• Welcome to the forums of Green & Gold Rugby.
    We have recently made some changes to the amount of discussions boards on the forum.
    Over the coming months we will continue to make more changes to make the forum more user friendly for all to use.
    Thanks, Admin.

Rugby spirit

Status
Not open for further replies.
waratahjesus

waratahjesus

Greg Davis (50)
As I watch my second team, Canada, play out of there skins, chat to people who normally don't follow rugby about a game between Russia and the USA or generally just enjoy the excitement of the world cup, I'm drawn to the fact that every time something like the NZ fan abuse comes up, people use the term "Rugby Spirit", was just wondering what this term means to everyone, what it should mean and things you do to preserve or spread the word of it.
 
Swarley

Swarley

Bob Loudon (25)
http://www.espn.co.uk/espn/sport/story/18891.html
Great acts of sportsmanship
Rob Phillips-Knight
April 23, 2010

6063.2.jpg

Tana Umaga and Colin Charvis
Sportsmanship and the name Tana Umaga may not be synonymous in the minds of most British rugby fans following his infamous spear tackle on Brian O'Driscoll in 2005. However, during New Zealand's 2003 Test match with Wales the powerful centre performed the most noble of acts. With Wales in possession deep in their opponents' 22, captain Colin Charvis made a dart for the try-line only to see his run ended forcefully by All Blacks back row Jerry Collins. The Welshman was knocked out cold from the impact and, as the home side swept forward on a counter-attack, lay lifeless on the Hamilton turf. Umaga, recognising the seriousness of his opponent's state, left his place in an attacking move and ran to the aid of the stricken Charvis, removing his gum-shield before placing him in the recovery position. Umaga received the Pierre de Coubertin medal - becoming the first New Zealander to win the award. The Welsh Rugby Union also presented him with a figurine to honour his display of sportsmanship.
Click to expand...

To me, that exemplifies the spirit of Rugby. To drop focus out of the game and help out an opposition player without even the slightest hesitation is what it's all about. It's just a game, in the end.
 
yourmatesam

yourmatesam

Desmond Connor (43)
Swarley said:
To me, that exemplifies the spirit of Rugby. To drop focus out of the game and help out an opposition player without even the slightest hesitation is what it's all about. It's just a game, in the end.
Click to expand...

It's hard to go past Umaga for his on-field effort, but there is also the camaraderie of beers after the game, the pride of playing with your team mates and having had a great time on and off the field.

There are plenty of examples of rugby spirit, everyone's will be a bit different.
 
cyclopath

cyclopath

George Smith (75)
Staff member
I think Kees Meeuws acted nobly when Ben Darwin (??) was badly hurt in RWC 2003 semi-final. He either bailed out of the shove in the scrum, or called attention to the problem. Can't remember the exact details, but something like that. Someone else might know?
 
Hugh Jarse

Hugh Jarse

Rocky Elsom (76)
It was during the Wallabies' World Cup semi-final win against the All Blacks that Darwin sustained a neck injury that forced him to retire from rugby. - Thanks to wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Darwin

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/11/22/1069027376710.html
Tough guy Meeuws has soft centre
By Danny Weidler
November 23, 2003


All Black tough guy Kees Meeuws hopes to become "friends for life" with injured Wallaby prop Ben Darwin, the man he saved by pulling back as the scrum collapsed.

Meeuws, who has been in touch with Darwin this week, says he wants something good to come out of Darwin's serious neck injury, which nearly put the Australian in a wheelchair permanently. The man known as "Bad News Meeuws" because of the punishment he delivers other players said there was a time for aggression and a time for compassion in rugby.

"I hope that something good can come out of something as bad as this and that we can sit down and have a beer one day and talk about it and other things," said Meeuws. "If we become friends for life, that would be fine by me."

Meeuws stopped pushing after hearing Darwin scream, "neck, neck, neck".

"I wanted to get in touch with Ben to see how it was but I didn't want to make a big deal of it," said Meeuws.

"His number was passed on to me from (Wallabies captain) George Gregan via Justin Marshall. That was always going to be the quickest way for me to get in touch with him.

"I had a little chat with him and it was good to do so. You hate to see anyone injured when you play, even though you play hard.

"Rugby is a hard and aggressive game but it's not a vicious game and I play it hard but I'm not stupid or vicious. There's a time and a place for aggression and a time for compassion."

Meeuws revealed what the two prop forwards talked about.

"Basically, Ben thanked me for what I did and I told him it wasn't a problem and I'd do it again," he said.

"I said to him if you don't play again, you should at least be thankful for having a normal life and being up and walking again. He agreed totally and was saying similar things.

"We agreed that he shouldn't be worrying about rugby and instead should be worrying about being healthy again."

Meeuws's compassion has revealed another side to him, given his reputation as a hard man.

"I must be a softie underneath," he said.

"But don't go telling too many people."
Click to expand...
 
DPK

DPK

Peter Sullivan (51)
Scarfman said:
I reckon the spirit of rugby is that the players get along after the game, and the fans get along after the game.
Click to expand...

Not even after the game, players who get along when the ball is dead. Guys who are just happy to play the game.

I think it's an extension of sportsmanship and camaraderie.
 
Ruggo

Ruggo

Mark Ella (57)
First and foremost, what happens on the field stays on the field. The handshake before kickoff, The tunnell and the three cheers for the game which should always include one for the ref. That is what it means to me.

At the higher level the two incidents that warm my heart the most is the Julian Huxly incident vs the Reds. Chris Latham's response especially. The other is the Shaun McKay tradgady and how the Rugby world rallied around the Brumbies and how the Brumbies rallied around themselves.

The world can be a misserable place with all the pain and suffering in it but rugby has always been the place that can restore a little faith in humanity.

Great thread WJ. :thumb
 
Dan54

Dan54

David Wilson (68)
EVERYFWDTHINKTHEYREA6OR7 said:
Let's be honest, these degenerates in NZ who are marring the WC with bad behaivour probably never played the game properly anyway.
Click to expand...


Even some Australian fans, or Kiwis dressed as such, hurled abuse from the stands.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/a...uting-match-20110923-1kpnu.html#ixzz1YpqQQl90

They are ruining it even more, according to SMH. I love it and some halfwits believe all this crap.

Actually Ruggo I go along with your spirit of rugby except for onr thing, I never shook hands BEFORE a game, always believe in doing it after game.
 
Jnor

Jnor

Peter Fenwicke (45)
Doesn't happen in senior games that I've played in but all through juniors we used to line up on half way before kick off facing the other team and you shook hands with the couple of bloked opposite you.

I always assumed that was what averyone did.
 
Dan54

Dan54

David Wilson (68)
Jnor said:
Doesn't happen in senior games that I've played in but all through juniors we used to line up on half way before kick off facing the other team and you shook hands with the couple of bloked opposite you.

I always assumed that was what averyone did.
Click to expand...

Only in lower games Jnor, though my club did it here when I first came, I was coaching and suggested leave it to after game.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top