Is rugby becoming too violent?
Post categories: The Phone-in
| 08:22 UK time, Monday, 29 June 2009
Is rugby becoming too violent?
Five of the British Lions were hospitalised after their match against the Springboks on Saturday, among them Luke Fitzgerald whose eyes were gouged by Shalk Burger - who's been suspended for eight weeks.
It's not the only eye gouging incident this weekend - the captain of Italy, Sergio Parisse got an identical ban for an incident against the All Blacks.
So, is rugby out of control? Does punishment for on the field violence go far enough?
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Comments
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Bryce Lawrence (NZ) and Stuart Dickinson (Aus) are the most biassed of referees so I have not expected the outcome of any Lions decisions to be any different once you see their name on the sheet. Dickinson was the video ref on Saturday and next week when he is the match ref I doubt the Lions will come out of any decision well. You only have to look at some of the "unlucky" decisions against England in particular, and there is dear old Stuart either running the game or as an assistant. The only other name I have left off is Alain Rolland who also has a partiality for anyone not England.
When there is a new crop of senior refs anyone from the northern hemisphere will stand a better chance.
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Absolutely not...Refs should interpret the laws to the letter. Burger should have got a red card.
Rugby is a tough sport, I have two grandsons who play and rather rugby than football. Both have come on greatly as young persons as a result because team spirit is paramount in rugby. There are bad apples in rugby as in any sport. I'm a Sale supporter and go to all home and many away games and dirty cowardly violent play is extremely rare, and usually punished with a lengthy ban. International rugby you could argue is getting more violent or getting more passionate. South Africa are known as possibly the hardest team in the game. Hard is not a problem refs and the IRB just need to get tougher.
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Nikki - yes but only in some games. Fair play generally seems no worse. I was cheering on the Springbok - Shelagh and Nicky know why - but I didn't want to win that way. Eye gouging etc? I needn't go to SA for that - I could get that at home..........lol
Well done my half familys team though. Play up play up and play the game properly next time please, Springbok.
The Lions will win the last game mind and Andy Murray will NOT win Wimbledon.
I hope I am wrong in the latter prediction but you know my track record. Now if only that worked for the gee gees! lol
Subject: A new prescription that may be too late
Anagram: Peter - inamorata wealthy - BO to inspect
Wealthy? I sigh!
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Rugby is a full contact sport, like football. But unlike football we don't play with hard pads and helmets, and don't make a practice of head-butting one another. There's a certain tackling mentality involved with wearing protective equipment, and a mentality associated with not wearing it. We'll teach you how to tackle and be tackled safely - well, as safely as possible.
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this is nothing new its been goiong on for ages yet all of a sudden its become a big deal if it wasnt five of our british lions players would we be discussing this i dont think so
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Since the introduction of TMO's, I cant understand why the communication from the field ref to the TMO is only one way. i.e. it is only when the field ref asks for his assistance to see if a try is scored that he is actually used.
I think the roll of the TMO should be expanded so that he has the same status as the touch judges but with the added benefit of the TV replays. That is to say if he sees any instances of foul play then he should be able to intervene in the same way that a touch judge can by holding out his flag. All that is needed is a recognised alarm sound in the field refs earpiece to alert him that there has been an act of foul play and that that the TMO wants to speak to him.
The TMO should also be able to intervene for other matters such as a forward pass that lead to a try that the field ref has missed.
Finally why cant the technology of TV replays also be improved. The controversial try scored by South Africa at the end of the game was inconclusive as one angle showed that the player grounded the ball cleanly before hitting the corner flag. Another angle showed his foot clearly in touch, but you could not see if hed grounded the ball before his foot was in touch, as is occasionally a problem when analysing TV replays. Analysing two or more replays side by side with synchronised timing from different angles in most cases would clear up the uncertainty.
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Lucid as ever jimmy-dean.
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As per my keen observations,Rugby is always a tough sport.
Very interesting to watch this sport.
Sometimes,umpire!s decision goes wrong.That created some ruptures between two playing teams.
Patience is required.
These are all sports.
We came here to watch,listen,enjoy with our friends and with wellwsihers.
I think that due to bet,money transactions,emotional outburst are creating violence either in the field or afterwards.
Regarding,Wimbeldon tennis,Andey Murray,Roger Federer,Serna ,Venus William,Hewitt,Anna Ivanovic have better chances for semi-final and final game.
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Peter De Villiers? lol
Oh dear! he was quoted on BBC TV News just now as almost approving of eye gouging!
But the mistake was his quote of seemingly saying those who disagree with his view should go to the nearest ballet shop and purchase tutus? I hope that was sort of correct - accuracy wise I mean and sorry if it were not.l
Peter, Peter.
Tutu? Plural?
From a South African? The surname of one of the tougest humans I know - and only compounded by the suggestion that ballet participants and particularly female dancers are somehow soft? My, my.
I remember years back - that excuse about someone who massively misspoke years back. Said misspeaker - first name Andrew (I will say no more) was just finding his feet came the cry in Andrew's defence.
Someone responded drily - "he should try looking in his mouth". lol
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In the good old days the players got a certain amount of lenience and took action with their fists when referee 's missed any foul play. This would make redundant the need for snide cheap shots as it would be in the open and less dangerous. The outraged 5 live listeners would complain about a simple punch up I expect though!!
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