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Go easy on the England players, they're not the first RWC team to take off medals

Owen Farrell receives his silver medals

The reaction to some of the England team refusing to wear their silver medals after the Rugby World Cup final has been staggering over the past few days.

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After falling to South Africa 32-12 in Yokohama on Saturday, the England team have seemingly been called all the names under the sun for not wearing their medals around their neck.

While the team have been defended by some, Eddie Jones’ side have largely been treated with disdain.
But footage has been shared on Twitter by Phil Llewellyn of past runners-up having the exact same reaction as the England team.

In 2003, locks Justin Harrison and Matt Cobain, as well as Stirling Mortlock did not put their medals on, while others took theirs off as they walked away. In 2015, David Pocock is seen not wearing his medal either, but managed to avoid the scorn the English players have received.

https://twitter.com/philllewellyn/status/1191432379467886592?s=20

The common denominator with this England team and the 03 Wallabies is Jones, who coached both sides. Perhaps this is an indication of the mentality that he inculcates into his players, and the belief that he gives them. Although many have described that attitude as being sore losers.

What does seem to be clear is that England did not become the first side to do this, and the entire ordeal may be a case of England-bashing more than anything else. While this may all seem quite trivial to some, the backlash has been immense, despite it being fairly common after all.

The fans at this Rugby World Cup have been nothing but incredible. We made a video looking at some of the highlights of this incredible World Cup for our team that were reporting live from Japan. #RugbyWorldCup

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M
MA 21 minutes ago
How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions

In regards to Mack Hansen, Tuipoloto and others who talent wasnt 'seen'..

If we look at acting, soccer and cricket as examples, Hugh Jackman, the Heminsworths in acting; Keith Urban in Nashville, Mike Hussey and various cricketers who played in UK and made the Australian team; and many soccer players playing overseas.


My opinion is that perhaps the ' 'potential' or latent talent is there, but it's just below the surface.


ANd that decision, as made by Tane Edmed, Noah, Will Skelton to go overseas is the catalyst to activate the latent and bring it to the surface.


Based on my personal experience of leaving Oz and spending 14 months o/s, I was fully away from home and all usual support systems and past memories that reminded me of the past.


Ooverseas, they weren't there. I had t o survive, I could invent myself as who I wanted, and there was no one to blame but me.


It bought me alive, focused my efforts towards what I wanted and people largely accepted me for who I was and how I turned up.


So my suggestion is to make overseas scholarships for younger players and older too so they can benefit from the value offered by overseas coaching acumen, established systems, higher intensity competition which like the pressure that turns coal into diamonds, can produce more Skeltons, Arnold's, Kellaways and the like.


After the Lion's tour say, create 20 x $10,000 scholarships for players to travel and play overseas.


Set up a HECS style arrangement if necessary to recycle these funds ongoingly.


Ooverseas travel, like parenthood or difficult life situations brings out people's physical and emotional strengths in my own experiences, let's use it in rugby.

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