Reply to: Was Brian Ashton right about Danny Cipriani?

[snaw]

It is the ultimate team game, and it should be played by every state school. It teaches team work at the same time as it encourages individualism (Danny has taken that bit too far). It teaches self control in a competitive physical and intense environment, it teaches communication skills and respect for authority and it gives boys in particular a confidence and level of self esteem that goes beyond the pitch or training field. Whilst it is not for every boy, it accommodates all boys of all shapes and sizes. I challenge you to watch next Thursdays "rugby club" on Sky TV; the bit with Austin Healey teaching Liverpool chavvy unemployeds how to play the game.
It also knocks out arrogance, big heads are humiliated and rugby is not an environment for people who take themselves too seriously. Unless you are an All Black of course, but look what happened to them

Show me a former or current rugby player and I will show you a confident communicator.

Wow, very taking it's self seriously post for a doesn't take itself seriously game.

Maybe we should try to introduce it to the middle east, sounds like it has the answer for everything.

[bogeyman]

apes

Joke      -> *

You       -> o
            /|\
            /*\

[BrilloPad]

potatoes

Apes have brains

but the arm length is the same - dont his knuckles rub on the ground?

[DodgyAgent]

apes

potatoes

Apes have brains

[BrilloPad]

Rooney exemplifies why genetic experiments involving humans and potatoes are a very, very bad idea.

apes

[bogeyman]

There is no way on this earth ever ever that Wayne Rooney could look normal!!!

Rooney exemplifies why genetic experiments involving humans and potatoes are a very, very bad idea.

[DodgyAgent]

I agree about taking the match seriously, any player would and should, but dropping tickets off, not drinking and only being 15 minutes. Overboard I think by Brian

Had it been one of the established players then fine, but this was the new kid on the block.

[Solent]

The message it sends is that England take their match against Scotland very seriously indeed. A lot of this is about perception and at least Cipriani knows the rules as do the others. I think the new England football manager is intending to do the same.. and good on him

I agree about taking the match seriously, any player would and should, but dropping tickets off, not drinking and only being 15 minutes. Overboard I think by Brian

[DodgyAgent]

Not in the North West it hasn't, clubs that previously had 5 and 6 teams are now struggling to turn out a single team. This is in what was previously a very strong rugby area because it was played in state schools. I think a few clubs have bucked the trend with mini rugby but not many.

I suppose Orrell is one example of a declining club. Not many aussies go there do they?

[DodgyAgent]

Not sure what message that sends out to everyone, play by fear for an over zealous management, who I’m sure never transgressed !!

Even Clive Woodward never minded the boys enjoying themselves... as long as they did not go overboard. Selection should be on the basis of the performance on the training pitch and their fitness there and then and not based on their personal lives.

But we all have our own views

The message it sends is that England take their match against Scotland very seriously indeed. A lot of this is about perception and at least Cipriani knows the rules as do the others. I think the new England football manager is intending to do the same.. and good on him.

[rootsnall]

Indeed fewer schools may be playing it, but the sheer size of boys playing mini rugby with clubs has increased enormously.

Not in the North West it hasn't, clubs that previously had 5 and 6 teams are now struggling to turn out a single team. This is in what was previously a very strong rugby area because it was played in state schools. I think a few clubs have bucked the trend with mini rugby but not many.

[oracleslave]

The Cipriani (non) incident, the constant arguing about money between the RFU and the clubs, the emergence of barry big time coaches playing at politics and moaning about refs and the oppostion rather than getting on with playing rugby, ........

Those type of things occur in all professional sports imo. Rugby is no exception

[rootsnall]

It has become professional and taken aspects of the game (fitness discipline, refereeing, health of players..player falls down he is now surrounded instantly by medics) more seriously but I see no signs that it takes itself too seriously.

The Cipriani (non) incident, the constant arguing about money between the RFU and the clubs, the emergence of barry big time coaches playing at politics and moaning about refs and the oppostion rather than getting on with playing rugby, ........

[Solent]

Not sure what message that sends out to everyone, play by fear for an over zealous management, who I’m sure never transgressed !!

Even Clive Woodward never minded the boys enjoying themselves... as long as they did not go overboard. Selection should be on the basis of the performance on the training pitch and their fitness there and then and not based on their personal lives.

But we all have our own views

[tay]

apologies Tay, the temptation was just irresistable. Cheap shot I know

B'stard! But quite well done ...*grumble*.. *grumble*