugby fans.
The 29-year-old, who is currently sidelined with injury and is expected to miss the start of England’s Six Nations campaign, tweeted after Exeter’s loss to the Bulls in Pretoria which was marred by a controversial red card to centre Henry Slade.
Shortly after Slade’s red card, Cowan-Dickie tweeted out “how soft is rugby” which quickly garnered over 100,000 views as fans piled in to reply to the England hooker.
How soft is rugby 🙄
— Luke cowan dickie (@1_Dickie) January 14, 2023
Cowan-Dickie didn’t stop there however, happily replying back-and-forth with a few fans over his views in a welcome display of direct player-fan engagement.
Some of his replies were crafted with humour, as one South African fan hit out at Cowan-Dickie with “sour grapes” to which his response was “I don’t like grapes.”
I don’t like grapes
— Luke cowan dickie (@1_Dickie) January 14, 2023
A fan was prepared to bring up Cowan-Dickie’s chop tackle technique, which some fans think is dangerous, but the reply by the Exeter Chief shut the fan down quickly.
He wrote with self-congratulating humour: “Text book I think they call it” with a green tick.
Text book I think they call it ✅
— Luke cowan dickie (@1_Dickie) January 14, 2023
The England hooker showed no fear about getting into it with upset fans, responding to one complaint with “this for real?” before claiming a yellow was the maximum penalty under the current rules.
This for real? First contact on the shoulder. Max yellow that’s the rules
— Luke cowan dickie (@1_Dickie) January 14, 2023
“It’s to reduce head contact, something that will help you when you are older” another fan wrote, referring to the Slade incident.
Cowan-Dickie responded: “But the impact to the head was minimal as he hit shoulder first no? Again I agree rules need to be in place, I just feel it’s too much at the minute”
But the impact to the head was minimal as he hit shoulder first no? Again I agree rules need to be in place, I just feel it’s to much at the minute!
— Luke cowan dickie (@1_Dickie) January 14, 2023
One Bulls fan went at him about the Chiefs performance, calling them ‘”lucky” to be in the game and not “very good” to which Cowan-Dickie insisted he was making a general statement, not about the Chiefs-Bulls game.
Was a statement about rugby in general, not the game 😘
— Luke cowan dickie (@1_Dickie) January 14, 2023
The reaction to the Slade red card was generally critical with many believing it was not worthy of a red.
Former England international and The Rugby Pod host Andy Goode led the charge and labelled the call “ludicrous” and “never a red”, which was a view shared by many fans.
Never a red card for Henry Slade, ludicrous decision. First contact is on the shoulder and he slides up pic.twitter.com/BgTe8FCkJV
— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) January 14, 2023
Harsh call against Slade there… thought he made initial contact on the shoulder, and Arendse changing direction/dipping… #BULvEXE
— Jon Cardinelli (@jon_cardinelli) January 14, 2023
Quite possibly the most ridiculous red card I’ve seen for a while against Slade! Very harsh decision
— Georgia Hill (@GeorgiaHill78) January 14, 2023
Henry Slade and Exeter Chiefs ABSOLUTELY shafted. Disgraceful decision by another cowboy official. #HeinekenChampionsCup #BULvEXE
— Ross Hancock (@RossiHancock) January 14, 2023
The Slade sending off was farcical. First contact clearly on the shoulder and the player was at knee height. Don’t want to see head injuries but rugby is being ruined by decisions like that. #BULvEXE
— Mike Walton (@mwtheplumber) January 14, 2023
Henry Slade sent off for @ExeterChiefs by replacement referee against @BlueBullsRugby despite initial contact being on the shoulder. Big implications for @EnglandRugby
— chris jones (@chrisjonespress) January 14, 2023
Henry Slade very unfortunate to be given a red card for a high tackle on Kurt-Lee Arendse, who had ducked down, initial contact was on the shoulder as well before sliding up.
Yellow would have sufficed.— Ken Borland (@KenBorland) January 14, 2023
Henry Slade knees were basically touching the grass he couldn’t have been any lower. Just a rugby incident, never a red. #killingthegame #BULvEXE
— Fabrizio Olduini (@FabrizioOlduini) January 14, 2023
I’ve just seen the Henry Slade red card. What were the officials thinking!
— Chris Davies (@RubbishNo3) January 15, 2023
No way is this ref debating a red card for Henry Slade!!!!! What a joke. That’s not even a yellow
— For Rucks Sake (@RucksSake) January 14, 2023
Comments on RugbyPass
Just such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
4 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
4 Go to comments