World Rugby's 'agreement' with the SRU hasn't gone down well in Scotland
The saga between World Rugby and the Scottish Rugby Union is now over, but it has left a bitter taste in many mouths.
World Rugby confirmed on Thursday that the SRU have issued an apology and paid a donation of £70,000 for comments made by chief executive Mark Dodson in the build-up to their match with Japan in Yokohama at the recent World Cup.
The match was in danger of being cancelled as it coincided with the weekend that Typhoon Hagibis ravaged part of Japan.
Cancellation would have eliminated Scotland from the RWC without playing their final pool match and Dodson accused World Rugby of disorganisation and unfairly treating his country.
Given the circumstances, and the danger that the typhoon posed, these comments caused outrage, but many Scotland fans seem to still back what Dodson said.
Bit disappointed that we have given in to bullying.
— Burgh Watch (@bigparahandy) November 14, 2019
Can't believe you caved to that hypocrisy.
— girl_unattached (@GUnattached) November 14, 2019
Scotland fans have accused World Rugby of bullying and have suggested that the SRU folded under pressure, as they clearly feel that Dodson was within his rights to say what he did.
During the RWC, Scotland adopted a siege mentality as it seemed that the rest of the world backed World Rugby’s stance to potentially cancel their match. While the SRU have paid the fine, many fans seem to still have this siege approach.
Disappointing. Folded quicker than an old deckchair. World Rugby will be delighted that we are no longer talking about their poor organisation.
— Roger (@RogerBainbo) November 14, 2019
Absolute joke. Shouldn't apologise for something we shouldn't be regretting. @WorldRugby made a fool of themselves by not having a plan for games getting cancelled, they should apologise to us.
— John Burns (@awesomeburner) November 14, 2019
And when will we hear World Rugby’s apology and improvement plan for failing to have ANY adverse-weather contingency planning?? ?????
— Carlos Fantasia (@carlos_fantasia) November 14, 2019
Three games were cancelled that weekend at the RWC – England versus France, Namibia versus Canada and New Zealand versus Italy. Although Italy captain Sergio Parisse did complain about the decision, there was no reaction comparable to Scotland’s. Equally, there was more riding on their contest with Japan.
Both England and France had already qualified from their pool, Namibia and Canada were already out (although it was maybe the Namibians’ best chance of securing a first-ever RWC win), and while Italy were still mathematically in the tournament, it would have required their first-ever victory over the All Blacks.
Scotland’s match with Japan did have a different feel to the other three, as Gregor Townsend’s side had a legitimate chance of qualifying, but these were extraordinary circumstances.
However, many fans are still clearly aggrieved at their side’s treatment in the tournament and feel that there should have been contingency plans in place, which was one of the main criticisms at the time.
Well done for bending over like the obedient little union you are. Tell me, did you get a good deal selling that spine?
— Steven Kelly (@kane_richards) November 14, 2019
Cop out. SRU were placed into an impossible position by World Rugby who were totally wrong. We were there we know what it was like and what the Japanese fans thought. Take the medals back from England.
— Bill Wilkinson (@billwilkinson9) November 14, 2019
The most disappointing thing for Scotland may be the fact that the game went ahead and they still lost in what was one of the most thrilling matches of the tournament. The punishment handed to them by World Rugby has only added insult to injury.
WATCH: Scottish Rugby fined and told by World Rugby to write ‘meaningful apology’
Comments on RugbyPass
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments