So, sat down to watch the Bath v Harlequins yesterday, good game and some fine play but ohhhhh.. in the name of GOD and the Wee Man what are they doing to our game?! It is not soccer, or even worse American Football. But some feckin' puffed up, overly preened media-marketing-guru has thought it a good idea to justify the extortionate ticket prices we have these days with US style pre-match razzamatazz, and sold the whole idea to the dimwits that run the game. All I can say to that is a loud, resounding "NO!" . We don't need it, we don't want it and it does not fit the sports image, or our national character. It detracts from the spectacle of our fine game and frankly its just an obvious sell out to corporate interest; we must guard against these fucking money men ruining our sport as they have done with soccer and formula one and numerous other sports, lets hope we are not too late. So, Cue kick-off. For the first fifteen minutes of the game the action was obscured by smoke, yes fuckin' SMOKE, from all the pyrotechnics prior to kick off; it looked like they were playing in heavy fog, or a war zone! Now lets address these massive, intrusive on pitch sponsors adverts painted everywhere. Comeontaefuck! I noticed several times during the game that players seem to just disappear when play lands on them, it's just not on. And don't get me started on the electronic TV add boards with their HD, high intensity, day glow adverts racing round the touch line and being nothing but a MASSIVE distraction that comes close to initiating a fuckin' seizure! And finally, on the Laws themselves...They really, really need to get to grips with this third match official, prolonged post try TV reviews, endless examination and second guessing of the Refs decisions and general stalling of the flow of the game; they are destroying its fluid nature and if we are not careful it will be as long, slow and as boring as American Football. If it's not seen by 3 highly experienced referees on the pitch then it didn't happen! They're word is Law, we don't need a distant individual unconnected to the game blessed with perfect hindsight after the fact undermining them. I mean Jeezo, who'd want to be a match Ref these days when your every decision is dissected to the N'th degree? Not me.
Happens as soon as they think they can make money from it. How can we add ‘value’ so they can charge more. The fact that 99.9% of people don’t want seems to matter not one iota. If a sport can’t survive on its merits alone then Itks not worth pissing about with anyway. Sadly this Yank way of making a ‘spectacle’ seems popular at the moment with those making the decisions.
I feel your pain. I don’t follow rugby, but cricket is going/has gone the same way. One of the new formats, The Hundred, looks like something from Idiocracy (see pic below) and even English Test cricket has been polluted by the same sort of ADHD mentality that has the team trying to win every match on day 1 by smashing every ball to all corners of the ground. This not only results in endless stupid dismissals of batsmen slashing or even just prodding at deliveries outside off stump that they should be leaving, it also takes away the whole point of a Test Match, ie: the strategic subtlety, the guile, the obdurate attritional nature of some phases of play where a batsman has apparently taken root. England have just been monumentally embarrassed by a less than full strength Aussie side who have exposed those tactics and delivered 3 absolute drubbings in a row, so maybe that will change. The impact of modernity has also denuded the game of and denied recent generations the wonderful moral philosophy of the sport - due to DRS (Decision Review System) video/AI assisted reviews, not only has killed the honesty-box-esque idea of a batsman “walking” when he knows he is out but the decision is a marginal one where the umpire might give him the benefit of the doubt, the latest Ashes Test in Australia has even seen players taking advantage of glitches in the technology when it has clearly come to the wrong decision. That kind of gamesmanship which used to be the preserve of the slimy divers and fakers who played football, has not just infected international cricket, but because that’s all youngsters have ever seen going on at the highest level, it has infected club and league cricket too. Even some village level games on which absolutely nothing rides, see 17 year old kids arguing the toss with 70 year old umpires. I remember when I was 17 and playing age group cricket for my town team, I got bollocked and dropped by our coach (a former Test player) because I shouted “gotcha!” rather than “howzat” when I bowled the opposition’s gun batsman. He probably would have given me a good hiding if I’d had the temerity to lose my rag with an umpire. Harrumph. I feel a letter to the editor of The Telegraph might be in order
Hear ya. But so called "shithousing" is as endemic to Australia as thongs and beer (or racism and inferiority complexes). It is also the usual insidious US American influence, I saw it 30 years ago when I lived there, they look East to America, Old Blighty and the Commonwealth comes a very distant fourth after Europe and China. The win-at-all-cost mentality, bend the rules to breaking point, usurp officials, argue the call, it's all about me, that's not fair, may as well chance it as there's no sanction etc They are now more "Americanised" than the yanks! There is no honour in sports anymore because, as usual, every decision and every defeat costs somebody a great deal of money at all levels, from the player to the club and onto the owners. That consideration backs right back up the line and appears to take primacy in action and deed; which lets face it is the very definition of 'corruption'. I agree with you on the cricket Komrad, all bright colours, wild swings, breathless commentary and spasm inducing jump cuts by the directors; and I'm not even a fan! I did play it for years right enough when I was a lad at skool. Left handed speed bowler, round the wicket, 2m inswing. LETHAL! Still got my hat trick match balls... But I get your point. Aussies, and to a degree the Kiwis are compelled to push the boundaries as they define national standing by achievement in Sports as they really don't contribute much else to the World, life in general or history. That's why they are insufferable when they win and proper butt hurt and whiney when they lose; it means that much to them. I mean have you ever had to deal with An Aussie when they have beaten you at anything, they gloat. When they lose the blame everything and everybody except themselves. Kiwis? Have you seen the reaction when the All Blacks lose? It's tantamount to a fucking National tragedy complete with chest thumping, soul searching and questions in the house! At least they are magnanimous in victory as they know they are the best. credit where it's due and all that. Mix that attitude with money, network power and even more money and it's easy to see why it corrupts all sports nowadays. I mean just look at Darts! All the networks, press and providers have razzamatazzed it to the hilt and are trying to sell it as family entertainment, when in reality its just a pub game played by pissed up blokes (and watched by same) and is as about as interesting to watch as my in-growing toe nail. I despair. And I can't even go out on my Rally as she's sorn'ed! Bah Humbug.
I blame the advent of the colour tv, things were better in the old days being viewed in black while and shades of grey
I was with you up to the 4th official. That, I think, is a good thing and has been around for many years now. The 4th official is also a qualified ref and they are at the game so not like football VAR crud. They review things as it happens and the ref can continue with the game in the meantime. The trouble is that nowadays most premium games are televised and as such will inevitably lead to people to question the refs decision so if it is only left to the 3 experienced officials on the pitch then their competency will be called into question if they didn't catch something, so better to have the 4th official if only to cover their backs.
I don’t know any Aussies but we have two saffas and two kiwis in my cricket club and they’re sound. There’s obviously plenty of sport related banter between the colonials and the stout yeomen of Old Albion, but it’s all good natured.
Is this the same rugby that has clubs owned by the likes of red bull (to save their financial skins)? if so I fear you may be a little too late with this rant.
Yes, Quinns looked punch drunk at half time. There was some good play from the opposition though and a few flashes here and there. I would have given my right bollock to be a fly on the wall in their dressing room at half time right enough!
I'm especially pleased that you pointed that "ERROR" out. If you are going to rant in such a manner, then you do need to get you most basic of facts correct. As for the rest of it, well.........
Was a twenty year debenture holder at Twickers, helping to fund the new stadium. Got fed up when the national team performance headed in the opposite direction to the ticket prices and they thought the deb holders wouldn’t object if they sold our seats to the IRC for the world cup. Tried F1 as well till it went stupid. Now I am on non-Silverstone MotoGP.
