A WEEKLY COLUMN LOOKING AT TOPICS BEYOND THE SCOPE
OF OUR FEATURE MATCH OF THE WEEK
WRAP OF A WRAP
With World Cup matches coming thick and fast over the next couple of months, our pod recording schedule has to be modified. We normally kickoff the wrap pod at 8pm on a Sunday but due to Wales v Fiji we moved it up an hour. Plus, since that match was something we wanted to harp on, I had to use a time machine of sorts to get my report in! As ever both Cian O’Muilleoir and Ciarán Duffy did a bang up job going over the match be sure to check it our at this Spotify link or on whatever platform you use.
HARPIN ON…IRELAND WITH/WITHOUT SEXTON
With Sexton back on the pitch for the first time since the Grand Slam was in the bag, we had a chat for our bonus clip
DISAGREEMENT?👍DISRESPECT?👎
This week’s TikTok harpin point looks at whether or not it’s ok to analyse a referee’s performance. Since the Wales v Fiji match I’ve been hearing the “we must never criticise the ref” mantra from some surprising sources, I have to say.
In the video I mentioned one of the tweets I posted while the match was still on, for full disclosure I’m adding the other ones. Maybe, just maybe, the Oprah one is straying towards disrespectful? I don’t think so but others might.
The point is that while I know social media isn’t the be all and end all of anything, it can be a decent gauge of opinion from hard core fans and in all my years following rugby on Twitter/x I have never seen this much agreement across the board on a referee’s performance, including some Welsh fans.
Does it mean the ref in question should never hold a whistle again? I really don’t think so, and if there are to be “repercussions” I really don’t want to know. In fact he’s actually AR1 for Ireland’s next match against Tonga and I for one have no problem with that FWIW.
One last point on the video…you have no idea how close I came to taking out all the recording equipment and doing it over when I saw that curled up collar!!!! And if you haven’t noticed it yet it’s probably all you can see now!!!! Ah well….
LEINSTER PRESEASON FRIENDLY
Loads of TikToks in this week’s column, I pledged to get in front of the camera more this season, so here’s one I did Sunday morning on Leinster’s comprehensive preseason win down in Musgrave Park on Friday evening.
And as you can see I really pushed the boat out with the special effects – I tell ya, between time travel and magic jersey changes, we spare no expense here at Harpin Manor!!!!
AISLING’S RWC2023 TRAVEL GUIDES
Unfortunately there have many reports of fans having difficulties getting to matches on time, like Ireland’s opener against Romania. Obviously it’s very easy to go on social media and call the organisation (or lack of it) a “shambles” but Irish fan Aisling O’Connor has found a much more practical way forward.
I very much doubt they’ll be able to improve their transport infrastructure much in time for fan heading to matches over the coming weeks so Aisling, a former president of the Official Leinster Supporters Club and a well seasoned rugby traveller all over the world at this stage, has been posting logistical information as well as directing people how to get more. If you’re over in France or planning to travel I strongly recommend you follow her.
BIGGAR PROBLEMS
After my agreeing with most of social media over the Wales v Fiji officiating, I think I’m actually swimming against the tide when it comes to my thoughts on Dan Biggar giving his team mates a rollicking at the end of the first in the very same match.
He wanted the ball put dead but the others played on and while I do get the importance of showing a united front out on the pitch, I can also appreciate the frustration from the leadership because, let’s face it, it was absolutely right and proper that the ball needed to be put dead. I saw loads of comments directed at Dan but I think I’d be inclined to back him here. It’s a World Cup, emotions are high, you’ve just played 40m of test rugby, no matter how much experience you have it’s not always easy to switch on the filter.
SCREECHING TO THE CHOIR
I have four kids, and possibly more to the point I was one myself back in the day, so I can totally imagine how exciting a prospect it would be to be allowed to sing at a massive global event like the Rugby World Cup.
But let’s face it…while the choir might work for some national anthems like The Flower Of Scotland (remember at Murrayfield they actually stop playing instruments at one point and let everyone sing like they’re a choir anyway) the more military style ones like for Argentina and, yes, especially France, have had the life sucked out of them by the format.
Personally I’m not always the biggest fan of going too strongly into symbols of nationalism, however I don’t reckon singing anthems before international matches is too strong to begin with, and I have always been of the opinion that each nation should be able to have theirs performed in a manner of their choosing.
But anyway for this World Cup, I understand they are considering a change, and though that would be tough on those who have been looking forward to their moment in the spotlight, I think it would be the right call.
EITHER/OR FOR THE ALL BLACKS PLEASE
Speaking of performances before kickoffs, I was never a fan of the All Blacks and others getting to do extra ones when others can’t, although with the Haka, Cibi and such practically being part of the sport’s DNA at this stage it would probably be harsh to ban it altogether.
But I reckon for the All Blacks to take even more extra time to have a huddle before they did their haka ahead of the opener against France was very much taking the piss.
NEXT BATCH OF HARPIN’
Next up here at Harpin Manor we’re looking ahead to our next Pool B assignment with Tonga. There will be a preview at the end of the week, social media coverage throughout, a wrap pod on Sunday evening and all the usual extra bits in between. As well as the podcast feed we’re on X, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and Mastodon so please follow us wherever you can
And as ever, be sure to enjoy your rugby wherever you are. JLP
HARPIN' ON RUGBY 