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'Unprofessional' Sale Sharks tweet goes viral for all the wrong reasons
There’s a fine art to Twitter – especially when you have the backing of an incredibly successful professional rugby club. It’s fair to say that Sale Sharks didn’t quite get their social media game right on Thursday, with one particular tweet about Mike Brown drawing plenty of criticism.
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The Sharks account tweeted out a short clip of an excellent piece of skill from loose forward Ben Curry, who was one of Sale’s best performers in their Premiership Cup final win over Harlequins last Monday.
The clip showed Curry making the most of some ragged defence after receiving the ball shortly after a kick-off by chipping ahead and tearing off down the field in pursuit.
Curry, 22, managed to outpace the turning Harlequins defence and reclaim the ball but the play ultimately came to nothing.
It wasn’t the content of the clip that had some calling the tweet “embarrassing” and “unprofessional”. It was the message accompanying the video, which highlighted Curry “dusting and [sic] England Rugby full-back”.
How about @BenCurry98 dusting and @EnglandRugby full back… ??????
Sorry not Sorry @mikebrown_15 ? pic.twitter.com/LBTrK42XlI
— Sale Sharks ? (@SaleSharksRugby) September 24, 2020
Brown, 35, who had to turn and chase the ball, was the full-back in question and social media users have chastised the Sale account for framing the clip around how Curry bested Brown instead of simply highlighting the flanker’s excellent skill set.
Brown, who was tagged in the Sale tweet, responded by saying “Luckily (the social media poster is) not a representation of how (the players) are.”
Nice humility ??
Well done to your players for the win, well deserved. Luckily you’re not a representation of how they are.— Mike Brown (@mikebrown_15) September 24, 2020
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Users of the social media platform were quick to take sides, with the majority suggesting that the Tweet was poorly thought out and in ill-taste.
As a Sale old boy I’m embarrassed by this..
It’s bad enough having a star above the badge for the *Prem* win when the rest of the league has it for winning Europe ?
— Gareth Reynolds (@garethreynolds) September 24, 2020
Petty and unprofessional from Sale, particularly as they can’t even get the wording in their jibe right. #embarrassing
— Neil Winter (@1NeilWinter) September 24, 2020
Sharks , you won the game fair and square , be proud of that and promote the good work of your team , no need to disrespect our players . #rugbyvalues
— Quinssa (@QuinssaRugby) September 24, 2020
Distinct lack of class demonstrated by who ever is control of the @SaleSharksRugby twitter account. Sure praise you own, but no need for the dig.
— Andrew Charles (@MrA_Charles) September 24, 2020
A number of users also suggested that the Sale account needed to take a leaf out of Bristol Bears’ book, whose social media work has been widely praised in recent times.
You need the Bristol Bears team to show you how it’s done bab.
— Danny Ingram (@DannyIngram1) September 24, 2020
The issue is is that @BristolBears do social media so well and teams are now trying to copy and getting it very very wrong.
— Tom Arkell (@t20media) September 24, 2020
Think you need some lessons from the @BristolBears and @Barbarian_FC twitter accounts in banter ?
— Andrew Briggs (@chogger5) September 24, 2020
Brown wasn’t the only high-profile Twitter user to respond to the tweet, with the Harlequins and Saracens club accounts jumping in to respond.
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— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) September 24, 2020
As of Friday morning, the tweet had not been deleted. However, there were many suggestions from Twitter users that the Sharks should quickly remove the tweet and apologise for their poor form.
Comments on RugbyPass
I think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
11 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
11 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
11 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
11 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
11 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
11 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to comments