Wasps bound All Black compares Grenfell Tower tragedy to 9/11 conspiracy
Wasps bound All Black flyhalf Lima Sopoaga has courted controversy online after tweeting a number of bizarre observations about the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
The tragic blaze broke out on June 14th, 2017 in the 24-storey Grenfell Tower block of public housing flats in West London.
It left 72 of the buiding’s 293 inhabitants dead.
The 16 times capped All Black was watching a documentary on the fire before issuing a series of clumsy and provocative tweets.
“Anyone else watching this grenfell tower documentary on TV1. #sosad”
Anyone else watching this grenfell tower documentary on TV1. #SoSad
— Lima Sopoaga (@LimaSopoaga) June 24, 2018
His next tweets were more cryptic however, with the Highlanders’ pivot making a comparison between the London fire and 911, and comparing the cost of the Royal Wedding to how much was spent in the aftermath of the tragedy by the UK government.
“So they had money for a royal wedding but no money to help the people of grenfell tower? The Fs up with that!”
So they had money for a royal wedding but no money to help the people of grenfell tower? The Fs up with that!
— Lima Sopoaga (@LimaSopoaga) June 24, 2018
“Makes you think that if grenfell burned for a few days and never collapsed. How did the twin towers collapse because of a fire?
Makes you think that if grenfell burned for a few days and never collapsed. How did the twin towers collapse because of a fire? ??
— Lima Sopoaga (@LimaSopoaga) June 24, 2018
Understandably many Tweeters were quick to correct the All Black and challenge him on his apparently careless tweets.
Greenfell didn't have a plane hit it first…
— Raggs (@rugbydantasman) June 24, 2018
Best you just stick to thinking about winning your next cap. Leave thinking about serious issues to people with the I.Q of more than a rocking horse.? #Buffoon
— Russ Gardner (@RussGardner13) June 24, 2018
— Pappa (@pappabearhbc) June 24, 2018
Entitled to your opinion @LimaSopoaga , but trying to win over new @WaspsRugby fans, a lot of whom are royalists, with comments like this, won't help. There is more about these royal budgets and what has happened with Grenfell than you can learn in a documentary.
— IanBlack (@IronWasp1961) June 24, 2018
Stay out of British politics until you know your facts Lima… pic.twitter.com/Cm6cv29qi5
— RugbyInsideLine (@RugbyInsideLine) June 24, 2018
It’s not the first time Lima has courted controversy on social media. The All Black got into a bust-up with fans after apparently criticising an NBA player.
The NBA star JR Smith posted a hypothetical scenario on Instagram, asking his followers what would they do if they found a truck full of cash with your child and the driver of the truck deceased.
Smith captioned that his child would have said “Daddy get that side i got this side” to which Lima Sopoaga replied, “Daddy will all this money buy you a jump shot to help LBJ in the finals?”
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been a one-man band in the NBA playoffs with many commentators criticising the team for performing poorly providing little to no help to Lebron James. The trolling by Sopoaga triggered a wave of angry NBA fans, unaware of who he was.
Wasps are confirmed Sopoaga will be joining them for the 2018/19 season following his Super Rugby commitments with the Highlanders.
The 26-year-old has 16 caps and has scored 55 test points since making his All Blacks debut against South Africa in July 2015.
Comments on RugbyPass
$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
2 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to comments