Munster v. Ulster - (Sat 31st @ 5:00pm) Thomond Park

phog · 01-11-2009 9:34pm

Aidric wrote: »

Yep, really surprised he played on. There was a lot of worry initially and he crashed to the ground hard on his shoulder. It was a reckless challenge and Cave was rightly booed off the pitch.

Have to say I disagreed with the booing and was really disappointed with the guy behind me who called him a thug, I think Cave over committed on the run and just took him out, a YC yes but hardly a hanging offence. I actually felt sorry for Cave, he went back to check if Dowling was ok before leaving the field and then went to I think ROG as well to say sorry.

Aidric · 01-11-2009 9:38pm

It was a natural and warranted response to a reckless challenge that could have ended up in serious injury to Dowling. I don't agree with the thug comments btw.

Amazotheamazing · 01-11-2009 9:42pm

phog wrote: »

Have to say I disagreed with the booing and was really disappointed with the guy behind me who called him a thug, I think Cave over committed on the run and just took him out, a YC yes but hardly a hanging offence. I actually felt sorry for Cave, he went back to check if Dowling was ok before leaving the field and then went to I think ROG as well to say sorry.

Yeah, it was rough on Cave to an extent, as he was leaving the pitch they were bringing on the stretcher, he was obviously concerned.

RugbyFanatic · 01-11-2009 9:55pm

What did Dowling do?

Amazotheamazing · 01-11-2009 9:56pm

RugbyFanatic wrote: »

What did Dowling do?

Played on despite landing badly after a reckless challenge from Cave. I presume that's what you're referring to?

Podge_irl · 01-11-2009 10:07pm

phog wrote: »

Have to say I disagreed with the booing and was really disappointed with the guy behind me who called him a thug, I think Cave over committed on the run and just took him out, a YC yes but hardly a hanging offence. I actually felt sorry for Cave, he went back to check if Dowling was ok before leaving the field and then went to I think ROG as well to say sorry.

The booing was unnecessary, but the challenge looked far worse on first viewing I think. It wasn't even remotely malicious, just a bit clumsy but Cave can hardly complain about the outcome.

wixfjord · 01-11-2009 10:08pm

I dont think Caves was that much worse than Earls in the first half, only that Dowling got a very bad landing but would like to see both again. No way did Cave mean it though.

danthefan · 01-11-2009 10:08pm

Booing eh? Wonder if we'll have an article in the Indo tomorrow on it.

01-11-2009 10:08pm

About the other dowling thing, we don't actually know that he was rubbing it in iHumph's face about missing the kick. The push could have been over anything. I don't think he was doing a Johnny Sexton.

wixfjord · 01-11-2009 10:13pm

2040 wrote: »

About the other dowling thing, we don't actually know that he was rubbing it in iHumph's face about missing the kick. The push could have been over anything. I don't think he was doing a Johnny Sexton.

Do you fish much then?

RugbyFanatic · 01-11-2009 10:41pm

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Played on despite landing badly after a reckless challenge from Cave. I presume that's what you're referring to?

No clearly not as I read that already (as you know) I am referring to the comments on Dowling being unsportsmanlike? I didn't see the game and am just wondering try not to be so defensive ffs

RugbyFanatic · 01-11-2009 10:44pm

2040 wrote: »

I don't think he was doing a Johnny Sexton.

No offence but you don't know how ROG had acted towards Sexton up until that point so really don't think you can comment. I wont go into it on a public forum but if the worst Sexton did was celebrate a try in ROG's face then fair play to him for controlling himself

danthefan · 01-11-2009 10:45pm

RugbyFanatic wrote: »

No clearly not as I read that already (as you know) I am referring to the comments on Dowling being unsportsmanlike? I didn't see the game and am just wondering try not to be so defensive ffs

iHumph missed a drop goal attempt, Dowling started that ****e of giving him a pat on the head and having a word in his ear, then shoved Humphries or something. Pretty much the irritating and unsportsmanlike behaviour you'd expect from Dowling.

Amazotheamazing · 01-11-2009 10:47pm

danthefan wrote: »

iHumph missed a drop goal attempt, Dowling started that ****e of giving him a pat on the head and having a word in his ear, then shoved Humphries or something. Pretty much the irritating and unsportsmanlike behaviour you'd expect from Dowling.

Or half a dozen Irish players, Sexton included. Why make an issue of it?

danthefan · 01-11-2009 10:47pm

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Or half a dozen Irish players, Sexton included. Why make an issue of it?

