Twitter reaction to Bath included deleted tweet by England player
Wednesday afternoon’s confirmation that Bath have undergone yet another restructure involving Stuart Hooper and Ed Griffiths generated much reaction on Twitter, including a deleted tweet from England international Joe Cokanasiga. It was December when Munster’s Johann van Grann was confirmed as head coach for the 2022/23 season with Hooper remaining as director of rugby, while the following month ex-Saracens guru Griffiths was appointed as chairman following an initial consultancy at The Rec.
That plan has now been shredded, though, following what was described as a power struggle at the club and it has resulted in the incoming van Grann being handed full control of first-team rugby matters, with Hooper demoted to a newly-created general manager position under him and Griffiths exiting the club altogether.
Naturally, the latest swings and roundabouts at a club that was anchored to the foot of the Gallagher Premiership table until last weekend’s win against London Irish was subject to much commentary on social media and perhaps the most intriguing comment was a deleted tweet by Cokanasiga, who was part of the England training squad in London at the start of this week.
Bath fan Lucas Ward managed to screenshot the “Weird lol” deleted response that the winger posted to the official club Twitter story, Bath Rugby confirms new rugby structure for the 2022/23 season after in-season reset. “Deleted tweet from Big Joe in regards to the departure of Ed Griffiths,” wrote Ward.
Dragons-bound Max Clark, who is soon leaving Bath for the URC after more than a decade’s service, tweeted: “I want to say a personal thank you to Ed Griffiths. He brought some needed light in a very dark season!”
Deleted tweet from Big Joe in regards to the departure of Ed Griffiths ? @BathBytes @bathrugbyplug pic.twitter.com/oDB2zq3i6d
— Lucas Ward (@LucasWard_) May 25, 2022
Ex-England international Andy Goode didn’t agree, though, writing: “The best thing Bath announced today is that Ed Griffiths has left the building. All the better for the club and Premiership rugby in general!” This prompted a reply from Craig Chalmers, the ex-Scotland player. “Couldn’t agree more Goody! Good riddance! Total fraud!”
With regard to the new role for Hooper, Bath fan David Burgess quipped: “On today of all days it makes you wonder who is better at dodging responsibility Stuart Hooper or Boris Johnson!?!”
Great to hear Ed has been a positive influence for the club and hopefully as the players you know and understand more than what supporters hear through the rumour mill…it’s just a shame and concern a chap with his wealth of experience has left after such a short time?
— Peter Chapman (@peterchapman27) May 25, 2022
Couldn’t agree more Goody! Good riddance! Total fraud!
— Craig Minto Chalmers (@Chick_Chalmers) May 25, 2022
On today of all days it makes you wonder who is better at dodging responsibility Stuart Hooper or Boris Johnson!?!
— David Burgess (@daveburgess1968) May 25, 2022
One of least surprising announcements to come out of the Club in a while and yet one of the most positive.
— Bruce Pollendine (@oddshapedman) May 25, 2022
Stuart Hooper stays in a new role of general manager. Ed Griffiths goes after leading the review. A wretched season on the pitch, with talk of much discontent off it, nears its conclusion. Pleased Hooper, who loves the place more than most, will be part of the fixing process. https://t.co/1cWt4VbY1l
— Nick Mullins (@andNickMullins) May 25, 2022
I thought with Ed Griffiths onboard we would see a major improvement next season but now wondering if it could be more of the same as this season.
— Garrie T (@fromeboy2905) May 25, 2022
There is a huge shroud of mystery around the whole Ed Griffiths episode! There seems to be support for him from some of the players but it almost sounds like he had an air of tyranny running through Farleigh, I guess it's another tale in the shenanigans of Bath we'll never know pic.twitter.com/pARF2Yu9ro
— BathBytes (@BathBytes) May 26, 2022
But his job wasn’t done.
Conversely it was just starting – leadership, vision,values and culture all needed addressing.
If he’s gone because Stuart Hooper wanted more involvement then IMO the wrong person left the building!— Ken Trowbridge (@KenTrowbridge3) May 25, 2022
The man with a proven track record of success leaves. The other doesn’t. As an outside observer it doesn’t seem to make sense.
— Chris Haywood (@Chris61172903) May 25, 2022
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry 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.
1 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.
2 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
2 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!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments