The recent poll shows that nearly everyone agrees that Graeme Arnold should be red carded as the Socceroos coach … despite recent successes. Oh well, time to move on.
I must say that when I lived in Paris (just thought I’d throw that in, in case you didn’t know that I once lived in Paris, for months in 2000), Rugby Union was very popular, and the most popular Rugby Union visitors of all were the Scots, who stayed in the Marais, which is where I was living (in the fourth arrondissement). The French had just endured the World Cup the year before, and while they hated English fans, the Scots never wore out their welcome. In fact, they behaved so well that they turned many football loving Frogs onto the beautiful game.
So, Amanda’s rather inflammatory comments about the French, in the Rugby Union correspondent post, require attention from Sideliners. A droit!
4 responses so far ↓
Mungo Amanda // Aug 30, 2007 at 10:55 pm
*tumbleweeds*
Mungo Amanda // Aug 31, 2007 at 5:45 am
And its not the French, its the French Rugby Union.
I am genuinely interested to see someone defend them, since I have never heard anyone contest the facts: league was more popular than union, and also more identified with the Resistance left, the RU used Vichy to seize league assets and effectively have the game banned. This discrimination continued long after the war, many many decades after and to this day any formal and symbolic acknowlegement of the fact gets blocked politically by RU’s allies.
My interpretation may be questioned I will admit, but I feel I can also strongly defend it: FRU is in a position to host the RWC today as a direct result of these events, which they refuse to acknowledge, apologise or make reparations for. This is swept under the carpet, and their continuing bullying overlooked.
As soon as these acknowlegements happen, you will hear no more about it from me.
If you can find someone to defend this state of affairs, please have at it. I’m most intrigued t0 hear it.
Also did you just refer to yawnion as “the beautiful game” in contrast to soccer? Scandaleux!
Shaun // Aug 31, 2007 at 9:28 am
Amanda, just drop a hint to cs when he blogs next on union that Greg Cowden is behind it all. That will get you a response.
Mungo Amanda // Aug 31, 2007 at 10:16 am
I expect nothing from people who voluntarily read The Australian.