I really agree with the decision taken by the IRB to use funds with open-handed purposes, rugby can help a lot in many places of the world, where they are going through famine, or diseases like AIDS and many other calamities, which are causing millions of deaths every year, including in some countries where they play rugby. I imagine that money coming from some other tournaments can be useful for helping the victims of many disasters, the rugby fans and sponsors will be the first ones to agree with this decision.
But I want to point out something, which is causing lots of distress amongst many rugby fans and players everywhere. I had watched with my family at a friend’s house the Stade video last night, which I find it completely shameful and with a terrible lack of taste, what has to do with rugby?
With the righteous aim that they are rising funds to support some charities, some players and clubs in Europe are distorting this “noble” endeavour, through printing calendars and selling videos, which do not have the slightest connection with rugby, on the contrary they are utterly wicked and a shame for any decent rugby player in the world, and for what rugby is all about.
As an example, Ben Cohen’s performance in his new 2008 calendar is not worst than those players who were photographed and shoot for a calendar and video of the so called “Dieux du Stade”, which was the case of the wonderful Scottish fly-half Sean Lamont. I mean clubs and players are not making enough money that they must show themselves completely naked in very provocative attitudes? we are not talking about Michelangelo or Leonardo’s sculptures here. What they’re doing it is an ignominy for rugby, represents the exposure of an extremely narcissistic behaviour, with gestures in photographs and videos shooting, which are essentially obscene. I hope that not any other player will join these new gods. In my case I have just one, our Father the Almighty.
What has rugby to do with this appalling display, nothing as far as I know? Rugby players are not strippers, or I am wrong? If monsieur Max Guzzini the manager of Stade Français had imposed his agenda in his club, paying big bonus to players, with just one aim, to show them naked and when more provocative they are more money they get, why others clubs throughout the world will not follow this same nasty trend?
William Webb Ellis might be turning around in his grave, just thinking how some modern rugby players and authorities are distorting the healthy and sound spirit of rugby, transforming players into “actors” who are degrading the sport for money, no matter what are the pretended charitable purposes.
We have not here in Argentina this kind of strip tease amongst our players, and I know that is the case for South Africa. The IRB should take some action to stop this.
How someone can denaturalize rugby, making players strippers and damaging this wonder
How someone can denaturalize rugby, making players strippers and damaging this wonder
