Irish pre match "ritual" slammed by Gareth Thomas

Kermit.de.frog

http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/rugby/gareth-thomas-fg-crazy-pre-match-rituals-in-dublin-664028.html

I would tend to agree. It is a little ridiculous the length of time it takes to get the game under way not to mention the cringe inducing Ireland's Call which in my honest opinion, far from upsetting the visitors, probably upsets the Irish team more:eek:

Time to cut out some of this stuff?

.ak

It takes an extra 2 minutes does it? Load of moaning over nothing.

.ak

And he's wrong, the president comes out BEFORE the anthems. Get over it Thomas.

Dravokivich

So, he doesn't have a problem with what the Welsh team did to the English team a couple of weeks back?

Swiwi.

I watched the Irish French match on France 2. They really, REALLY were giving out about the Presidential handshake. But then Princess Anne meets & greets at Murrafield, and ?the Queen at Twickenham. Would prefer not to have it, but not going to write a letter or anything...

Hagz

I agree, ditch the president shakeathon. So ridiculous.

Celly Smunt

This coming from a Welshman? Sure they're only short of introducing the whole team individually by an American commentator in Cardiff with all the fireworks and ****e they do have going on

total former

A thread of its own? OK...

But I take it Gareth missed the Wales v England game a few weeks ago...

.ak

It makes no feckin' difference. Like seriously, talk about moaning over the smallest details.

donegal.

i hate irelands call with a passion

bilston

To be honest Irelands Call would be the last thing to go anyway. Not sure if this is getting into dodgy territory with the Mods but I would ask is it necessary for the President to meet both teams before every single match. Mary McAleese used to have a right laugh meeting the Ireland team during the EOS days when the team was basically always the same!!

.ak

Also, as I know it'll be touched upon, but a reminder of the charter:

.ak wrote: »

ANTHEMS

• Moaning about the "Anthems" will result in a ban....This has been discussed to death and only results in flame wars.

.ak

total former wrote: »

A thread of its own? OK...

But I take it Gareth missed the Wales v England game a few weeks ago...

Nothing wrong with having a thread of it's own. We don't need to push everything into megathreads - infact that often makes it harder for the guys who don't regularly visit the forum to find or read about a subject.

its_phil

He has a point but that's what we traditionally do in this country for GAA, soccer and rugby. Alan Quinlan was brilliant on 2FM last night taking the piss out of it saying Michael D is our secret weapon and should ask the English lads what their opinion was on water charges, the referendum and the next general election. Brilliant radio

FunLover18

I suppose the haka's all right, though

19543261

.ak wrote: »

It makes no feckin' difference. Like seriously, talk about moaning over the smallest details.

So you think its a good 2 minutes spent? It doesnt particularly bother me, but if it isnt necessary, and not many people would miss it...

Sanjuro

Christ, the Welsh are awful whingey these days.

Buer

BAHAHA. Welshman moaning about the pre match routine being decided upon by the home side.

Oh Gareth, you clown.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/6187320.stm

.ak

19543261 wrote: »

So you think its a good 2 minutes spent? It doesnt particularly bother me, but if it isnt necessary, and not many people would miss it...

I didn't say that though either. It's just not enough to get all hot n bothered over it. It's a tradition and plenty of other countries do it - I do actually think it brings and element of prestige and importance to the event.

Stheno

What's with all the Welsh whinging about Ireland this week?

errlloyd

They have a problem with meeting our president?

.ak

Stheno wrote: »

What's with all the Welsh whinging about Ireland this week?

They're just annoyed they aren't one of the teams in the limelight this weekend, when obviously the top two are competing in Dublin.

athtrasna

Eh the royals often do it in the UK too, Princess Anne certainly does the Scotland home games on a fairly regular basis!

Teferi

I like rolling out the leprechaun to greet the opposing team. It worked for the Irish Quidditch team in the World Cup after all.

19543261

errlloyd wrote: »

They have a problem with meeting our president?

*rolls up sleeves, cracks knuckles*

shuffol

I sense a bit of a grudge match coming in 2 weeks. Hope they keep this stuff coming.

