Dobbo: Rugby 'feels a little bit lost'
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While emphasising the great opportunity the DHL Stormers have playing in the Investec Champions Cup, John Dobson is worried about the erosion of rugby’s traditional values.
The Stormers face Harlequins in round 2 of the EPCR competition at Twickenham Stoop on Saturday. Dobson's men lost to Toulon in Gqeberha last week, while Harlequins are also looking to bounce back after going down to Racing 92 away from home.
Speaking to The Guardian in the build-up to the EPCR clash at Welford Road, director of rugby Dobson voiced his concerns on the state of the sport.
“It feels like we’re in a curious space with some of rugby’s values,” he said. “I’m sounding very old fashioned now, but lying down to try and get the TMO involved? Not speaking to the opposition?
“I think we’ve all, South Africa included, trampled over rugby’s values a little bit over the last little while. It just feels like the sport is a little bit lost.”
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Drawing from his unique background – which includes degrees in law, business administration, and creative writing – Dobson highlighted the diminishment of post-match camaraderie.
“When I started with the Stormers, some guys weren’t showering after matches. They were just getting into their tracksuits and going home. I said: ‘Jeepers, if we don’t like people here enough to have a cold drink with them afterwards we’re in trouble’.”
Reflecting on last week’s match against Toulon, he questioned the lack of cultural exchange: “We played a Champions Cup game in a beautiful city and I didn’t speak to one Frenchman. How is it possible that guys can come from another continent and we don’t even say hello to them? It’s really odd.
“I’m old school. I like that side of the game. A lot of those old values… I reckon that’s where the future of rugby could be.”
Despite fielding a potentially weakened team due to crippling injuries this week, Dobson remains determined: “We’ll put up a fight in Harlequins, we’re not coming to get our tummies tickled.”
Photo: www.inpho.ie
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