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WRU statement clarifies what went on with their disappearing numbers
The Welsh Rugby Union have had to clarify what happened when just minutes after kick-off against Argentina in their quarter-final in Marseille, the numbers started falling off the players’ backs.
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Ten minutes in, the likes of scrum-half Gareth Davies had already been completely stripped of his number, while others were half torn off and clearly on the way to going altogether.
It became very obvious very quickly, and fans were quick to comment on the fairly unique situation.
The fella who did the numbers for Wales #WALvARG pic.twitter.com/ImHraYx3LC
— David Kelly (@dkelly1ie) October 14, 2023
Wales’ jersey manufacturers looking at all the numbers falling off after 15 Mins #WALvARG #rugbyworldcup2023 pic.twitter.com/0XJcxncbpB
— Brian Reilly (@BrianReilly6) October 14, 2023
It turned out to be an amusing indication of who was involved physically, as fly-half Dan Biggar’s number appeared to be perfectly intact when he crossed for an excellent try in the 14th minute.
UK broadcaster ITV even closed the half with a video montage of numbers falling off in super slow motion.
Most players seemed to switch to different shirts in the sheds, but some were still missing numbers, leaving commentators silent at times when they quite obviously struggled to identify players.
Wales’ plan to shed their numbers to thwart potential TMO interventions is genius #WALvARG
— Graham Love (@glove931) October 14, 2023
The WRU (Welsh Rugby Union) have today clarified that shirt manufacturer Macron were not to blame.
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“As for all other matches during France 2023 we used a local, tournament-recommended printer to print the numbers on our jerseys for Saturday’s quarter-final meeting with Argentina,” said the WRU statement.
“Unfortunately, it would appear these printers did not use the correct process for attaching the numbers.
“For clarity, Macron supply high quality kit to the WRU without numbers and the printing process follows. The error had nothing to do with the quality of the shirts nor their manufacture nor any individual member of staff.”
Argentina seem like they definitely have more numbers on the field. I’ll get my coat. 😆 #WALvARG #RWC2023.
— Paul O’Kane (@pmokane) October 14, 2023
It was a disappointing day for Wales all around, as they went on to lose a closely contested match 29-17, after Argentina legend Nicolas Sanchez snatched an intercept try and sealed the win with a late penalty.
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Wales leave the tournament with plenty of positives after they were unbeaten in the pool stages, while Los Pumas continue their journey and will face New Zealand in the semi finals in Paris on Friday.
Comments on RugbyPass
Danny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
38 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
2 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
34 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
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