I think Wales have become the side we derive the most satisfaction out of beating. Don't think there's as much respect there as there is with France and England.

Clearlier

Stheno wrote: »

What's with all the Welsh whinging about Ireland this week?

They're afraid that we might succeed where they failed.

razorblunt

Why does Gareth Thomas get asked about every single thing nowadays? Why do people get wound up about it, just ignore it fair enough he might not go away but just ignore him better then!!

He'll be having a go at the teams using brass bands next, sure they take ages to get off the pitch.


Also on a sidenote, for me, he's never going to be forgiven for standing by and watching teh BOD tip tackle in NZ.

Neil3030

Well if the Welsh ever grow a pair and move out of Mammy and Daddy's house, they can have their president meet whomever they please.

Clearlier

razorblunt wrote: »

Why does Gareth Thomas get asked about every single thing nowadays? Why do people get wound up about it, just ignore it fair enough he might not go away but just ignore him better then!!

He'll be having a go at the teams using brass bands next, sure they take ages to get off the pitch.


Also on a sidenote, for me, he's never going to be forgiven for standing by and watching teh BOD tip tackle in NZ.

That's a bit tough. Tackling and clearing out isn't exactly unusual. He could hardly have known what was going to happen.

I sometimes see on Scrum V and he never comes across as being that insightful to be honest. I'm not sure that he's that bright. As an advocate for equality I think it's great that we can see him on the screen, as an advocate for insightful intelligent analysis I'm disappointed to see him on the screen....

blackdog1

Hagz wrote: »

I agree, ditch the president shakeathon. So ridiculous.

I disagree, I played a lot of rugby and if I had ever made it I would have liked the shake the presidents hand for my first cap.

jacothelad

errlloyd wrote: »

They have a problem with meeting our president?

We have a President???? Since when????:D:D I thought WE had Brenda.

The Lost Sheep

Hagz wrote: »

I agree, ditch the president shakeathon. So ridiculous.

What's ridiculous about it? Its matter of respect and tradition.

19543261 wrote: »

So you think its a good 2 minutes spent? It doesnt particularly bother me, but if it isnt necessary, and not many people would miss it...

Matter of respect. The anthems are played and then the players meet president. Happens in all countries for international games. Don't see how its an issue

Stheno wrote: »

What's with all the Welsh whinging about Ireland this week?

Starting Warren's mind games a week earlier than usual. Deflecting media coverage to other non game related issues.

Hagz

Does it happen in all countries?

I can see for some people it holds meaning, but for me it's always been a bit of pompous pageantry.

.ak

blackdog1 wrote: »

I disagree, I played a lot of rugby and if I had ever made it I would have liked the shake the presidents hand for my first cap.

When I shake the ref's hand I generally pretend he's the President.

.ak

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

What's ridiculous about it? Its matter of respect and tradition.

Matter of respect. The anthems are played and then the players meet president. Happens in all countries for international games. Don't see how its an issue

Starting Warren's mind games a week earlier than usual. Deflecting media coverage to other non game related issues.

Am I going mad? Is it not the other way around?

The Lost Sheep

.ak wrote: »

Am I going mad? Is it not the other way around?

It does. I just typed it that way.... I don't see any issues with all the pageantry etc Doesn't do any harm so why complain?

thomond2006

Hagz wrote: »

Does it happen in all countries?

I can see for some people it holds meaning, but for me it's always been a bit of pompous pageantry.

Who cares if it happens in other countries?

If a visiting team doesn't like it, tough. Everyone has to sit through the Haka or the butthurt brigade come out in force otherwise.

I dare a player to question it to our President's face, he'd batter them. :pac:

Hagz

thomond2006 wrote: »

Who cares if it happens in other countries?

I was referring to someone else's post that said it happens in every country. I wanted clarification as to whether this is indeed true. I in fact care if it happens in other countries. I have an interest in finding out the truth.

.ak

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

It does. I just typed it that way.... I don't see any issues with all the pageantry etc Doesn't do any harm so why complain?

Right, I was just asking because Thomas suggested that the anthems are played and then they have to meet the dignitaries and that takes the wind out of their sails, but I didn't think that was true.

thomond2006

Hagz wrote: »

I was referring to someone else's post that said it happens in every country. I wanted clarification as to whether this is indeed true. I in fact care if it happens in other countries. I have an interest in finding out the truth.

