English Values

Does anyone see the irony in supporters of the country that gave Johnny Wilkinson an MBE for kicking penalty goals booing Matt Giteau for kicking penalty goals?

Giteau didn’t seem to mind too much, slotting 7 from 8 shots to make 50/58 this year at 86%

I suppose it gives you a little bit more satisfaction when you do kick the goals.

RFU president Brian Williams and head pom-pous twát has apologised to the Australian High Commissioner on behalf of his nation

I wasted no time letting him know how sorry I was for what I regarded as very bad manners.

He goes on to hint that the sections of the crowd partaking in this unsporting behaviour are football fans, without actually saying that of course

This strikes me as another example of how the crowd is changing and that maybe many of those responsible are not real rugby supporters.

Apparently he’d requested an announcement be made over the PA system to tell the crowd to stop being so uncouth, and will be launching an investigation into why it wasn’t broadcast.

I am annoyed about it, very annoyed. They are letting England down.

Personally I don’t condone the “booing” of kickers, it’s far too unimaginative. I have no reservations about putting them off in other more creative ways.

My greatest rugby moment was at Twickenham in 2004, the first Cook Cup match after RWC 2003 final. I was seated in a group of about 100 ARU allocated seats right behind the left goalpost and Charlie Hodgson was lining up to kick a penalty that would have won England the match. As he was lining up I started a chant with the mob around me as we sang unison

All of these years you’ve been kicking next door to Johnny
Johnny, Johnny, WHERE THE FúCK IS JOHNNY?

Charlie missed, Wallabies won, and Charlie sought counselling after those mean Australians sledged him. Dream ending.