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Ashton Hewitt applauds Luther Burrell for speaking out against racism

By PA
(Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)

Dragons player Ashton Hewitt has applauded Luther Burrell after the former England centre spoke out against racism in rugby union.

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The Rugby Football Union and Premiership Rugby both apologised to Burrell, who said racism was “rife” in the sport.

Newport-born Hewitt, whose father is British-Jamaican, had previously talked of racist abuse he has received.

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In an interview with the Daily Mail, Burrell – who has played for clubs including Leeds, Sale, Northampton and Newcastle, plus Warrington in rugby league – spoke about dressing room racial “banter” that has “become normal” and “needs to be addressed”, including receiving comments about bananas, fried chicken and slavery and being greeted with a racial slur.

Hewitt said on Twitter: “I hope this opens the eyes of those who think rugby is exempt from social issues.

“Huge respect to @lutherburrell for the honesty.

“Hopefully it encourages others to not accept racism like so many of us have felt we have to.”

Burrell added that he will “never name names but it’s gone on for too long”, and expressed his hope that speaking out would lead to change.

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He said: “My son and daughter, three and five, are mixed race. Would I be happy with them getting the same racial “banter” from their friends? Of course not.

“There are numerous players in numerous environments who have experienced it. It needs to be spoken about. Maybe it will empower the next generation to call it out and force change.”

Former England and British and Irish Lions wing Ugo Monye is chair of an independent diversity and inclusion advisory group that was established by the RFU last year.

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Monye tweeted: “Bravo @lutherburrell couldn’t of been easy for you. Unfortunately a familiar tale with some uncomfortable truths.”

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RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney, meanwhile, said he had spoken with Burrell “to see if we can learn from his experience and possibly work with him as an advocate of change”.

And Premiership Rugby chief executive Simon Massie-Taylor said: “I have spoken with Luther to apologise for what he has experienced and to offer support.

“While there is a lot of positive activity in the area of equality, diversity and inclusion, this is a reminder of how far we still need to go.”

The Rugby Players’ Association also offered support for Burrell in a statement released on behalf of the RPA and RPA diversity and inclusion board.

“We applaud Luther Burrell for his decision to talk out about the racism he has encountered during his playing career,” the statement read.

“We have spoken to him and he knows he has our full support moving forward.

“There is no place for the language used against Luther, and the attitudes that reveals, either in rugby or broader society.

“His honest revelations only highlight the game’s need for meaningful conversations and education on what positive inclusive cultures should be.”

Northampton said they were “saddened and appalled” to read about their former player’s claims, but added he had not experienced any racist abuse during his time at the club.

Saints’ chief executive Mark Darbon said: “Everyone at Northampton Saints was saddened and appalled to read Luther Burrell’s comments published yesterday, detailing the racist abuse he has experienced during his playing career.

“The club condemns all forms of discrimination, and yesterday reached out to Luther to offer our support and applaud his bravery in speaking out.

“We were reassured during our conversation that Luther did not experience any racial abuse during his time at Northampton Saints. The Club will continue its ongoing work to make sure that Franklin’s Gardens remains an inclusive environment for all Northampton players, staff and supporters.”

Saints added they had invited Burrell to return to Franklin’s Gardens “to contribute towards the Diversity and Inclusion projects already being delivered by the club.

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B
BeamMeUp 9 minutes ago
The Springboks have something you don't have

A few comments. Firstly, I am a Bok fan and it's been a golden period for us. I hope my fellow Bok fans appreciate this time and know that it cannot last forever, so soak it all in!


The other thing to mention (and this is targeted at Welsh, English and even Aussie supporters who might be feeling somewhat dejected) is that it's easy to forget that just before Rassie Erasmus took over in 2018, the Boks were ranked 7th in the world and I had given up hope we'd ever be world beaters again.


Sport is a fickle thing and Rassie and his team have managed to get right whatever little things it takes to make a mediocre team great. I initially worried his methods might be short-lived (how many times can you raise a person's commitment by talking about his family and his love of his country as a motivator), but he seems to have found a way. After winning in 2019 on what was a very simple game plan, he has taken things up ever year - amazing work which has to be applauded! (Dankie Rassie! Ons wardeer wat jy vir die ondersteuners en die land doen!) (Google translate if you don't understand Afrikaans! 😁)


I don't think people outside South Africa fully comprehend the enormity of the impact seeing black and white, English, Afrikaans and Xhosa and all the other hues playing together does for the country's sense of unity. It's pure joy and happiness.


This autumn tour has been a bit frustrating in that the Boks have won, but never all that convincingly. On the one hand, I'd like to have seen more decisive victories, BUT what Rassie has done is expose a huge number of players to test rugby, whilst also diversifying the way the Boks play (Tony Brown's influence).


This change of both style and personnel has resulted in a lack of cohesion at times and we've lost some of the control, whereas had we been playing our more traditional style, that wouldn't happen. This is partially attributable to the fact that you cannot play Tony Brown's expansive game whilst also having 3 players available at every contact point to clear the defence off the ball. I have enjoyed seeing the Boks play a more exciting, less attritional game, which is a boring, albeit effective spectacle. So, I am happy to be patient, because the end justifies the means (and I trust Rassie!). Hopefully all these players we are blooding will give us incredible options for substitutions come next year's Rugby Championship and of course, the big prize in 2027.


Last point! The game of rugby has never been as exciting as it is now. Any of Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Argentina, Scotland, England & Australia can beat one another. South Africa may be ranked #1, but I wouldn't bet my house in them beating France or New Zealand, and we saw Argentina beating both South Africa and New Zealand this year! That's wonderful for the game and makes the victories we do get all the sweeter. Each win is 100% earned. Long may it last!


Sorry for the long post! 🏉🌍

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