Historically, many rugby players derive wholesome joy and build healthy camaraderie from sledging.
By insulting the heritage and virility of French, English, and other participants in the right honourable code of rugby union, rugby players have built a long-standing tradition.
In the latter days however, the usage of certain unsavoury characterisations of alleged buggery and other foul play having fallen out of favour of prevailing social normative attitudes.
Therefore, this August the ancient body takes it upon ourselves to more aptly define the correct and lovely life-affirming syntax of inclusive insults and approved sledging.
1. When in doubt, cast gentle aspersions on the possibly hetero-activities of the opponent. As in, “You hetero Dog.” Or, “You kick the ball as if you are a lover of many women of diverse backgrounds.”
2. Do not falsely claim to have made a conquest of an opponent’s relatives. However, if you have photographic or telegraphic proof, submit same to the TMO, for a pre-game ruling.
3. (Inapplicable in Ireland) Do not append or suffix the f-word to any prurient epithet, because it is needlessly and unnecessarily redundant and superfluous.
4. When playing Scottish opponents or players with demonstrable Scottish descent, do use the c-word, because it is considered endearing and complimentary, and formally polite.
5. Mix a feeling of enlightenment in with your insults. If you were going to ask if your opponent’s father isn’t at the game because he’s ashamed of his son’s terrible skills, make it plural: “Fathers.” But do not add the F-word, except in Ireland, where speaking without the use of the F-word is rude.
6. Spanish-speaking and French-speaking rugby players may speak freely.
7. Do not question patronage or IQ. Do not be literal. Assertions may be made in the past present tense, but must be framed as a hypothetical. As in, “that sound of your boots as you run up the tunnel could be confused with the hypothetical bouncing of my hypothetical scrotum against your theoretical birth mother.”
8. Add twenty-three percent of caution when David Pocock is on the pitch.
9. Preface insults with ingratiating introductions. “My good sir, thou in the colourful headgear and delicious-looking cauliflower ears. You appear to tackle like a real retrograde hetero. So butch, thou art. Would you mind if I call you a knob?”
10. Keep all geographical and private versus public school references out of sledging. A c – – is a c – – ; no matter where the c – – – lives or was born. Stay on topic. (Any aspersions on England and her rulers – alive and dead – or Owen Farrell, are excluded from censure).
11. Many men throw or kick poorly. Look at Bernard Foley. So there’s no reason to tell a weak exit kicker he “kicks like a girl.” It shall henceforth be approved to call him: “Foley.” Or “you Foleyed.” Or “Fee Fie Foley.” This term is specifically included with “Falcon,” as an authorised insult.
12. Any player calling a mark, can, however, and in some cases must be insulted by any means necessary.
13. A forward is permitted three violations of these rules per game if the target is another forward (or teammate). Forward play is brutal and we allow for that. A back is not allowed any violation. Even if a big Bastareaud.
14. The coach of Australia is also exempt; he has applied for recognition as a performance artist and is thus only doing art, when he calls referees and opponents violative terms.
15. The spirit of these laws is about respect. Try to balance negative statements with positive ones. If you call David Pocock “Gay,” then follow that with “Straight; and there’s nothing wrong with that, probably.”
16. Double entendres as abused by Kiwi and Welsh halfbacks (“Your put-in ain’t straight, hee hee”) shall no longer be permitted.
17. Wayne Barnes has written WR to state he welcomes verbal abuse: we must respect his preferences.
18. Thank you.
Thus spake World Rugby.
Insult freely within these broad parameters.
Harry Jones
Expert
Nicely done!!!!!
Harry Jones
Expert
Cheers, Pinetree and DavSA! Enjoyed writing something less-serious.
DavSA
Guest
Pinetree I fully second everything you posted with one small exception ....rather the Sharks than the Stormers .
Wobblies
Guest
My favourite of all time "four more years" has ben replaced by "never ever again". Gregan and the poor Wobblies thought their little run of parity would last forever. Now look 18months of rugby without a super win over a NZ side, 15 years of Bledisloe misery, home series white wash at the hands of a limited Pom side, smashed by Scotland home and away. Its great to be an All Blacks fan, there is not a new low for the arrogant wobblies that I will not enjoy
ethan
Guest
Harry, you write as though you are the lover of women from many diverse backgrounds. I will not speak of what I did with your sister, but suffice to say the TMO has been contacted. Luckily, your fathers believe you have terribly writing ability and are therefore not likely to be reading these comments, or they too might get upset about the TMO becoming involved. As I write this comment, the feel of my fingers gently drifting across the keyboard is similar to the way they would hypothetically drift across soft skin of your theoretical birth mother. It must be said though, you do have a marvellous beard and an excellent sense of humour, so it does surprise me that you come across as a knob. Of course all these comments I make despite the place of your birth, which for fear of tipping this diplomatic comment into the realm of disrespect I shall refrain from mentioning. I'm sure there is nothing wrong with it though.
Pinetree
Guest
This is the funniest thing I have read in a while. Very rare to see satire on PC culture, and far left politics venturing into our sports. Thanks harry for your somewhat brave article. Most sledge speech is not hate speech, and we don't want to lose that sort of freedom with our words. In fact, some gay people and minorities are the funniest sledgers around, and it would be an awful shame if we took away their free speech in order to "protect" them. Best of luck to your Stormers team, hopefully they can keep breaking records of lost home finals (hehe), and of course another title to the Crusaders!
DavSA
Guest
Late posting , work found me. The Brakpan rugby club are petitioning you for exclusion from the no punching rule. Hitting an opponent in a game is a sign of respect , male bonding and emerging bromance.
Wee Wally
Guest
He certainly hates the SH and especially the All Blacks as has refereed more Kiwi losses than all active referees combined.
Ai Ruisheng
Guest
How could anyone make any statement about Whiney Barnes that could be considered an insult or abusive?
RobC
Roar Guru
PDiv wins
Harry Jones
Expert
Thanks!
Harry Jones
Expert
Cheers, Mr Brown!
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
A smile is the best sledge when opponent is angry .... :)
Stephen Creagh
Guest
Brilliant. Laughed out loud a number of times - 'twenty-three percent of caution.....'
Harry Jones
Expert
Glad we can all still giggle
Fionn
Guest
Harry, what did he say about SARU?
Harry Jones
Expert
P-Div was underrated sledger Then he sledged his employers ....
Harry Jones
Expert
Excellent sledge, Chief PDiv sledged Hamilton well - pre-match he complained there was nothing to do there - post-Win, he corrected himself: “you can beat ABs here.”
Phil
Guest
Would "your mother wears army boots" still be allowed? Brilliant as usual,Harry.Only my keyboard has tear stains from the laughing,especially the Cheika line.
RobC
Roar Guru
Hehehehe NH vs SH - My sheep are better than your sheep - My midgets can take gravel, no problem