The Sale 'no knee' discussion has taken another fresh twist in South Africa
Premiership Rugby’s Rugby Against Racism initiative last weekend was perhaps defined more by those who did not take a knee before kick-off than those who did – and now a South African trade union joined the debate initially sparked by the actions of the Sale players last Friday.
In support of the Black Lives Matter movement, each Gallagher Premiership side showed their support in different ways, but there was a large contingent of players that opted not to take a knee, something that has been seen in many sports over the past months.
Players have already defended their decision, such as Saracens’ Billy Vunipola who chose not to kneel for religious reasons. However, Sale Sharks drew the most attention on Friday night when eleven of their starting XV chose not to kneel, eight of which were South African.
Those included Springbok World Cup winners Faf de Klerk and Lood de Jager‚ twins Jean-Luc and Daniel du Preez‚ their older brother Robert‚ Akker van der Merwe‚ Coenie Oosthuizen and club captain Jono Ross.
England’s Manu Tuilagi, Scotland wing Byron McGuigan and Wales prop WillGriff John also stood. They did, however, wear the Rugby Against Racism t-shirts to show support for the Premiership’s cause.
Billy Vunipola on why he didn't take a knee last weekend ? https://t.co/nAwLCEYgJ8
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 19, 2020
Sale’s director of rugby Steve Diamond was quick to dismiss the issue, but South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, asked for an explanation as to why so many players have taken this stance and urged South Africa Rugby to respond.
But the South African trade union Solidarity have addressed the minister’s inquiry, saying the players were well within their rights to remain standing.
[VERKLARING] “Sulke gedrag lê geheel en al buite die bevoegdheid van die minister en maak inbreuk op hierdie spelers se vryheid van spraak, oortuigings en geloof,” sê @WernerHuman18 @maroelamedia @eNuus @Klankkoerant https://t.co/KQ6CKGjRQZ
— Solidariteit (@solidariteit) August 19, 2020
Werner Human, the union’s deputy chief executive officer for legal affairs and research, provided more information on Solidarity’s website. He said (translated from Afrikaans on Google):
“Such behaviour is completely outside the competence of the minister and infringes on these players’ freedom of speech, beliefs and religion. In fact, we are not even talking about freedom of expression – the minister is trying to bring about forced expression of speech here. It can never be tolerated.”
The head of the vocational guilds division, Hennie Bierman, developed this reaction further, explaining the position the players are in. He said: “Athletes are already in a particularly vulnerable position with regard to job security. We cannot allow their constitutional rights to be violated either.”
With Sale set to play again on Friday against Exeter, their players’ actions before kick-off will likely again be scrutinised.
"I will never take a knee to anyone else than GOD!"
– Fallout from Friday's night has taken a twist
https://t.co/ejijxiDl6I— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 19, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
Bar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
35 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
35 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
35 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
35 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
35 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
35 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
35 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
18 Go to comments