Twickenham foul mouths and boo boys undermine the spirit of the game

The All Blacks perform the haka before Saturday’s Test against England at Twickenham. Photograph: Phil Walter/Getty Images
Much is being said and written about the insidious effect of television replays on major rugby occasions. It is a topical subject but only part of a bigger, more concerning picture. Set aside, for a moment, images of the poor referee struggling in technology’s grip and reflect instead on what else we saw and heard at the weekend. Could it be that the conduct of those who watch and play rugby union – and the fundamentals of respect upon which the sport is based – is changing before our eyes?

Take the Millennium Stadium. When the injured Welsh fly-half, Dan Biggar, went off after 47 minutes against Australia, on came Rhys Priestland. Now, I have met Priestland and know him to be charming, thoughtful company. He also plays in a nation which is supposed to revere its No10s. Yet sections of the crowd showed loud disapproval of the new arrival before he had even touched the ball, as if he were a hapless Cardiff City striker who had not found the net in months………………… see more at :- http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/nov/11/foul-mouths-boo-boys-twickenham-england-all-blacks