England manager Martin Johnson has been accused of lacking the “bollocks” to deal with the fall-out from Mike Tindall’s infamous night out in Queenstown at the Rugby World Cup.
The deep divisions within the English camp have been made public after three confidential reports were leaked to The Times with allegations that some players were more interested in money than the rugby.
Under the condition of anonymity in a players union report, one took aim at the revered Johnson who captained England to their only World Cup triumph in 2003.
“We just wanted Johno to have the bollocks to take action, especially after the Tindall night,” one player said.
“He was too loyal and that was his downfall.”
Tindall, who is married to the Queen’s granddaughter Zara Phillips, was fined STG25,000 ($A40,000) and had his international career effectively terminated for his drunken night out.
He was photographed drunk alongside a former girlfriend and lied to management about his movements.
In the wake of the scandals and quarter-final exit, Johnson resigned as England manager last week and English rugby chiefs are in the process of looking for a replacement.
Another England player accused his teammates of being more focused on money than representing the nation at the sport’s showpiece event.
After being knocked out by France in the quarter-finals, one player reported another saying: “There’s 35,000 … down the toilet.”
The player said: “That made me sick. Money shouldn’t even come into a players mind.”
The Times reported a stand-off with English players threatening to boycott a pre-World Cup dinner in London over money.
“It is very disappointing that a senior group, led by the captain Lewis Moody, disputed the level of payment for the World Cup squad which led to meetings with RFU (Rugby Football Union) executives,” reported Rob Andrew, the RFU’s director of elite rugby.
“I believe this led to a further unsettling of the squad just before departure which included a threat by the squad not to attend the World Cup send-off dinner, at Twickenham.
“It suggested that some of the senior players were more focused on money than getting the rugby right.”
Colin N
Guest
"Johnson does get some compliments but it’s unclear how much people moderated their comments because they thought he might remain as team manager." Could be true, but the players were anonymous and it was meant to stay confidential to the RFU only - I'm pretty sure Johnson wouldn't have seen the report, but the RFU would have acted accordingly (well, you would hope!!) on what they found.
Freddie
Guest
Englands efforts all round were pretty pathetiic. From the resignation/sacking of the CEO of the RFU a few months before the RWC to the lack of discipline off the field, lack of ideas on the field, illegal ball changing right down to the black shirts with the numbers falling off. The biggest mistake of course was made 4 years ago when a completely inexperienced coach with no track record in coaching was expected to perform at international level.
Rugby Fan
Roar Guru
We are certainly hearing a lot - and I'm lapping it all up in a ghoulish fashion - but it's not clear how much it helps us understand "the truth". Every party appears to have brought their own grievances and hang-ups to the table, made worse because of the pervasive sense of failure (which isn't really shared by any of the other teams which didn't make it through the quarter final stage). Johnson does get some compliments but it's unclear how much people moderated their comments because they thought he might remain as team manager. Also, as Brian Moore and other journalists have pointed out, Johnson can't escape censure entirely if the coaching set-up really was badly at fault. He had options to change it.
Colin N
Guest
True, but at least we actually get to hear the truth and hear how apparently incompetent the likes of Ford, Smith and Wells actually are. It virtually makes their jobs untenable. Despite the article headline, I actually felt Johnson received less criticism than the other management team. I still think there is an air of respect for him within the team, unlike the others with the exception of Rowntree.
Eric
Guest
Maybe Tom Greaves, but the team results and comments from dedicated players like Jonny W, showed they didn't train as hard as they partied.
Hansie
Guest
Leaking this report was a pretty nasty effort. I doubt the players will be so enthusiastic about cooperating with future reviews. The relationship between players and executives/board members would be further strained.
Tom Greaves
Guest
Lacked the bollocks!? I'd say Johnson took the view that it was what it was: storm in a tea cup. As usual, the media's incompetence has resulted in another rumor mill that needlessly threatens player reputations. In a perfect world, Johnson and Tindall would have said to the media, 'F#%k off and mind your own business fellas, we're off to training'. Less gossip, more rugby thanks guys. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Pablo
Guest
This issue of allegedly putting money before honour is somewhat galling, and I empathise with the player making the allegations. However, this sort of behaviour should have been predictable when the game went full on professional. Even when the game was half-arsed amateur, there wasn't this sort thing going on. Although I am happy-ish to move forward with professional rugby (and professional sport in general), albeit with some reservations, there was a lot to be said for amateurism IMO. Hey, 35,000 is a lot of money in any man's language, if this is correct, especially if this is how you make your living, but these guys are in a privileged position doing what most of us would happily do for nothing.
Bayxxx
Guest
How long is the risible rob going to be able to sit there taking the decisions and declaring that he has no responsibility....? Almost as daft as Hilditch. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.