Because someone asked what happened.

Amazotheamazing · 01-11-2009 10:49pm

danthefan wrote: »

Because someone asked what happened.

So you'd consider Sexton to often behave in an unsporting manner, too?

It's just more interprovincial bull**** from people who need to get out more.

Hyperbullet · 01-11-2009 10:51pm

danthefan wrote: »

iHumph missed a drop goal attempt, Dowling started that ****e of giving him a pat on the head and having a word in his ear, then shoved Humphries or something. Pretty much the irritating and unsportsmanlike behaviour you'd expect from Dowling.

Would you like to back that point up with any other incident where Dowling has been "unsportsmanlike"?

RugbyFanatic · 01-11-2009 10:51pm

danthefan wrote: »

iHumph missed a drop goal attempt, Dowling started that ****e of giving him a pat on the head and having a word in his ear, then shoved Humphries or something. Pretty much the irritating and unsportsmanlike behaviour you'd expect from Dowling.

Thats really not on. I hate this kind of **** and especially against a fellow country man. Quinlan gouging Cullen, Hayes stomping Healy and now Dowling acting the muppet towards Humphries? Doesn't bode well for international camps if theres always simmering tension between players because of silly things like this.

danthefan · 01-11-2009 10:52pm

Hyperbullet wrote: »

Would you like to back that point up with any other incident where Dowling has been "unsportsmanlike"?

I could actually but I'll leave it there, this is going nowhere constructive.

Aidric · 01-11-2009 10:52pm

Some smell of hypocrisy starting to emerge in this thread.

RugbyFanatic · 01-11-2009 10:52pm

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

So you'd consider Sexton to often behave in an unsporting manner, too?

It's just more interprovincial bull**** from people who need to get out more.

I was asking about Dowling's inciddent, why bring in Sexton then complain of interprovincial bull****?

I didnt see the inciddent and was wondering what happened try not to be so sensitive.

Risteard · 01-11-2009 10:55pm

RugbyFanatic wrote: »

I was asking about Dowling's inciddent, why bring in Sexton then complain of interprovincial bull****?

I didnt see the inciddent and was wondering what happened try not to be so sensitive.

Though why bring in the Hayes or Quinlan incidents?

Hyperbullet · 01-11-2009 10:56pm

danthefan wrote: »

I could actually but I'll leave it there, this is going nowhere constructive.

Really? If so PM me with the incidents where you reckon Dowling has been unsportsmanlike. You'll find them hard to come by. Totally baseless comment to make on your part.

Podge_irl · 01-11-2009 10:57pm

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

So you'd consider Sexton to often behave in an unsporting manner, too?

It's just more interprovincial bull**** from people who need to get out more.

Jesus Christ, you're the one who brought up Sexton.

I brought it up originally because it irritates the crap out of me when players do it. Dowling was particularly obvious about it (and after a missed drop goal of all things, that was just stupid). However, I hate whenever anyone does it. Its becoming more and more common and its bloody annoying and I wish refs would start punishing it for unsportsmanlike behaviour. That would cut it out pretty quick.

Amazotheamazing · 01-11-2009 11:02pm

Risteard wrote: »

Though why bring in the Hayes or Quinlan incidents?

Do you even have to ask?

All the provinces have players who take cheap shots and do petty things on the pitch, this week the usual suspects have lined up to attack Dowling, next time out Dowling's defenders will be laying into Sexton etc etc. Really, why bother.

Risteard · 01-11-2009 11:04pm

To add to the list of unsportsmanlike behaviour I saw the Ulster second row patting a Munster player on the head after he gave away a penalty. Discuss.

Aidric · 01-11-2009 11:08pm

RugbyFanatic wrote: »

Doesn't bode well for international camps if theres always simmering tension between players because of silly things like this.

I think you're reading too much into it. By that logic there would never be a lions side.

Hyperbullet · 01-11-2009 11:12pm

Risteard wrote: »

To add to the list of unsportsmanlike behaviour I saw the Ulster second row patting a Munster player on the head after he gave away a penalty. Discuss.

There's no discussion to be had really. This happens in the game, its not right, but look at any contact team sport in the world, it happens! The adrenaline is flowing, tempers can run high and players try to get one up on the opponent by any means. What differentiates rugby from other contact sports though is that once the final whistle blows, any of the slagging or crap that goes on is left on the pitch.