Oops, sorry!

Scotland definitely have Princess Anne come out to greet the players. During the AIs Scotland/England/Wales have the salute to commemorate the World War(s), although I accept this is a different kind of event.

I personally think the President's greeting / Presidental salute is a great idea. If anything it gets people into their seats in the Aviva and helps the atmosphere.

.ak

Hagz wrote: »

I was referring to someone else's post that said it happens in every country. I wanted clarification as to whether this is indeed true. I in fact care if it happens in other countries. I have an interest in finding out the truth.

I envisage you wearing a mac and smoking a cigar.

ThisRegard

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

It does. I just typed it that way.... I don't see any issues with all the pageantry etc Doesn't do any harm so why complain?

It's a bit of an atmosphere killer in fairness.

.ak

ThisRegard wrote: »

It's a bit of an atmosphere killer in fairness.

Hahah, you're suggesting there was some sort of atmosphere before he greets the players?

connemara man

thomond2006 wrote: »

Who cares if it happens in other countries?

If a visiting team doesn't like it, tough. Everyone has to sit through the Haka or the butthurt brigade come out in force otherwise.

I dare a player to question it to our President's face, he'd batter them. :pac:

don't you mean he'd start a soliloquy on the merits of it and confuse the bejaysus out of them

Hagz

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

It does. I just typed it that way.... I don't see any issues with all the pageantry etc Doesn't do any harm so why complain?

Doesn't do any harm from your perspective, but clearly others don't share the same view. Gareth Thomas is a player who would have stood in the line before the game participating in the ritual, and he's saying it did affect him. You don't have to agree with him, but clearly opinions are divided on the matter, hence the complaints.

It's like asking why complain about the haka? People complain when something bothers them...

.ak

Hagz wrote: »

Doesn't do any harm from your perspective, but clearly others don't share the same view. Gareth Thomas is a player who would have stood in the line before the game participating in the ritual, and he's saying it did affect him. You don't have to agree with him, but clearly opinions are divided on the matter, hence the complaints.

It's like asking why complain about the haka? People complain when something bothers them...

Except he's complaining it ruins momentum, when in fact it doesn't actually happen after the anthems? So, he's basically just making stuff up, why believe him?

irishbucsfan

.ak wrote: »

Except he's complaining it ruins momentum, when in fact it doesn't actually happen after the anthems? So, he's basically just making stuff up, why believe him?

He's not making stuff up. He's misremembering perhaps, but the guy was very clearly involved in the process a few times. I saw him myself, so I believe him!

.ak

Meh, I disagree. For me he's bending a story to suit his argument, so why believe him?

His key point is that your have the anthems, you're fired up because of that, and then you have to meet a load of people. Which isn't the case, so he is, in fact, making it up. The key point doesn't stand. There's nothing between the anthems and the play of the game apart from the band getting off the field.

Reps4jesus

Have to say I think the presidential salute and meeting all the players is a terrible waste of time and should be scrapped. The players get psyched up for the game in the changing rooms, run out onto the pitch then 10 mins later the game actually starts. The crowd get bored during it and it dulls the atmosphere. scrap it and get on with the actually rugby

Hagz

.ak wrote: »

Except he's complaining it ruins momentum, when in fact it doesn't actually happen after the anthems? So, he's basically just making stuff up, why believe him?

I think it's a bit head in the sand stuff to pretend it doesn't affect momentum at all. It clearly does. Usually you'd run out amped up and your own anthem would keep the fire lit. Of course you'd have to endure the other team's anthem but that takes a minute or so. Whereas in this case you run out amped up, and then a man stands there to a tune and then you have to wait as he shakes each players hands. A process that takes longer than an anthem. Sure you still get to sing your own anthem, but it's hardly enough to re-light the fire, especially when your singing it away from home where the volume is significantly lower. And when the other team has two anthems to get through.

I don't know if I believe him. But at the same time I don't see why I shouldn't believe him. I see no reason for him to make it up. What he's saying appears to me to be perfectly logical.