Alesana Tuilagi Fined Over Mouth-Guard

[Gavin]

Alesana Tuilagi is fined $10,000 for wearing a branded mouth-guard

Seriously do the IRB not have anything better to do?

 

[Tricia McMillan]

Is the IRB turning into FIFA?

I pray to God they aren't.

 

[Me 1]

That is just wrong

 

[TRF_Olyy]

That is an absolute f****ing joke.

Seriously, that is just ridiculous.



Literally every player from every team should go out for their next match with Nike logos and McDonalds logos etc. drawn all over their arms and legs

 

[monkeypigeon]

Refuse to pay it. Simple as.

If they try to ban him, do the french thing where they say it's unnecesarly denying him his livelihood.

If it's a contractual duty, well I don't know where the contract was formed but it'll be chucked out as an Unconsionable Bargain.

It's ludicrous.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

My mind is literally blown.

And then the English staffers who tampered with the balls during the Romania game get away with only 'in-house' action and the IRB say that's fine. Just shows you where their interests are; 100% after the money and basta with the rest.

 

[Gavin]

Exactly my thinking Stormer; Samoa (I poor rugby nation in relative terms) gets fined $10,000 while England, who try to do something which may actually affect the game (not that I think there is anything wrong with requesting a perfect ball), don't get fined at all.

 

[smartcooky]

Is the IRB turning into FIFA?

I pray to God they aren't.

Its too late, Tricia, they are already worse then FIFA. At least they allow nations to retain some of their sponsors.

And if you think that is bad, have a read of this post by Ranger, about the way the IRB shafted Tonga in the 2007 RWC

http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...the-excuses-in&p=451821&viewfull=1#post451821

 

[Tricia McMillan]

Its too late, Tricia, they are already worse then FIFA. At least they allow nations to retain some of their sponsors.

And if you think that is bad, have a read of this post by Ranger, about the way the IRB shafted Tonga in the 2007 RWC

http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...the-excuses-in&p=451821&viewfull=1#post451821

That makes me sad to read.

I have a new opinion on the IRB now... I should have known better, I thought they cared about expanding and spreading the game throughout the world, contrary to FIFA who I viewed to line their pockets with their dominance as the most popular sport.

 

[Peat]

I'd be interested in seeing how much money the IRB get from their RWC sponsors for exclusivity. There's no way of knowing of course but I wouldn't be surprised to learn that it ends up in a fair bit of cash - of which a sizeable amount goes into the pockets of the tier 2 nations.

I'm not a massive fan of blanket sponsor bans to say the least but I wonder if people would be happy to see the amounts given to the likes of Samoa reduced by x so that Tuilagi can have his mouthguard...

edit: For all I know, it wouldn't be much extra cash. Or they could work it back from other sponsors. But I don't think its an entirely disregardable point.

 

[monkeypigeon]

I'd be interested in seeing how much money the IRB get from their RWC sponsors for exclusivity. There's no way of knowing of course but I wouldn't be surprised to learn that it ends up in a fair bit of cash - of which a sizeable amount goes into the pockets of the tier 2 nations.

I'm not a massive fan of blanket sponsor bans to say the least but I wonder if people would be happy to see the amounts given to the likes of Samoa reduced by x so that Tuilagi can have his mouthguard...

Fine is disproportional and see Smart Cookie's link to Ranger's comment...

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I'd be interested in seeing how much money the IRB get from their RWC sponsors for exclusivity. There's no way of knowing of course but I wouldn't be surprised to learn that it ends up in a fair bit of cash - of which a sizeable amount goes into the pockets of the tier 2 nations.

I'm not a massive fan of blanket sponsor bans to say the least but I wonder if people would be happy to see the amounts given to the likes of Samoa reduced by x so that Tuilagi can have his mouthguard...

edit: For all I know, it wouldn't be much extra cash. Or they could work it back from other sponsors. But I don't think its an entirely disregardable point.

A fair point but one can only speculate unless the numbers are on the table.

 

[Saintjay]

I think this thread in some ways supports the NZRU reasons on asking to make money on sponsors and that a lot of people are losing out because of the IRB.

It seem they have set there stance as to wanting full control over money and commercial rights. I am sure they will argue that all the money should go into a central pot to be diveded up for the growth of the game in tier 2 - 3 nations, not to individuals or Unions.

I am sure none of it goes on prawn sandwhiches, nice hotels for IRB members and first class travel to the WRC,

 

[Peat]

Fine is disproportional and see Smart Cookie's link to Ranger's comment...

Quite possible that the fine is the same size as a penalty clause in one of the sponsor's contracts for other logos appearing. I don't know, I never will, but as such am not going to be making too many judgements. Likewise, I don't know if the IRB communicated clearly with the players and teams before hand about sanctions should they promote other brands there.

And I read it. Some of its clearly dickish from the IRB. Some of it isn't. Again, I don't know what percentage of Tonga's take (and that of other tier 2 countries) came from exclusive sponsorship deals. I don't know how much they fund them overall. It could well be the IRB are lying through their teeth about the funding they give tier 2 and 3 countries. But it could be they're telling the truth that they give a lot with most of it coming from the World Cup. Seems more likely tbh. I imagine their records are around somewhere if I really cared that much. All the things I've seen people complain about - endorsements, funny tv times, lack of rest periods, its aimed at making money... and yes, a lot of it gets no further than the nearest bar I imagine, but equally a lot does go to the poorer rugby countries. Or so I'm told. I'd rather money went to poorer unions than to well paid players.

This is of course mainly based on speculation.

 

[psychic duck]

remember the Paddy Power Tongans in 2007? :lol:

Epi Taione aka Paddy Power

 

[Peat]

A fair point but one can only speculate unless the numbers are on the table.

Agreed, and those numbers will never be public knowledge, so it will only ever be speculation.

There's no doubting this is a shitty situation. But I don't know the full story, so I'm going to sit on the fence.

 

[Shaggy]

Wouldn't they be better to fine players for NOT wearing mouth guards ... i'm pretty sure I saw one of the American props come on as a replacement in one of the recent games, without one.

Honestly, I never noticed any sponsors brand on that mouth guard of Tuilagi's during any of the matches he's played, and fining him/Samoa, is just drawing attention to it anyway

 

[TNT88]

What a joke.

Hopefully this nonsense is the final coffin in their insane advertising rules.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

It might be a smart marketing move for the company 'advertised' by Tuilagi to come to the rescue and foot the bill; they'd be garaunteed some very good exposure in rugby media.

 

[lucky number 7]

It might be a smart marketing move for the company 'advertised' by Tuilagi to come to the rescue and foot the bill; they'd be garaunteed some very good exposure in rugby media.

Great Idea that.

IRB were pure scumbags in their treatment to Tonga. I don't know what the story is with them but to fine Tuilangi 10'000 ...he's not poor by any means but he's not on bloody footballers wages either...IRB can go F**k themselves I reckon.