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Have you ever wondered why old people are cranky? Perhaps they’re in pain. Perhaps they’re frustrated their body no longer does as it is commanded.
Perhaps also, they’re fed up of seeing unnecessary changes to everyday lives, that don’t add any value to society, except fill the pockets with money of a select few individuals. Lobbyists anyone?
As I get older, I am getting crankier. Here I’m talking about the ‘All White’ playing strip. It has to be the worst playing strip in sport.
On Saturday, we had to endure the all white strip – white shirt, white shorts, white stockings – not once, but twice.
Traditionally, England’s primary playing strip is white shirt, white shorts and black stockings. At least the black stockings gives the uniform some ‘character’.
Traditionally, France’s alternate playing strip is white shirt, white shorts and red stockings. It’s a wonderful variation of their also traditional primary uniform of royal blue shirts, white shorts and red stockings.
But no, both teams had to wear all white, to appease some marketing arrangement.
There was no need for either team to wear all white.
The Romanians playing England, wore yellow shirts and red shorts, while the All Blacks wore, well, all black.
So the hideous all white had no other reason for its use than to honour some sickly marketing arrangement.
The all white strip doesn’t add value to the competition, except maybe fill the pockets of selected individuals. It’s not an improvement on the aforementioned playing strips. In fact, it’s worse! Much worse.
Besides, when you start messing with tradition, any sport will begin to lose its soul.
What is it with the modern world? Back in the days of black and white TV, fans could still separate the two teams on the screen, playing in similarly dark outfits, even with some difficulty.
Today, despite having high definition quality TV, the best that technology can provide to viewers, which easily separates the colours for the vast majority of viewers, we have entered this age where some clever-dick marketeers have seen an opportunity to make some huge money, by offering multiple alternate strips.
Some unions have gone along with this, because presumably whoever gives the okay, might also be getting a ‘kickback’. Might, I say.
Frankly, it sucks. It doesn’t add value except to some lucky individuals. And unions won’t stand up because they get an endorsement and fans are too apathetic to care.
But 20 years from now, you’ll see the old TV footage and think to yourself, “What on earth were they thinking back then, with the all white strip”?
Meanwhile, the schemers who came up with the original ploy will be laughing all the way to the bank from their luxury villa on the French Riviera or Lake Como.
Now I’m going to turn my attention to solving Middle East peace, African famine, boat people, carbon tax, the common cold and parking in my street!
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.