Apparently there is no freedom of speech in rugby.

Published under International on the 08 Jul 2009 by Dooley

PDV making a stand against injustice

The IRB, this week has shown yet again how they wrap their own in wool, protecting them against any kind of criticism. They are trying to charge the Springboks and management with “misconduct” for wearing armbands saying, “Justice 4 all”, on the weekend.

They claim this showed a clear disregard for the disciplinary process, and has the potential to bring the game into disrepute.

If anything, their actions, or lack thereof bring the game into disrespute. How will things ever improve if no one takes a stand. The IRB are not some kind of supreme entity, as they seem lately to think they are. There are alot of improvements that need to be made, from the quality of their referees, to the joke that is currently their judicial process. If they don’t want anyone to express their unhapiness with the current quality of the IRB processes, then they need to make these improvements, and make them quickly. What ever happened to that little right we have called, “freedom of speech“, look it up.

I hope more rugby players take a stand for what they feel is right, as the Wallabies are also currently doing with regards to the sacking, without any clear reasons, of winger, Lote Tuqiri.

How do you feel about rugby players making a stand?

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Dooley

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Mike_in _NZ

Im with you. They are just excercising thier right to “freedom of speech”. Who says that the Springboks must sit back and just accept it. The IRB are there to look after the interests of rugby and its growth in the world. Not to put a strangle hold on Unions and run some sort of Dictatorship. I am growing tolike PDV, at least he isnt being a puppet like everyone thought he would be.
http://www.blogspotrugby.com Dooley

@ Mike_in_NZ, you hit the nail on the head here mate. I hope the get off there pedistal soon and sort these things out. In the meantime I hope players and teams alike continue to stand up for themselves. Thanks for the support. Chat soon
http://www.blogspotrugby.com Adrian

@Mike_in _NZ: “I am growing to like PDV” you say – How quickly is that I ask…

I agree with taking a stand, and speaking against the higher powers that be can be done in a mocking and over the top way, or with dignity and tact which I feel wearing the arm bands accomplished and seems to have created some noise.

Will have to wait and see what develops further.

Thanks mate.
http://www.pakiscorner.com Pakis Corner

Firstly, great website, I found it this week!

I have to disagree though with the “freedom of speech”. There are certain rules in place for various reasons, and one can not display their personal views on a platform like international rugby which is broadcast to the viewing world.

When I played on the IRB World Sevens Series you would get fined if you ran onto the field with your socks down! And there were plenty of other fines for sponsor logos that weren’t the correct sizing etc etc.
If some of these rules weren’t in place it would be a circus out there. Heck I could even have advertising PakisCorner on the playing field!
http://www.blogspotrugby.com Dooley

@Pakis Corner, thanks for the comment mate. I hope you continue to enjoy the site. I agree with you that there is a right and wrong way to do everything, but there is also a time to make a stand against something that is so clearly disfunctional.

If it were just one or a few players, I would understand, but the whole team made a stand together, for good reason, so things can finally improve. There are only so many times one can write a complaint, in a report, that keeps falling on deaf ears, before something else needs to be done. I for one support the arm band protest.

What other action would you suggest mate?
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http://www.pakiscorner.com Pakis Corner

@Dooley, sorry it’s taken me so long to come back and comment! It’s been a very exiting Tri Nations, and brilliant rugby from the Boks to take the title!

Thinking about what you wrote, I do agree that there are very limited ways in which the team can make a stand. So yes, it was probably a good thing, and achieved a lot more than other avenues.

Cheers my man!