RugbyFanatic · 01-11-2009 11:15pm

Risteard wrote: »

Though why bring in the Hayes or Quinlan incidents?

I was making a seperate point I would of thought that was obvious :rolleyes:

RugbyFanatic · 01-11-2009 11:17pm

Risteard wrote: »

To add to the list of unsportsmanlike behaviour I saw the Ulster second row patting a Munster player on the head after he gave away a penalty. Discuss.

Did he shove him afterwards acting like a thug?

RugbyFanatic · 01-11-2009 11:18pm

Aidric wrote: »

I think you're reading too much into it. By that logic there would never be a lions side.

True that but then again the Lions usually dont work well together...

Amazotheamazing · 01-11-2009 11:22pm

RugbyFanatic wrote: »

Did he shove him afterwards acting like a thug?

You didn't even see it and now you're an expert on it?

Ah come on, stop stirring.

RugbyFanatic · 01-11-2009 11:29pm

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

You didn't even see it and now you're an expert on it?

Ah come on, stop stirring.

That was the part that really infuriated me though upon hearing it and its not as if I am incorrect. Dowling shoved him didn't he?

Im not trying to stir anything.

Amazotheamazing · 01-11-2009 11:33pm

RugbyFanatic wrote: »

That was the part that really infuriated me though upon hearing it and its not as if I am incorrect. Dowling shoved him didn't he?

Im not trying to stir anything.

You'll have to get footage from Setanta and go through it split second by split second. You should also trawl through the 15 minutes before the incident to see if Humph's was goading him. Then you should write a strongly worded letter to the Irish Times with your Mont Blanc.

Or, you could let a nothing incident go, it'd be a first, but there's a first time for everything.

RugbyFanatic · 01-11-2009 11:38pm

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

You'll have to get footage from Setanta and go through it split second by split second. You should also trawl through the 15 minutes before the incident to see if Humph's was goading him. Then you should write a strongly worded letter to the Irish Times with your Mont Blanc.

Or, you could let a nothing incident go, it'd be a first, but there's a first time for everything.

Sorry amazo in my eyes these type of thugish acts need to be stamped out. No place in the game. This isnt the first time Dowling has engaged in this type of behaviour either.

Amazotheamazing · 01-11-2009 11:44pm

RugbyFanatic wrote: »

Sorry amazo in my eyes these type of thugish acts need to be stamped out. No place in the game. This isnt the first time Dowling has engaged in this type of behaviour either.

I'm not defending him, any more than I'd defend Sexton for kicking Mafi in the face, or Jennings for gouging, or Neil Best for being Neil Best but I think it's on the lower end of the scale. All the provinces have players who aren't very nice people, it's just something we'll have to try and live with.

RugbyFanatic · 01-11-2009 11:52pm

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

I'm not defending him, any more than I'd defend Sexton for kicking Mafi in the face, or Jennings for gouging, or Neil Best for being Neil Best but I think it's on the lower end of the scale. All the provinces have players who aren't very nice people, it's just something we'll have to try and live with.

I dont think we should have to live with it. Something should be done, in those other cases players were cited why not Dowling for unprovokingly shoving a player and trying to provoke a reaction?

Hyperbullet · 01-11-2009 11:55pm

RugbyFanatic wrote: »

Sorry amazo in my eyes these type of thugish acts need to be stamped out. No place in the game. This isnt the first time Dowling has engaged in this type of behaviour either.

Example please? I asked another poster on here who made a baseless comment like that for examples of this behaviour and got no response.

I dont condone players goading other players, but you are totally exaggerating here. I was at the match, saw the incident, and there was nothing thuggish about it.

RugbyFanatic · 02-11-2009 12:04am

Hyperbullet wrote: »

Example please? I asked another poster on here who made a baseless comment like that for examples of this behaviour and got no response.

I dont condone players goading other players, but you are totally exaggerating here. I was at the match, saw the incident, and there was nothing thuggish about it.

I've witnessed it myself at games where Dowling has been less than complementary to his opposite players. Some of the language he spouted at the other players was vile, my brother had his son with him who was subjected to these horrible comments simply be being within ear shot and it was a disgrace.

And going up to a player and shoving him unprovoked is very thuggish in my eyes.

Hyperbullet · 02-11-2009 12:08am

RugbyFanatic wrote: »

I've witnessed it myself at games where Dowling has been less than complementary to his opposite players. Some of the language he spouted at the other players was vile, my brother had his son with him who was subjected to these horrible comments simply be being within ear shot and it was a disgrace.

