I'm not a fan of rugby...

**Dafe** · 19th June 2005, 15:27

I have no problem with people disliking the sport of rugby, but like it or lump it - New Zealand is a country of acheivers and competitors, We stand tall on many stages around the world. We have excellent recognition from the world for being the home of rugby due to our solid commitment and passion for the sport.
Our country is one which is active when it comes to the outdoors and considering the population of our small country, our achievements are phenomenal.
I'm ten weeks into my season and I've had two drinks with the boys this year. I can tell you now, Rugby isn't what makes a person destructive to somebody elses property, that part of their nature is already instilled in them.
My experiences with rugby over the 15 years I've been playing is that the aggression exsists on field but off-field it's back to normality. Thats your typical week in week out experience for a rugby player.
For all you know - It may have been a soccer player who damaged the bike - Pissed that NZ largest competed in sport sucks ofor yet another year!

**gamgee** · 19th June 2005, 15:40

soccer players don't do stupid things like that, or studying law at otago...

**Dafe** · 19th June 2005, 16:49

True, Sport these days is about balancing the physical and mental and ...... mentally intelligent side. I just don't know why we suck at soccer so bad yet we can excel so well in a game of footy.

**Zed** · 19th June 2005, 17:55

Originally Posted by Ixion

True, but is it the rugby culture that validates their attitude and actions.

Not in this case I don't think, more like the booze talking rather than this "culture" you speak of. Would they do it if they were sober? Probably not.

Originally Posted by Ixion

I actually believe that rugby should be banned.

I cannot see why people should be alowed to do on a sports field that which would send them to prison for several years off the field.

But i never understood rugby, it seems just an excuse for thuggery.

Rugby banned? Lol, obviously you've never actually played it or been a part of the "culture"? Have you Ixion?

I've grown up around the All Blacks and rugby in NZ, and also played for several years at college, and it's really not as bad a picture as you paint. Sure, there are some players who are guilty of gross misconduct from time to time (and they should be dealt with harshly) but in general it is a contact sport that many Kiwis love and enjoy participating in and spectating.

Now 'boxing' on the other hand...

**pritch** · 19th June 2005, 18:04

Originally Posted by Dafe

I just don't know why we suck at soccer so bad yet we can excel so well in a game of footy.

We haven't got big enough slums yet but successive governments are working on it. In places like Brazil's favellas (sp?) thousands of kids play soccer in the street all day and a large part of the night.

Awful conditions of course, but this "system" can produce quite a good national side.

I think I'd start to worry if we got too good at soccer... :-(

**StoneChucker** · 19th June 2005, 18:39

I just don't like rugby, or the huge emphasis placed on it. But I don't blame rugby for the damage done to the bike.

I blame the people "responsible", who clearly have no regard for people's possessions or the consequences (what fecking consequences

) of wilfull damage. It's quite likely the problem was intensified by alcohol or drugs.

There is a whole culture of kids growing up (and even some current adults) where this behaviour is funny. I honestly think that being beaten to death publicly for this destructive mentality is quite fitting. I'd watch

I can't even express the contempt I feel for these people, ruining the experience of life for others. Who gives them the right, what makes THEM so farking special. Scum

**Biff** · 19th June 2005, 19:10

Originally Posted by Ixion

I actually believe that rugby should be banned.

I cannot see why people should be alowed to do on a sports field that which would send them to prison for several years off the field.

But i never understood rugby, it seems just an excuse for thuggery.

You must be joking mate. I played for over a decade and I never undertook any actions that could be described as "thuggery". And neither do 98% of the players that play. Granted there are one or two thugs, but to ban a game played by hundreds of thousands of people around the world because a handful of the players resort to, what you describe as, thuggery - no, no ,no.

Some of the best years of my life revolved around rugby. Rugby kept me fit, taught me all kinds of physical and mental control, it taught me the importance of working as a team, supporting your fellow humans etc etc.

**2_SL0** · 19th June 2005, 19:24

Sorry to hear about the bike. I dont think Rugby is to blame. (Cant stand the game myself) Its the quality of the person watching the game. Slowly NZ is slipping down a nasty destructive slope. Moku is correct with regards to how society is in Uk. I feel we are heading in that direction. We may be a few years behind the Brits, but I think the end result will be the same if we dont make some serious changes to society.

**Big Dave** · 19th June 2005, 19:35

Originally Posted by Biff

Some of the best years of my life revolved around rugby. Rugby kept me fit, taught me all kinds of physical and mental control, it taught me the importance of working as a team, supporting your fellow humans etc etc.

showering with other men......

I'm indifferent to rugby, having been brought up on league it's hard to watch union.
The concept of advantage from regularly putting the ball out of play is frustrating.

A wing three quarter in full flight is a beautiful sight, true, but I go and talk to the chics when the AB's test is on if we are out somewhere. usually have them all to myself too.

Basketball is life.

**John** · 19th June 2005, 19:43

Originally Posted by WINJA

SAD HOPE THE BIKE IS NOT TOO DAMAGED

Fuck pitty from winja you hit the jackpot - sorry about your bike its sad how pathetic some poeple really are.

**Wolf** · 19th June 2005, 22:53

Originally Posted by Zed

Sure, there are some players who are guilty of gross misconduct from time to time (and they should be dealt with harshly)

But they aren't.

They get "sin binned" for a few games/weeks/months and get all cry-baby about it - when they should be falling to their knees giving thanks that they managed to break the law without the usual consequences - such as jail time.

Honestly, the "Great All Blacks" and most the others I've seen in recent years are a pack of thugs with no concept of sportsmanship - whatever happened to "no tackling above the waist"? Now the neck seems to be the only target. And of course, if they can lay in a boot, get in a fist (or elbow or fingernails or teeth) every now and then, all the better, eh? I mean - those other fuckers might beat 'em if they're still intact, best to make it "fair" by maiming a couple.

And Zed - punching is allowed in boxing - it's not allowed in rugby.

In theory anyway - it seems to be only a minor infringement these days, you've now got to blind the fucker and rip out a lung before you get sin binned...

**gav** · 19th June 2005, 22:56

Originally Posted by Biff

You must be joking mate. I played for over a decade and I never undertook any actions that could be described as "thuggery". And neither do 98% of the players that play. Granted there are one or two thugs, but to ban a game played by hundreds of thousands of people around the world because a handful of the players resort to, what you describe as, thuggery - no, no ,no.

Some of the best years of my life revolved around rugby. Rugby kept me fit, taught me all kinds of physical and mental control, it taught me the importance of working as a team, supporting your fellow humans etc etc.

Taught you about winning, no, hang on, your Welsh arent you, never mind....

Oh you soccer fans (both of you) might like this......
http://x6.putfile.com/videos/c7-16303132512.wmv

**WINJA** · 19th June 2005, 22:59

WHAT ABOUT THOSE 3 RUGBY PLAYERS KICKING THAT GIRL TO MAKE HER MISCARRY HER BABY THEN BEING ALLOWED TO CONTINUE PLAYING , SMART MANAGERS WOULD HAVE DISTANCED THEMSELVES FROM THOSE FUCKERS NOT SUPPORT THEM