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Extra.ie
03-06-2025
- Politics
- Extra.ie
Reaction of Munster ‘fans' to Sharks win has been shameful
Three days on, and the stink from Munster's URC quarter-final loss to Sharks in Durban lingers in the air. You sense the team has moved past it (the holidays are underway now and when you do not have to think about work, you tend not to) but the Munster 'supporters' incensed by what happened in the penalty shootout last Saturday are refusing to let it go. Today's top videos STORY CONTINUES BELOW Once again, our old friend social media is playing a central role, amplifying the toxicity in the race to be most outraged and it is doing Munster, their supporters and Irish rugby as a whole, no favours. Munster players look on during the kick-off. Pic: Shaun Roy/Sportsfile There is no doubt the carry-on by the Sharks during the penalty shootout was not in keeping with what the more pompous guardians of the game like to call 'rugby values'. There was trash-talking by Sharks players and backroom staff, to go with torrents of abuse from the home supporters. Then there was the whole Jaden Hendrikse 'cramp' incident delaying Jack Crowley's second kick, followed by the second most analysed wink in rugby history (the 'Bloodgate' wink in 2009 still tops the charts). Jaden Hendrikse. Pic: INPHO/Steve Haag Sports/Darren Stewart None of that is a great surprise for anyone who has experienced South African rugby up close – verbal intimidation and antics are part of the rugby culture (ask any Lions tourist) and winning is all that matters. It does not make it right, it is just the way it is. The Munster players and management understand how it works and to their credit there has been no moaning or 'poor us' stuff in the aftermath – the game is gone, the season is over and bleating is never a good look. Indeed, the likes of Crowley and Rory Scannell have come out of it extremely well. Jaden Hendrikse and Jack Crowley. Pic: INPHO/Steve Haag Sports/Darren Stewart Crowley, in particular, looks to have flourished since the disappointment of being overlooked for Sam Prendergast during the Six Nations. He is now the face of Munster rugby, especially after the departures of Conor Murray and Peter O'Mahony and with Tadhg Beirne entering his mid-30s, and has become a forceful, commanding presence in the spirit of his most storied predecessor, Ronan O'Gara. Watching him vent at the Sharks during the shootout last Saturday showed a player who was not prepared to roll over or back down when targeted and it called to mind images of O'Gara jabbing the finger at his attacker Duncan McRae during the 2001 Lions tour to Australia. But the Munster organisation as a whole will not be impressed by how others have reacted to the antics of the Sharks and, specifically, their scrum-half Jaden Henderikse. It has been shameful, embarrassing stuff. The Sharks celebrate their victory. Pic: INPHO/Steve Haag Sports/Steve Haag You cannot tar the whole Munster support base for the actions of a section of idiots – and they may not even all be Munster fans – but the extent of the abuse unleashed online since Saturday has crossed the line, even by the cesspit standards of modern social media. The Rugby Pod is the most popular rugby podcast in the world, numbering listeners in their millions and they felt obliged to open yesterday's episode with the topic, given the levels of toxicity they had experienced. The presenters Jim Hamilton and Andy Goode threw a spotlight on the online reaction they had seen from Munster 'fans' and how it had included racist abuse of Hendrikse as well as wishes for him to come to physical harm. They were at pains to point out that it did not reflect the organisation as a whole or their collective supporters but they did emphasise how shocked they were at the extent of the abuse. Being labelled bad losers is one thing but for millions of listeners to hear the Munster brand being associated with racism is incredibly damaging. The clowns that go online to peddle this muck, supposedly in solidarity with their team, are doing the Munster cause huge damage and exposing their own ignorance and hypocrisy in the process. Many of these 'supporters' arrived into the game on the wave of rugby becoming trendy over the past two decades and do not know their Irish rugby history. For example, you suspect the majority of these twitter heroes may not know about Munster's defeat of Australia at Musgrave Park in 1992. That Wallabies side were the reigning world champions and were expected to steamroll the group of red-jerseyed amateurs thrown together at short notice in Cork. The Munster team which beat Australia in 1992. Pic: INPHO/Billy Stickland Instead Munster, superbly led by hooker Terry Kingston, employed every trick in the book, legal and otherwise, to throw the Aussies off their game and secure a historic victory via a late Jim Galvin drop goal. The Australians were incensed afterwards – legendary coach Bob Dwyer unleashed a tirade against the home side who he labelled 'a disgrace' but the win was in the books, history had been made and the humbled world champions simply came across as sore losers. Fast forward eight years to Munster's epic European Cup semi-final win over Toulouse. It was a sweltering day in Bordeaux and Declan Kidney's side employed repeated Hendrikse-style delaying tactics to allow them to regather their focus and kill Toulouse momentum. Munster won the day with French outrage making the victory all the sweeter. Munster captain Paul O'Connell and team-mate Ronan O'Gara lift the Heineken Cup in 2008 after they tormented Toulouse in the final. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile It was a similar story eight years later against the same opposition in the European final as Munster tormented Toulouse at every opportunity on the way to their second title. That was their last European success and the reality is, when Munster were at their best, they had a reputation for playing on the edge and doing what was needed for victory. What the Sharks did was unsavoury and cynical and all the rest but, Munster have had their moments themselves over the years and there is a lot worse going on in the world than a few words and a wink in pursuit of victory. Those Munster 'supporters' who have used this as a springboard for vicious online abuse have no excuse. They are truly pitiful.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Bordeaux's Poirot gets two-week ban after Northampton clash
