Danny Cipriani's opinion on diving in rugby has divided fans
Rugby NewsThursday, 08 June 2023 at 16:18
Former England fly-half Danny Cipriani has ignited a fiery Twitter debate by proposing that diving or simulation might be regarded as a component of the dramatic "theatre" of rugby union.
Get your tickets to the Rugby World Cup matches at viagogo, the world’s leading ticket marketplace. Find out how by clicking here.
Lately, discussions have emerged regarding diving or simulation in rugby union, as instances in the Guinness Six Nations and Gallagher Premiership have been cited to indicate the possible encroachment of this practice into the sport.
There were a number of noticeable instances during the Six Nations, including Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton and Wales' Liam Williams.
Cipriani took to Twitter to voice his opinion on the matter, saying: “If we use rugby to pretend we are better than everyone else and enforce a moral compass, our sport will crumble.
"It is a game. It is theatre. When footballers go down it’s all part of the action. Let’s stop judging and start enjoying.”
He added: “As a sport, we try to take a moral high ground. The majority of defence coaches teach ways to slow the game down (cheat) or is it tactics? We may not like it but trying to act better than everyone else is breaking our sport.
“I’m not saying that everyone should be diving. It happens once in a blue moon. But late hits, nonsense happening in rucks and mauls to gain an advantage which is all part of it is accepted. It’s like going down with a sinking ship sticking to this moral high ground!
“The sport is crumbling before our eyes. Participation is down. Clubs are going bankrupt. Yet we want to say soccer is the lowest level? Anything to do with class? Soccer is a far more honest sport than rugby.”
“Creeping in” – Worst dives of 2023 includes Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell
#1. Owen Farrell (Saracens vs Harlequins)
An Owen Farrell dive was one of the only low points on a fantastic day of rugby at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
One fan wrote: “Owen Farrell’s football dive,”
A second commented: “Yes that is a card, but Owen Farrell has absolutely milked that. Embarrassing.”
Another said: “Owen Farrell gone down like a footballer there. Embarrassing,”
Owen Farrell dive:
#2. Johnny Sexton (Wales vs Ireland)
The yellow card given to Liam Williams for making contact with the head of Ireland’s playmaker Sexton during their Six Nations clash sparked controversy on the internet.
eacting to the incident, one fan wrote: “Sexton play acted a head injury. Blatant cheating.”
A second wrote: “That Liam Williams yellow card shows why rugby will be dead in a few years – nothing wrong with Liams body shape and Sexton play acting sums up how rugby has drastically changed for the worse. It’s a mockery to the real injuries.”
Another commented: “Sexton winks after getting another fellow professional a card by his simulation of injury and as always gets up to take the resulting penalty. This will destroy the spectacle that is International rugby.”
A fourth said: “Another football injury/tactic from Johnny Sexton. He does it too many times.”
Wink from Sexton:
#3. Damien Penaud (France vs Wales)
The France winger was universally slammed after he took a ‘dive’ against Wales in the final round of the 2023 Six Nations.
One fan wrote: “Get up, Penaud. If you want to dive like that, go to the Parc des Princes. Berk.”
A second commented: "Pathetic from Penaud,"
Another said: "That is embarrassing from Penaud,"
A fourth wrote: "Penaud is a fantastic player. Made himself look like a massive fanny there. Twat."
Damien Penaud dive:
#4. Liam Williams (Wales vs Ireland)
The Wales fullback hit the deck pretty dramatically after the littlest of contact from Ireland lock Iain Henderson.
One fan wrote: "Liam Williams going for a career change in acting."
Another said: "Liam Williams.... I've seen better acting on stage!"
A third wrote: "Liam Williams been hanging out with footballers?"
"For a hard man ex-scaffolder - Liam Williams folded himself up like a deckchair at the slightest of touches. What a dirty diving cheat!!!" commented a fourth.
Another said: "Can somebody tell Liam Williams it’s not soccer he’s playing. Gobshite"
Liam Williams dive:
TRENDING
LATEST NEWS
LATEST COMMENTS
Loading