And going up to a player and shoving him unprovoked is very thuggish in my eyes.

I'm sorry but the language that is heard from certain fans at matches towards players is far worse than what is said between players in most cases. Just because he said a few choice words to another player doesnt mean he should be viewed as a thug now does it?

And have you actually seen the incident yourself? Until then why not reserve judgement and stop jumping to conclusions based on someone elses post.

RugbyFanatic · 02-11-2009 12:10am

Hyperbullet wrote: »

I'm sorry but the language that is heard from certain fans at matches towards players is far worse than what is said between players in most cases. Just because he said a few choice words to another player doesnt mean he should be viewed as a thug now does it?

And have you actually seen the incident yourself? Until then why not reserve judgement and stop jumping to conclusions based on someone elses post.

I'm not calling him a thug simply saying it was a thuggish act that should be punished. To be honest I don't need to see the inciddent as if he did indeed shove Humphries unprovoked then in my eyes that is enough.

Amazotheamazing · 02-11-2009 12:10am

Didn't some Leinster fans take to calling Dowling "Judas" for a while? I know they shouted "Judas" at Kidney before. It's a sad trend in Irish rugby.

Btw, I was also against the booing of Cave on Saturday, no need for it.

Hyperbullet · 02-11-2009 12:14am

RugbyFanatic wrote: »

I'm not calling him a thug simply saying it was a thuggish act that should be punished. To be honest I don't need to see the inciddent as if he did indeed shove Humphries unprovoked then in my eyes that is enough.

And what would you recommend as punishment? Seems to me you have a set on Dowling and if the situation was reversed and Humphs had goaded him I wonder if you'd make such a fuss about this. I mean how many times do you hear some words between players at line outs and there's the occasional shove? No one complains about that.

RugbyFanatic · 02-11-2009 12:16am

Hyperbullet wrote: »

And what would you recommend as punishment? Seems to me you have a set on Dowling and if the situation was reversed and Humphs had goaded him I wonder if you'd make such a fuss about this. I mean how many times do you hear some words between players at line outs and there's the occasional shove? No one complains about that.

I would recommend a one week ban. Words between players is not unprovoked. What happened here is Dowling set it upon himself to goad Humphries then shove him in an aggressive manner completely unprovoked from the sound of things.

Amazotheamazing · 02-11-2009 12:22am

RugbyFanatic wrote: »

I would recommend a one week ban. Words between players is not unprovoked. What happened here is Dowling set it upon himself to goad Humphries then shove him in an aggressive manner completely unprovoked from the sound of things.

Who said it was anything like that?

profitius · 02-11-2009 12:27am

The players are mature enough to get over it so there'll be no problem in the Ireland camp.

I thought Sexton went too far last year shouting into the face of ROG. However Sexton said he regretted it and he seems to have matured since then.

RugbyFanatic · 02-11-2009 12:34am

profitius wrote: »

I thought Sexton went too far last year shouting into the face of ROG. However Sexton said he regretted it and he seems to have matured since then.

Very mature of him. I hope Dowling does the same.

RugbyFanatic · 02-11-2009 12:34am

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Who said it was anything like that?

Well from what I was told :

Dowling condescendingly patted Humphries on the head,

Had a few choice words in his ear

Then shoved him.

Am I wrong?

RugbyFanatic · 02-11-2009 12:37am

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Didn't some Leinster fans take to calling Dowling "Judas" for a while? I know they shouted "Judas" at Kidney before. It's a sad trend in Irish rugby.

You will always get a very small minority of idiots at games what is really sad is when players themselves engage in this type of behaviour against fellow international team mates.

Btw, I was also against the booing of Cave on Saturday, no need for it

Agreed.

Podge_irl · 02-11-2009 1:26am

RugbyFanatic wrote: »

I would recommend a one week ban. Words between players is not unprovoked. What happened here is Dowling set it upon himself to goad Humphries then shove him in an aggressive manner completely unprovoked from the sound of things.

This has turned into a bit of a train crash but all the same...

What Dowling did was in no way shape or form worth a banning. He was just antagonising Humph. I would have liked to have seen a penalty (though never have for that kinda thing, which was more my point), but that's it. You're getting ridiculously emotive over an incident you haven't even seen.

Munster v. Ulster - (Sat 31st @ 5:00pm) Thomond Park

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