Bordeaux-Begles prop Jefferson Poirot has been given a two-week ban for an altercation with Northampton's Henry Pollock after the Champions Cup final. Poirot was cited for grabbing the throat of the England and Lions flanker as tempers boiled over after the final whistle had blown to confirm his side's 28-20 win at Cardiff's Principality Stadium. Poirot will miss the final two games of Bordeaux's regular season. Tournament organiser European Professional Club Rugby said Poirot "accepted that he had committed an act of foul play that warranted a red card". A statement added: "The independent disciplinary committee upheld the complaint and it determined that the offending was at the low-end of World Rugby's sanctions and four weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point. "Taking into account the player's guilty plea, his good disciplinary record and his full co-operation with the disciplinary process, the committee decided to reduce the sanction by the maximum of 50 per cent before imposing a two-week suspension." Listen: Sport's Strangest Crimes - Bloodgate Listen to the latest Rugby Union Weekly podcast
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bordeaux's Poirot cited after Pollock incident
Bordeaux-Begles prop Jefferson Poirot has been cited for allegedly grabbing Northampton's Henry Pollock by the throat following Saturday's Champions Cup final in Cardiff. Former France captain Poirot, 32, was seen in an altercation with the England flanker shortly after the full-time whistle was blown on Bordeaux's 28-20 victory. Tournament organisers European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR), confirmed that Poirot had been charged by citing commissioner Tim Lowry, with "committing an act contrary to good sportsmanship in contravention of law 9.27". In a statement the EPCR said Poirot's alleged act was, "dangerous and had the potential to cause serious harm." Poirot will attend a disciplinary hearing by video conference on Thursday and faces a ban if found guilty. Northampton rugby director Phil Dowson had described the incident as "uncalled for and out of order" and said that there had been foul play involved. Speaking after the game, Northampton and England fly-half Fin Smith also said: "They were after him (Pollock). I don't think they liked him. "I remember they (Bordeaux players) all sort of charged at him and were trying to get hold of him. "I am surprised if you have just won a European Cup, the first thing you want to do is start a fight with a 20-year-old. I felt that was interesting." Listen: Sport's Strangest Crimes - Bloodgate Listen to the latest Rugby Union Weekly podcast
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Worcester legend Kvesic first signing of rebuild
Worcester Warriors have made club legend Matt Kvesic the first signing of their new era as they prepare for a return to professional rugby in the Championship next season. The 33-year-old played for Warriors for four years between 2009-13 before stints with Gloucester and Exeter Chiefs. He returned to the club in 2020 and made more than 100 appearances before they went into administration. Kvesic, who has four England caps, said he was delighted to be rejoining Warriors for the club's rebuild, calling the decision a "no-brainer". "I'm exceptionally excited to be back at a club which means so much to me, the place that gave me an opportunity as a 16 or 17-year-old," he told the club website. Returning Worcester appoint Everard as head coach Worcester Warriors set for Championship return The Warriors have been granted permission to rejoin the professional ranks in the second tier after new owners took control of the club last year following their suspension in September 2022 over funding issues that led to administration. And now 24 hours after naming Matt Everard as their new head coach in the expanded 14-team Championship next season, the club announced Kvesic as their their first signing. "It was a no-brainer to be part of what [the club] are building and I am here to support them on and off the field. I know there's a huge desire for professional rugby to be back in the city," Kvesic said. "I want to be a part of their journey back to top flight rugby, albeit slightly older and hopefully wiser." Worcester said Kvesic would be the first of "several major player signings" as part of the club's new chapter. Everard said he was "delighted" with the capture of Kvesic. ''Matt is a massive part of Worcester Warriors, and Worcester Warriors is a massive part of Matt. He is someone who knows and cares about the club, the city, and the fans. "But not only that, he is a top-quality player who has been in environments that have won big competitions and big games. He knows what it takes to win," he added. After leaving Worcester in 2022 Kvesic signed for Italian club Zebre and played there for one season, followed by two seasons with Coventry in the Championship. Listen: Sport's Strangest Crimes - Bloodgate Listen to the latest Rugby Union Weekly podcast
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wallaby Suaalii in race to face Lions with broken jaw
Australia's code-crossing star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is to have surgery to fix a fractured jaw, putting the 21-year-old under pressure to be fit for the British and Irish Lions tour. Suaalii was concussed in a collision with Waratah's team-mate Andrew Kellaway during their defeat by Queensland Reds on Friday. It was then found that he had a "small, undisplaced fracture" which needed an operation. Suaalii is likely to be sidelined for at least four weeks. "This is unfortunate for us and especially for Joseph. We wish him all the best in his recovery and return to full health," Waratahs coach Dan McKellar said. "We will do all we can to facilitate his recovery in consultation with Rugby Australia to have him in the best shape possible for his availability for the Wallabies." The Waratahs' Super Rugby campaign is set to end during Suaalii's absence with only three rounds of the regular season remaining and play-off qualification only a distant possibility. The utility back, who made his debut in professional rugby union in Australia's win over England in November, could potentially make a return to action in the Wallabies' warm-up Test against Fiji on 6 July, or the Waratahs' own match against the Lions the day before. The three-Test series between the Lions and Australia begins in Brisbane on 19 July. Suaalii was signed from rugby league's Sydney Roosters last year in a three-year deal worth a reported 5.35m Australian dollars (£2.6m). While he has continued to impress in his appearances in union, his progress has been checked by injuries, with a toe complaint causing him to miss four Super Rugby matches Australia coach Joe Schmidt also has injury concerns over first-choice fly-half Noah Lolesio, who suffered a back injury last weekend and is a doubt for the tourists' visit. Listen: Sport's Strangest Crimes - Bloodgate Listen to the latest Rugby Union Weekly podcast
