Not a whinge or a triumphalist post, but I have to say what a breath of fresh air yesterday's Ireland v. Samoa match and some of the after interviews were.
Before being red-carded, Bundi Aki went to the player his tackle had felled and shook his hand. His countryman, on his back being attended to by a medic, seemed accepting of his handshake/apology/ good wishes. Some of Bundi's countrymen seemed sympathetic to his dismissal and slapped his shoulder as he departed the pitch and seemed to go out of their way to contact him after the final whistle. Both Bundi and his captain, the magnificent Rory Best, seemed to make little or no protest when the ref explained the officials' views and his decision. They took the outcome with dignity - no whingeing or whining.
After the match, Samoan head coach Steve Jackson was very generous, gentlemanly and sporting in his comments and his hopes that this was not the end of Bundi's world cup participation. In the era of professionalism, sponsorship, big money and neighbours stabbing each other in the back in pursuit of more moolah, it was great to see humanity, understanding and sportsmanship to the fore.
Well done everyone. Cynics, cheats and mealy-mouthed managers please take note, what we saw was sport, rugby at its best. A special "Well done" to the magnificent Samoan players, officials and their supporters.
Before being red-carded, Bundi Aki went to the player his tackle had felled and shook his hand. His countryman, on his back being attended to by a medic, seemed accepting of his handshake/apology/ good wishes. Some of Bundi's countrymen seemed sympathetic to his dismissal and slapped his shoulder as he departed the pitch and seemed to go out of their way to contact him after the final whistle. Both Bundi and his captain, the magnificent Rory Best, seemed to make little or no protest when the ref explained the officials' views and his decision. They took the outcome with dignity - no whingeing or whining.
After the match, Samoan head coach Steve Jackson was very generous, gentlemanly and sporting in his comments and his hopes that this was not the end of Bundi's world cup participation. In the era of professionalism, sponsorship, big money and neighbours stabbing each other in the back in pursuit of more moolah, it was great to see humanity, understanding and sportsmanship to the fore.
Well done everyone. Cynics, cheats and mealy-mouthed managers please take note, what we saw was sport, rugby at its best. A special "Well done" to the magnificent Samoan players, officials and their supporters.