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I am sick of the persistent public thanking of gods by Super Rugby players whenever they score a try.
Typically there is a look upward to the stars, combined with a knowledgeable pointing of a finger in the same direction, sometimes with a kiss to a cross-festooned wrist wrap.
From a secular fan’s perspective this action is an insult to all those who contributed to the scoring of a try, and a spectacle that rugby does not need.
Thumb wrestling is an individual sport, so I can understand if a religious thumb wrestler may think that his/her god took a particular shining to them on the day they have a win. They are selling their own skill and effort down the river, and also probably back-handing their coach by attributing the win to their god, but they have probably worked out some sort of glory sharing deal beforehand.
However, rugby is a team sport. There are hours of communal blood, sweat and tears that contribute to every try scored. Players, coaches, trainers, physios, doctors, families – there are plenty of people making sacrifices to contribute to tries and winning.
To suggest that a god is ultimately responsible for a try and to salute that god publicly, in front of the team and millions of spectators, is an insult to the team. If goal kickers can kick a goal and move on, without a public thanking of a god, try scorers should do the same thing.
Rugby is one of the world’s greatest team sports, and every player should respect the effort of every member of the team which contributed toward a try. Keep gods and religions to yourself, rugby should not be a platform for zealotry. Thanking a god is unsportsmanlike and should be discouraged.
On a final note, it would be interesting to know what sponsors think of such behaviour. At what point does a sponsor become annoyed that a cross displayed on a wristband is more prominent that a paid-for logo on a jersey?
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.