The double standards of some ABs

[Certain Navigator]

Interesting article on rugbypass.com
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/ardie-sa ... oane-saga/

My sympathies are entirely with the journalists. Players like Savea (and Perenara, among others, although they're thankfully rare) seem to believe that it's perfectly ok for them to put the boot into anyone who *says* something they don't like (e.g., Folau), but they themselves should be treated like a protected species when it comes to reporting their own bad *behaviour*. Even when, as in the case of Ioane, it's for repeated offending.

Condemn what I say, not what I do...

[Enzedder]

Sympathy levels are not that great to be honest

With the greatest respect, Ardie Savea, you are wrong and this is why
Paul Cully
15:35, Apr 02 2021

OPINION: Hurricanes captain Ardie Savea has taken exception to Stuff's coverage of the Josh Ioane story, taking myself and colleague Hamish McNeilly to task on social media.

A lot of this is just water off a duck's back. Frankly, when you read what our female colleagues have to suffer on a regular basis the lot of the male journalist is good.

Yet, there are claims made by Savea that need to be addressed, particularly that my colleague went out of our way to “rubbish” the players and “make them look like criminals” and invited a lot of “hate” towards the players, potentially jeopardising their mental health.

There's a lot in that, so let's break it down into three parts and then expand more generally into the protection rugby players in New Zealand actually get, with their messes frequently swept up by NZ Rugby and the players’ association.

First, on mental health. I admit from time to time I have not made as much of the injury status of some players, when it has been explained to me by rugby officials that doing so would have an impact on their mental health.

These occasions are rare, but I have no interest in harming somebody going through a difficult time. So, it's demonstrably false that I play fast and loose with mental health.

Second, in terms of providing a safe place for players to talk about their experiences, and report on it positively, check out recent stories with Freedom Vahaakolo and Mitch Hunt. No one's perfect of course, but journalists do try and, quite frankly, players often are their own worst enemies when it comes to coverage.

Third, to the Ioane story itself. The critical voices missing in Savea's criticism are the ones in the story – older women: an enormously underrepresented group in our communities.

They have no real platforms, status or privilege, so when someone finally asks them about how things are on their street, they talk: and I’m listening.

When they say they have to close all their doors at night to sleep because of the Highlanders’ partying, or not sleep at all, I’m listening.

What I won't do is listen to them and not report on their stories, and give the players a free pass. It's not my job.

Players are constantly feted, but they need to accept that at times not everyone in their community likes them, or their behaviours. If they can't cop criticism maybe the bubble around them has become a bit too much.

The reality is that New Zealand rugby players have it pretty good with the media here. I grew up in the UK and have worked extensively in Australia, and players in NZ get away with what would be considered murder overseas. The Chiefs’ Stripper-gate in 2016 is a case in point.

Players have silent leverage over journalists in New Zealand. In this small market, access matters. Ardie, journalists you know (and possibly deem the ‘good’ ones) have contacted me privately in support today, but they know better than to do it loudly.

But there comes a time when you have to draw a line, especially when you are called out publicly. We always try to be better, but we're not the ones keeping the street up at night and apparently not giving a stuff who it upsets.

*Note: Before this piece was published I contacted Hurricanes CEO Avan Lee to let him know it was coming, and that my line is always open to Ardie Savea or any other player.

[Jb1981]

Sometimes it is better to keep quiet. I think this was one of those times for Ardie.

[Chilli]

Ardie is being a little precious here

[Sandstorm]

Just how dumb is Ioane and his advisers? Rent the guy a house outside town and they can make as much noise as they like.

[Lemoentjie]

Newsflash: Kiwi rugby players are very very stupid

More at 10

[obelixtim]

Reiko was making a prick of himself with his neighbours a year or so back. Haven't heard much more about it but it caused a bit of a stink at the time. Maybe he's pulled his head in a little.

It might be that Ioane has a problem getting back in the run on team along with his 5 buddies after tonight. It sounds like the replacements took their chance with both hands and gave the Saders a damn good hiding tonight. Brown might not want to drop them next week, and they deserve to keep their slots.

Thats how rugby should work.

[Not_Couch]

That stuff article was pure nonsense and made a point of singling out many players with photos to boot. These journalists did not need to create a mountain out of a mole hill because some Karen is too chicken shit to get nose control around. Dunedin is a pathetic City, refill of students that trash the place.

[Mr Bungle]

That stuff article was pure nonsense and made a point of singling out many players with photos to boot. These journalists did not need to create a mountain out of a mole hill because some Karen is too chicken shit to get nose control around. Dunedin is a pathetic City, refill of students that trash the place.

Would seem the players were acting the Karen/cocks.

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

That stuff article was pure nonsense and made a point of singling out many players with photos to boot. These journalists did not need to create a mountain out of a mole hill because some Karen is too chicken shit to get nose control around. Dunedin is a pathetic City, refill of students that trash the place.

What a fucking stupid post.

Give yourself an uppercut you idiot.

[Not_Couch]

That stuff article was pure nonsense and made a point of singling out many players with photos to boot. These journalists did not need to create a mountain out of a mole hill because some Karen is too chicken shit to get nose control around. Dunedin is a pathetic City, refill of students that trash the place.

Would seem the players were acting the Karen/cocks.

You don't even know what transpired, were you even there???

Karen's will always be Karen's

Media jump on this crap just for headlines, congrats on falling for it.

[stemoc]

ardie is a good player but a religious nut, no difference between him and izzy folau but respect for players go only as far as they don't start mixing the two..

[Mr Bungle]

That stuff article was pure nonsense and made a point of singling out many players with photos to boot. These journalists did not need to create a mountain out of a mole hill because some Karen is too chicken shit to get nose control around. Dunedin is a pathetic City, refill of students that trash the place.

Would seem the players were acting the Karen/cocks.

You don't even know what transpired, were you even there???

Karen's will always be Karen's

Media jump on this crap just for headlines, congrats on falling for it.

I’ll tell you what is falling, Ioane’s stock as a player since he’s ramped up playing the party boi. Not the first dumb athlete to go that way. Can he turn the slump around?

[Torquemada 1420]

Newsflash: Kiwi rugby players are very very stupid

More at 10

FHs even dimmer than props?

[Torquemada 1420]

With the greatest respect, Ardie Savea, you are wrong and this is why
Paul Cully
15:35, Apr 02 2021

A lot of this is just water off a duck's back. Frankly, when you read what our female colleagues have to suffer on a regular basis the lot of the male journalist is good.

Disappointing this doesn't seem to be improving.

[Enzedder]

I’ll tell you what is falling, Ioane’s stock as a player since he’s ramped up playing the party boi. Not the first dumb athlete to go that way. Can he turn the slump around?

I think he has learned a hell of a lesson and he will have a lot to thanks Tony brown for in the future I reckon. Either that or he will be like Zac Guilford