tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7101694739527706614.post4516199409360376345..comments2023-07-09T21:38:41.963+01:00Comments on TOTAL FLANKER...a rugby blog: Olympic Rugby...TotalFlankerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01624839368553218464noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7101694739527706614.post-73166505991826932672008-10-09T02:01:00.000+01:002008-10-09T02:01:00.000+01:00John does a really good job of playing devils advo...John does a really good job of playing devils advocate. He makes some compelling arguements...still...who would rather watch synchronized swimming or diving or rythmic gymnastics compared to the sevens game. The IRB will have to show as much zeal promoting BOTH men and women, and I agree with John, the ladies have not had a lot of love from the IRB. I think this also shows the importance of the next rugby world cup after New Zealand going to Japan.Nursedudehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07841605014910203222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7101694739527706614.post-35081295027637961742008-08-29T18:52:00.000+01:002008-08-29T18:52:00.000+01:00Let's be realistic about this - rugby, as things s...Let's be realistic about this - rugby, as things stand, does not stand a cat in hells chance of getting into the Olympics. <BR/><BR/>I've covered this in detail here (http://letchworthgirls.blogspot.com/2008/07/rugby-and-olympics-think-oil-and-water.html) but essentially there are three problems...<BR/><BR/>1. Sevens is considered a mickey-mouse version of the game within rugby - there is next to no chance that the IOC will accept a version of a sport into their games that even the sport itelf does not taker seriously (ditto 10s, incidentally).<BR/><BR/>2. Rugby is not a world sport (see the Putting Rugby First report). It has the potential to become one, but the eight founder members of the IRB continue to put their own interests ahead of the game.<BR/><BR/>3. No sport has got into the Olympics in modern times (certainly since the war) that did not treat the women's version of the sport with some equality to the men's. The jaw dropping levels of inequality across the game are enough to kill any Olympic bd stone dead - but just consider the fact that two out of the eight founder members did not even enter teams for next year's women's sevens world cup...<BR/><BR/>Get real. Roller-skating got more votes last time and frankly - unless the game wakes up to the real world - cricket stands a better chance of getting an Olympic place than rugby.John Birchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15062999762082583258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7101694739527706614.post-15837096694386546852008-08-27T09:53:00.000+01:002008-08-27T09:53:00.000+01:00If sevens has become silly and 15 man rugby is too...If sevens has become silly and 15 man rugby is too difficult for many people to understand, then tens could be the alternative. Or of course beach rugby; if they can have beach volleyball, then why not?<BR/><BR/>I enjoyed watching bmx; it’s exciting to watch and it’s a real athletic performance; it’s physically quite similar to a 400m hurdles race; a lengthened sprint over obstacles that burns up the athletes’ legs and gives the crowd an exciting spectacle. Greco-Roman wrestling must be one of the traditional Olympic sports and I guess it’s quite popular in some countries.<BR/><BR/>But the long distance Julian Clary walking? What is that? Are they just too talentless to run? And what’s with those silly sticks I see people walking with down our way? Is that the next Olympic ‘sport’?<BR/><BR/>As for synchronised swimming , I can only think of one purpose; it inspires millions of drunken holidaymakers to emulate the graceful moves in hotel swimming pools around southern Europe.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, handball has it’s benefits too; our local ladies handball team are certainly worth watching.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7101694739527706614.post-74637271563810044602008-08-27T03:46:00.000+01:002008-08-27T03:46:00.000+01:00Yea I have to agree, I was shocked to see Power Wa...Yea I have to agree, I was shocked to see Power Walking as an Olympic sport...really?Scrumhalf Connectionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09650889444342896074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7101694739527706614.post-18266388560078411302008-08-27T00:27:00.000+01:002008-08-27T00:27:00.000+01:00Matty, why stop at handball....What about these "s...Matty, why stop at handball....<BR/><BR/>What about these "sports"<BR/><BR/>synchronised swimming<BR/>greco-roman wrestling<BR/>bmx (where's Nicole Kidman?)<BR/>trampolining<BR/>beach volleyball (although I can see some merit in this)<BR/>and my personal favourite...WALKINGAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14669555802772237925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7101694739527706614.post-59963372121895316532008-08-26T15:18:00.000+01:002008-08-26T15:18:00.000+01:00If fucking handball can dominate the olympics from...If fucking <I>handball</I> can dominate the olympics from beginning to end then rugby should definitely be there. A pity that 7s has become so popcorn.<BR/><BR/>Plus, someone needs to tell that showboating kid at the end it's two hands for beginners.....Matt @ Green and Gold Rugbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01448206561040202849noreply@blogger.com