Sorry to sound like a "Boring Old Fart" but I hope the issue of red and yellow cards will not be an event, between these two great Rugby Schools. Rugby is losing too many players to soccer for a whole host of reasons. A bad sporting imagine of thuggery, will only intensify these losses to the round ball game. Rugby, needs to be promoted as the game of the Universities, Our Defence Forces and above all the " Top End Of Town Game" ( Quote From John O'Neil when here was head of the ARU) regarding our business elites.
What separates us from soccer,or at least the Western Sydney Wanders, and Rugby league is the perception, that our game is the preserve of the gentrified Professional Middle Class.
Of course reality is sometimes very different, but at least we can hope that our imagine although appearing to be elitist, will continue to have an appeal as a Gentleman's Game. Nevertheless,I should also stress that our game is open to all who wish to play it and value its old world appeal.
Bogans are welcome to disagree
Oh dear ..... the class distinctions ... isn't that considered to be politically incorrect these days old boy? Although political correctness is being flogged to death these days, I admit.
I was nearly too frightened to reply for fear of being labelled a bogan, but here goes anyway. No doubt the last line was written with your tongue firmly planted in cheek ... nice one. Amusing.
If I recall correctly, in this game last season the referee lost control of the game and issued far too many cards. Red cards are one thing but yellow cards can be issued because a referee hasn't taken control well enough. To assume the issuing of cards is because of ''thuggery'' is making an assumption, especially with schoolboy rugby.
One of the appealing aspects of schoolboy rugby is that it can be so raw and honest and players can get a rush of blood.. it happens because they are schoolboys. Straight out "thuggery" is a different kettle of fish, especially these days.
And when you compare what you consider to be outside the parameters of the "Top end of Town'', that is, soccer and the Wanderers and rugby league in general are you talking about crowd behaviour or player mentality?
As you so graciously concede, that Rugby is open to all who wish to participate in the Gentleman's Game, have you not considered the tough men who have played the game in the past? Those who belonged to the ''Top end of Town'' but still were issued cards in the heat of the battle competing for their Countries and States and Clubs in a contact sport. Was that ''thuggery''? and did the leather patch brigade tut tut it? or applaud it?