Gavin Mortimer says that rugby is as bad as soccer these days and that's despite the recent ridiculous antics in the soccer World Cup. With a heavy heart, I agree.
In a recent article in The Spectator, a rugby writer Gavin Mortimer suggested that rugby no longer had the moral high ground over football. He suggested, despite some of the recent antics of certain football World Cup players, rugby was just as bad.
He was right, to a certain degree. Anyone who has played competitive rugby will know that. There’s plenty of skullduggery, violence and abuse. And, there are a number of advocates saying the game has gone soft. Even now, to prevent “cheats” from stopping the release of the ball at the tackle, there are still calls for “rucking” to be reintroduced.
Rucking is where the boot is used to drag the player off the ball. That’s right, six metal studs, on the back, arms and legs of the prone body. Woe betides a boot that goes into the face.
At least there’s an agreement that anything to the face is illegal. Yet gouging, as it’s known, still happens, and if your game isn’t filmed from multiple angles, it’s easier to get away with.
Putting the violence to one side, it’s argued that the two main points of difference between the two sports are simulation and referee abuse.
Simulation is where a player “fakes” an incident to gain an advantage for their team.
These aren’t so prevalent in rugby. It still happens. Anything which approaches a high tackle will often see the ball carrier go down like they’ve been yanked back by an invisible rope. It can buy penalties and even yellow cards.
However, there’s no doubt that most players don’t want to show any signs of pain or weakness on the pitch. We won’t see some of the pathetic rolls or cries of pain on a rugby field for some small clip of the heels.
Referee abuse is another matter. Rugby certainly falls into the passive-aggressive mold here. Players are constantly talking to the referee, disingenuously adding “sir” to their comments. Yet, a poor decision is rarely met with an in-yer-face argument. If that does happen, we all know the consequences. Penalties, marched back 10 metres, or yellow and ultimately red cards.
But it’s not the players I’m so concerned about. The sidelines abuse is appalling. To say it’s pathetic is a weak view. Frankly, it’s tantamount to the worst sort of schoolyard bullying. What can the referee do? They can’t respond. They just have to take it.
So, while rugby has some moral high ground on the pitch, I’m with Gavin overall. Let’s grow up, stop acting like spoilt kids and start living the behaviours that rugby stands for.
Dan is a practising RFU Level 3 coach and coach educator. He coaches with the Bristol Bears DPP programme, is the assistant coach with University of Bristol Women's team and is a coach mentor for Broad Plain RFC mini and juniors section.
He was Head Coach of Swansea Schools U15 and has previously held coaching roles with the Young Ospreys Academy and as Assistant Coach with the Wales Women's Team for the 2010 World Cup. He was director of rugby for Cranleigh School, Surrey. P...
Register now to get a free eBook worth £10
Get this brilliant ebook worth £10 for FREE when you register now
From our Rugby Coach Weekly archive of Touchline Tales, commenting on a game in an U15 Cup tournament. Last weekend we lost 20-22 in a cup ...
Newsletter Sign Up
Join over 75k coaches that are saving time searching for fresh coaching ideas with our free email newsletter: ✔ New drills ✔ New games ✔ New warm-ups. Delivered direct to your email inbox
"I have been coaching competitive soccer for over 20 years in Las Vegas. I feel like you are my personal club director. My players and myself have learned a lot from your sessions. The exercises from Soccer Coach Weekly are easy to understand and implement. I never run out of ideas and there is always an exercise for whatever problem we need to fix. Thank you!"
Paul Butler, Florida, USA
"First and foremost, Soccer Coach Weekly is truly unique and exceptional for its clarity and for explaining the "why?", in addition to the "how?". Soccer Coach Weekly is also professionally managed - any issues, which are infrequent, are resolved in an expedient and courteous manner. I place Soccer Coach Weekly at the top of my recommendation list for any new or seasoned coach of the beautiful game."
Rick Shields, Springboro, USA
"I coach both young club players as well as players at the High School level and both genders. The talent range is wide at times, however with the use of Soccer Coach Weekly I am able to apply the information to all talent levels and player ages and make the session fun and challenging for all players. It has helped spark me at times when I am at a loss for what to do at the next training session or offers a different approach to a current problem."
Tony Green, Pierrefonds Titans, Quebec, Canada
"My team and myself are truly enjoying the Soccer Coach Weekly downloads. Pierrefonds Titans are a great group of U16 Females who compete in the Lac St-Louis Association of Montreal, Quebec, Canada."
Subscribe Today
Since 2006, we’ve helped tens of thousands of coaches just like you build strong teams and deliver effective and inspiring training sessions, week-in, week-out.
Discover the simple way to become a more effective, more successful soccer coach. ALL the support you need to become a great Youth Soccer coach: ✓ Proven, practical coaching advice
✓ Hundreds of ready-to-use drills and full-session practice plans
In a recent survey 89% of subscribers said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them more confident, 91% said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them a more effective coach and 93% said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them more inspired.
Rugby Coach Weekly offers proven and easy to use rugby drills, coaching sessions, practice plans, small-sided games, warm-ups, training tips and advice.
We've been at the cutting edge of rugby coaching since we launched in 2005, creating resources for the grassroots youth coach, following best practice from around the world and insights from the professional game.
Part of Green Star Media Ltd. Company number: 3008779
We use cookies so we can provide you with the best online experience. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Click on the banner to find out more.