Ireland v The Barbarians

AZOffaly · May 28, 2008, 03:48:06 PM

I watch a good bit of it myself, and there's nearly always a 'confrontation' with forwards squaring up to each other, grabbing jerseys, bit of punching, pushing etc etc. The one thing you don't have is backs running 30 yards to get involved as well, generally because they know a back row forward would clean them out.

Anyway, we're getting off point a little. I like rugby, I watch a lot of it, and I go to a lot of games. It is based on physical combat first and foremost, so I think there is a higher tolerence level for handbags or even a few fisticuffs. But they are still outside the rules, theoretically, and they are still as bad, if not worse, an example to 'the youth' that Joe's liveline is always wailing about.

And every so often you get one of those puching, gouging or kicking a defenceless opponent on the ground, which is just accepted by the media, even if the authorities themselves are fairly good with citing etc. McCrae on O'Gara was sickening to look at, and that incident under the posts last night had potential to be as bad.

Some of these are quite recent, and as bad as the Meath Dublin game....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhvdeGjZDYE

And this is from Munster ulster this year. I didn't hear any furore over this one..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V49tjT1DJGU&feature=related

GalwayBayBoy · May 28, 2008, 03:55:43 PM

Quote from: AZOffaly on May 28, 2008, 03:48:06 PM
I watch a good bit of it myself, and there's nearly always a 'confrontation' with forwards squaring up to each other, grabbing jerseys, bit of punching, pushing etc etc. The one thing you don't have is backs running 30 yards to get involved as well, generally because they know a back row forward would clean them out.

Anyway, we're getting off point a little. I like rugby, I watch a lot of it, and I go to a lot of games. It is based on physical combat first and foremost, so I think there is a higher tolerence level for handbags or even a few fisticuffs. But they are still outside the rules, theoretically, and they are still as bad, if not worse, an example to 'the youth' that Joe's liveline is always wailing about.

Well exactly. As rugby is a game based on overwhelming physical dominance at least in the forwards I think a certain amount of fisticuffs is almost expected so no big deal when it happens in the eyes of the media unless it gets really out of hand. Also since the sin-bin was introduced in rugby it has cut down on the brawls big-time as players now know they'll get punished for punching where in the past they would either get sent off or just let-off. Usually let-off as ref's were reluctant to send players off.

Whereas in GAA and soccer mass brawls tend to really garner the headlines when they happen as visually 20+ players going at it is a lot more visually arresting than two or three lads exchanging blows.

AZOffaly · May 28, 2008, 03:56:53 PM

GBB, that second video I posted above was the Munster ulster game in March. Compare and contrast with the Meath Dublin game in April or whenever it was.

screenexile · May 28, 2008, 04:08:13 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBUi-CNtbDI

To be fair this is the only real mass rugby brawl I could find on youtube... as for that O'Gara incident welll that was scandellous! If ever there was someone who saw a red mist it was McRae. He just wouldn't stop!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RID8_ZFd3o8

AZOffaly · May 28, 2008, 04:22:34 PM

I go back to the Munster video I posted above. Is there much difference between it and the Dublin Meath stuff? I don't think there is, but there is certainly a difference in the media reporting.

Anyway, I'm backing off here now, because I like rugby, I'm a munster fan, and I'm coming off as a rugby hater. All I want is the GAA to be judged by the same standards.

screenexile · May 28, 2008, 04:26:04 PM

I thought there was a difference AZ... in the Munster game there didn't seem to be an actual punch thrown just a load of fellas holding eachother back... there were definitely slaps thrown in the Scummers and Scummers 2 game.

Hound · May 28, 2008, 04:29:23 PM

Quote from: AZOffaly on May 28, 2008, 04:22:34 PM
I'm a munster fan, and I'm coming off as a rugby hater.

Same thing I thought?

Dinny Breen · May 28, 2008, 04:29:36 PM

Mass Brawls in rugby at any level rarely exist anymore never mind the professional level. And to be honest AZ that Mafi incident looks like handbags, a lot of pulling and dragging but I couldn't see any thumps been thrown. Rugby is a collision sport and is a lot more physical than GAA and there is a more tolerant attitude from the ruling bodies and referees as regards this and I suppose this is reflected in the media coverage. Also as a professional sport reporters need access to the players, they're not going to over-board ala the GAA coverage.

What people fail to realise is that the GAA has the most popular sports under it's control, the Dubs are are great copy for the media. They sell papers, so any story involving the Dubs takes a life of it's own. if the that mass brawl was Meath v Leitrim does anyone honestly believe it would have got the coverage it recieved.

The most annoying to me is why does the GAA always pander to the media whenever incidents like these happen.

Imagine if Ciaran Whelan did what McQuaid did on Sunday, I'd imagine we'd have a record 72 page thread now at this stage. The Dubs are news, good bad and ugly they sell papers.

Puckoon · May 28, 2008, 06:00:28 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQO0vFcP2PA&feature=related

Anyone remember this one doing the rounds?

How he stayed on the field is beyone me.

Tankie · May 28, 2008, 08:37:55 PM

The stuff that went on lastnight was just handbags!

Hoof Hearted · May 29, 2008, 10:26:13 AM

micheal bradley is saying today that BOD may miss the start of the down under tour because of a death of a close friend

Hound · May 29, 2008, 02:26:33 PM

Quote from: Hoof Hearted on May 29, 2008, 10:26:13 AM
micheal bradley is saying today that BOD may miss the start of the down under tour because of a death of a close friend

Very sad alright. Suicide of one of your best mates is about as tough as it gets for a single man

Hoof Hearted · May 29, 2008, 03:14:33 PM

Quote from: Hound on May 29, 2008, 02:26:33 PM
Quote from: Hoof Hearted on May 29, 2008, 10:26:13 AM
micheal bradley is saying today that BOD may miss the start of the down under tour because of a death of a close friend
Very sad alright. Suicide of one of your best mates is about as tough as it gets for a single man

didnt realise thats what it was, very sad indeed
fair play to him for taking all the time he needs, it would be tough mentally to be fit to play again, cant understand how lampard and dunlop junior managed recently before their parents were buried