Alesana Tuilagi Fined Over Mouth-Guard

[William18]

Wow. That is just ridiculous. Who even notices the mouth-guard's brand anyway?

 

[Kiwiwomble]

the IRB probably pay someone to look for that stuff....sad really

 

[Siva Tau]

Fasi the IRB

 

[Larksea]

IRB are a joke.

You would think Rugby belonged to the Unions, people, players and fans who are involved in the game. But no, it belongs to a bunch of bureaucrats and lawyers and they sell it off to the highest bidder and manipulate it to suit their own wants.

 

[Siva Tau]

I might seriously be time a breakaway organisation is established to run rugby better than these gurkins. Aus, SA, NZ its time

 

[smartcooky]

Look I can understand where the IRB has given exclusive rights to, say, a Global Freighting Company company like DHL (which they have). They would not want to have a competing Global Freighting company such as Fedex doing some "ambush marketing" by sponsoring the USA Eagles with a jersey logo with FEDEX in 6in high letters.

But in the case of Tonga, the IRB did not have any official betting agency as a sponsor, a world-wide partner or an official supplier. There was no reason in the world not to allow Tonga to be sponsored by Paddy Power, because it clashed with no-one.

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.

You may remember this

This happened at a Bledisloe Cup test in 2002. Telecom was a major sponsor of the Cup, and Vodafone (Vodacom in your country) paid a couple of people to streak painted up with the Logo.

Even though they had to pay NZ$100,000 to a campaign to reduce sports injuries and publish an apology in newspapers, it was still very cheap publicity, that got a LOT of attention at the time.

 

[Tricia McMillan]

But in the case of Tonga, the IRB did not have any official betting agency as a sponsor, a world-wide partner or an official supplier. There was no reason in the world not to allow Tonga to be sponsored by Paddy Power, because it clashed with no-one.

Unless they objected to the principle of betting agency sponsorship, but I don't believe the IRB has ever made an official statement for or against the advertisement of gambling.

 

[ranger]

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.

You know what will happen though? The IRB will say that Tuilagi has generated money from a sponsor (seen as the fine is on him and the money would go from the company to him and then the IRB), and then they will just fine him again or kick him out of the tournament.

The IRB are a pack of ***** really.

 

[smartcooky]

Unless they objected to the principle of betting agency sponsorship, but I don't believe the IRB has ever made an official statement for or against the advertisement of gambling.

That cannot be the case, becasue they did have an official betting agency sponsor at the 2003 RWC. It was "Super Odds"

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.

You bet it does. This was the perfect time for this to come out, just beautifully backing up Tew's statement. You have to wonder if he knew about this in advance, and timed his statement accordingly

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

You are not here in NZ, but I can promise you I have seen the inside of the official box at Eden Park where the IRB delegates are catered for (Its not what you know, its who you know!)

It brings a fresh meaning to the word "opulent"

BTW, you forgot to mention the G&T's that go with the prawn sammies!!

 

[Tricia McMillan]

That cannot be the case, becasue they did have an official betting agency sponsor at the 2003 RWC. It was "Super Odds"

Ah okay, I didn't remember that for some reason.

 

[kovana]

I shall not be trolled by the IRB.. :x