Sunday Social: Horse riding, tributes and a shout-out
It is time for Planet Rugby’s Sunday Social, your quirky recap of the serious and not so serious talking points from the past week’s action.
We kick off in New Zealand where All Blacks legend Ma’a Nonu celebrated a rare win for his new team, Ngati Porou East Coast – who ended a 54-game losing streak by beating Buller in the Heartland Championship – on the back of a horse after the game in Ruatoria.
ATN @WorldPressPhoto. The search for the greatest photo from 2021 is over.
CREDIT: @GettySport / @maavelous pic.twitter.com/qwx8j9hAk9
— Bunnings NPC (@BunningsNPC) October 16, 2021
Meanwhile, we salute Ireland and Munster outside back Keith Earls, who showed incredible strength and courage when he opened up on his mental health battle.
"Thankfully the last couple of years I've got a great hold on it"@KeithEarls87 shares his story of being diagnosed with Bipolar 2, the negative voice in his head he calls 'Hank', and how he reached out and asked for help.#LateLate pic.twitter.com/2E4VcAW9Lr
— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) October 15, 2021
Staying on the Emerald Isle, where Irish Rugby remembered Munster and Ireland great Anthony Foley on the five-year anniversary of his passing.
Five years on and we still miss this man.
His family, friends and team mates are in our thoughts today.
Rest in peace Axel. #SUAF #RIP #IrishRugby pic.twitter.com/hSVxsUVj1Y
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) October 16, 2021
There was a nice touch from Connacht as well when they also paid tribute to Foley ahead of their United Rugby Championship derby against Munster on Saturday.
A lovely gesture from @connachtrugby as Jack Carty presents captain Peter O'Mahony with a special 'Axel 8' jersey on the five-year anniversary of Anthony Foley's tragic passing ❤️💚#Axel #RugbyFamily #MUNvCON pic.twitter.com/vV9TsRFvuq
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) October 16, 2021
Heading over to the Premiership, where Leicester Tigers captain Ellis Genge reckons the team’s excellent form is even making fellow prop Dan Cole happy.
Coleys happy, that’s all that matters. Thank you for the travelling faithful and all the support from home, you guys have been incredible. pic.twitter.com/kEtqLy6T8p
— Gengey (@EllisGenge) October 16, 2021
Staying with the front-row theme and these youngsters deserve plenty of credit for coming up with this innovative way of practising their scrummaging.
Where there’s a will there’s a way!💪😁👌 #lovescrumming pic.twitter.com/JdJtoAbDID
— BJ Botha (@BJBotha) October 14, 2021
Elsewhere, there was a special tribute in Christchurch for Hawke’s Bay hooker Ash Dixon, who received a goodbye Haka from his team-mates after their triumph against Canterbury.
Sayonara Ash.
Good luck in Japan, you will be missed! pic.twitter.com/5Kv14DCfpE— Sky Sport NZ (@skysportnz) October 16, 2021
Meanwhile, based on the evidence in this video, All Blacks full-back Jordie Barrett needs to work very hard at improving his golf skills.
There was plenty of positive reaction to World Rugby’s recent decision to allow players to wear tights or leggings at all levels of the game and the BallCarrier guys reminded us that it’s nothing new to the sport.
If you think leggings don’t belong in rugby you need to check your history books… pic.twitter.com/RUgJW3Hga5
— BallCarrier (@BallCarrier_) October 13, 2021
Although it’s highly unlikely that rugby’s referees will revert to their former attire.
Also damn, look at how refs used to dress.
We reckon @WayneBarnesRef could rock this look though don’t you think @pollybarnes_!? pic.twitter.com/8A5cyGteNV
— BallCarrier (@BallCarrier_) October 13, 2021
And finally, there was a special shout-out and request for Squidge Rugby from Chilean hooker Raimundo Martinez following his team’s shock victory over Canada in their recent Rugby World Cup 2023 qualifier.
And a huge shout out to Chile’s Raimundo Martinez, too. pic.twitter.com/hAm9a2P6RB
— Squidge Rugby (@SquidgeRugby) October 14, 2021