It’s that aggression that really brings a smile to your face as a fan. We’ve produced some talented forwards over the years, such as Mossop, Prescott and even Sutton (to a lesser extent) but I’ve always felt we were experts at producing forwards who seem like thoroughly decent human beings but there’s nothing like natural aggression on the field, especially when you’re playing in the middle.
I was just thinking, when's the last time we produced a prop who opposition fans just plain disliked?
People go on about how there are no hard men in rugby anymore, then disapprove when a young prop throws his weight around a bit. I'm sure Fielden, Morley, McDermott etc all did far worse coming through the ranks. Cas fans crying about a 21 year old ruffling up their player's hair are priceless, god knows what they said in the 80s when it seemed to be like the wild west at times from what I can gather. Putting a target on your back can be a good distraction for the opposition as well. Back when Bailey was good, he used to do that. I remember our lads totally losing their heads in a play off game because of him, think it was 04.
Hard men? Throws his weight around? Ruffling hair after knock ons isn’t throwing your weight around.
I suppose Jake Conor is a hard man too.
Let’s be honest, it’s just a little bit pathetic. There seem to be sections of fans who applaud players for cheating (holding arms in tackles etc), faking head tests and acting with a childish lack of respect. Fair enough, doesn’t do it for me though.
Hard men? Throws his weight around? Ruffling hair after knock ons isn’t throwing your weight around.
I suppose Jake Conor is a hard man too.
Let’s be honest, it’s just a little bit pathetic. There seem to be sections of fans who applaud players for cheating (holding arms in tackles etc), faking head tests and acting with a childish lack of respect. Fair enough, doesn’t do it for me though.
agree. true hard men are players like andy faz and tommy l (you dont have to be big to be tough). they dont need to be dirty. they dont give away silly pens.
remember how much a better player Neil Cowie was when he stopped punching at will? he was still a tough hombre but his respect improved greatly once he added that level of control
Hard men? Throws his weight around? Ruffling hair after knock ons isn’t throwing your weight around.
I suppose Jake Conor is a hard man too.
Let’s be honest, it’s just a little bit pathetic. There seem to be sections of fans who applaud players for cheating (holding arms in tackles etc), faking head tests and acting with a childish lack of respect. Fair enough, doesn’t do it for me though.
So apart from ruffling someone's hair what other cheap, niggly, pathetic things has he done.
Dont introduce stuff like faking head tests, holding arms in tackles etc when talking about ollie partington when he hasn't done thise things.
Hes ruffled someone's hair, once, as far as I know. Hes stood tot toe with some of the best props SL has to offer over the past 4 months Good on him
A lot of players do the head rub, I personally cringe when I see it but if that’s part of Partingtons game and gets him fired up then I’m happy for him to carry on. Somebody has already mentioned it on here but Ryan Bailey early doors (was a GB international) earnt Leeds so many penalty’s from being a cocky young in your face player, hopefully Oli can be similar and rather than Bailey getting found out he can actually kick on.
Big Steve wrote: The Internet has provided some wonderful creativity, opportunities and knowledge sharing but it has also given a worldwide forum for people you would leave a full pint behind in the pub to avoid having to listen to them.
aboveusonlypie... If you don't bother to go to the game when you live in the locality then you are not really a fan and therefore your views are invalid. It's simple.
Winding opposition players up has been part of the game as long as there has been a game.
For me, in the modern game it has gone too far, I don’t like the rubbing of opposition players heads after an error. A bit of sledging I’m fine with but no physical contact. Let’s not pretend this is limited to one player.
Keeping your composure and channeling any frustration into legal aggression is a big part of the game, those who can generally go on to become top players and win trophies, those who can’t give away penalties and loose games which is what Cas did on Thursday.
The Wakey lad, Cook I think? was a prime example last night. Got frustrated and got penalised for dissent. Then came back with a cracking legal hit a play or two later. JSL got frustrated and attacked a prone players head with his knees, deserved red card.
Winding opposition players up has been part of the game as long as there has been a game.
For me, in the modern game it has gone too far, I don’t like the rubbing of opposition players heads after an error. A bit of sledging I’m fine with but no physical contact. Let’s not pretend this is limited to one player.
Keeping your composure and channeling any frustration into legal aggression is a big part of the game, those who can generally go on to become top players and win trophies, those who can’t give away penalties and loose games which is what Cas did on Thursday.
The Wakey lad, Cook I think? was a prime example last night. Got frustrated and got penalised for dissent. Then came back with a cracking legal hit a play or two later. JSL got frustrated and attacked a prone players head with his knees, deserved red card.
I think the difference is that a while ago you would get sorted out for behaving like that. Now you are basically protected and allowed to go around rubbing hair and shouting in faces knowing nothing will happen.
I just think it cheapens a tough and honest game and people who encourage it will be the first to be upset when the sport turns into soccer and respect is a distant memory.
I think the difference is that a while ago you would get sorted out for behaving like that. Now you are basically protected and allowed to go around rubbing hair and shouting in faces knowing nothing will happen.
I just think it cheapens a tough and honest game and people who encourage it will be the first to be upset when the sport turns into soccer and respect is a distant memory.
Totally concur with both paragraphs, with the first one being my thoughts too.
Lack off biff has allowed all sorts of negative traits into our sport. Annoying