England and Rugby Concerns by a True Fan!

ENGLAND RWC WINNERS!
By Tiger_ress 26/11/03
November 26 2003

England fans have been celebrating all over this land but now reality is dawning - how much will this change the lives of the players and the game we love. Here is a fan's view sent through to Unofficial England Rugby.

Concerns

 

 

After what was probably the best day/weekend of my life (so far), the enormity of what has happened suddenly hit me this morning whilst watching the Heathrow coverage (Yes I am a bit slow!) But whilst I will wallow, feel immense pride and bask in the glory of England winning the world cup, I have a few concerns for the sport, which I know and love.

 

Rugby, to me, is life. It’s a way of life. If I had said this to anyone else, they’d probably think I was bonkers, but I feel safe and secure in saying it. About 5 years ago I went through a rough time, and rugby became my new interest and got me out of a rut.

 

I imagine that some people feel the same. So whilst winning the world cup is absolutely amazing, I am ever-so-slightly worried

 

The main thing I love about Rugby is the “family feel”. I can take my nieces and nephews and never feel threatened. I can go on my own, meet new people and never feel threatened. If this was to change, I don’t think I could handle it. This is where my worry lies. With all this new spandangly fame that Rugby has found, what happens if we start to get a new breed of supporters who would be the equivalent of the hooligans associated with football? I know that unpleasant situations at Rugby are usually dealt with by fellow fans (these instance are so few and far between that they don’t usually cost me a second thought). But with the heathans (or a more severe case of glory supporters if you prefer) that Rugby could attract would not enable the friendly but stern approach to any unpleasant situations. “But that’s what the stewards are for!“ I hear you cry. Yes that’s right, but look at the footy stewards, in a different league (although the supervisor at Welford Road is pretty scary). I don’t mean to tar every single football fan with the same brush because these hooligans are in the minority, but surely someone else has this fear?

 

My second fear is the media. It is truly wonderful that Rugby has got the coverage it deserves. Our boys have come a long way since the Tour of Hell, and winning the Rugby World Cup is their just desserts. But I have this feeling that, no matter what Clive, Jonny, Johnno or anyone else says the media will build it all up and make Wilkinson the Glory Boy. He is very special don’t get me wrong, but the naivety of the media with this coverage causes this. They seem to forget that there is always 14 other players on the pitch (15 sometimes Mr Mike Tindall!). It takes all these other players to make the yards, tackle, take man and ball, ruck, maul and do whatever it takes to get them into an advantageous position so that Jonny can kick to touch, for goal (should a penalty come along) or drop a goal.

 

How many times have we heard about Robbo’s try? Not many. (apart from bedazzled). The ten yards Daws made on his own to give Jonny the extra 10 yards for him to drop the goal? Not many.  The way our “sung hero” Richard Hill was there at every breakdown, trying to get the ball? Not many. About how Johnno took on the ball and about 5 wannabies at the same time? Not Many. What about Tindall's play, being used as the battering ram which he’s sooooo good at? Not many. And what about the fact that in that match Jason Leonard became the world’s most capped player? Not a smidge. You get my Drift?

 

I know this may sound harsh, and it’s not Jonny’s fault, it’s the media. They seem to be oblivious to the fact that Wilkinson is part of a team. I’m so very proud that Jonny got us out of that sticky situation with 20 seconds to go, that took (in the words of Will Greenwood) “Balls as big as a house”. Does anyone else see where I am coming from?

 

Jonno has been the best and the most successful captain of all time; captaining a Lions Tour success in 1997, nearly getting there in 2001, and being on tour with the prestigious Lions in 1994. He has captained England to a Grand Slam; won 4 premiership titles (don’t let that grind at you Bath Fans, I won’t!) and now the World Cup. He has received praise, yes, but no where near what Wilko has received. The whole team deserves the same, all 31 of them, and Clive and the back room team.

 

I’m not sure that JW will handle the fame, as he will just want to carry on where he left off  7 weeks ago; kicking the ball around with his brother, having his own life. And I pray that he will be able to do that. But it would be awful for JW to be made into a media icon like David Beckham. “Oh Look!! JW had his hair cut!!!!” I for one am not at all interested about this kind of coverage, and the media unfortunately are; this is what makes front pages. For example, I bet if Newcastle won the league (stop laughing at the back ;-) ), and Jonny had bought a new car that day, the latter is the most likely to reach the front pages.  The only way that JW’s life will change is if he lets it, I'm sure he won’t, he’s not the kind of person to know ask Newcastle for a raise to half a million is he? Do you see where I am coming from? This type of coverage is better left to football, in Rugby it’s about the Game, the sport which we all love.

 

My 3rd worry is money. Surely this should have a positive impact on the game. But I would hate to think that money will become the main motivator in years to come. With money can come lack of passion, and I think that this is why the England team won this year; because they were passionate, they put their heart and souls into it, and it is life to them. This has leads to my main concern.

 

Last year at the end of season Deano, Darren Garforth and Dorian West came into the bar at Welford Road, took over the band and sang for an hour. it was fab. I met Mike Catt, got his signature for my mum, and he asked me how she was and why she wasn’t with me. My point is that these guys are humble, approachable and down to earth. You never hear of this in football because I believe it has been a victim of it’s own success.

 

I just hope that Rugby doesn’t go the same way.

 

But that’s my rant over, had to get it off my chest, so I’m off now to continue celebrating!