Storm erupts over former international's comments on women's rugby

A former Ireland international backrow has caused a storm after taking to social media to air controversial views about women’s rugby.

David Corkery’s comments come as the Women’s Rugby World Cup is taking place in Ireland.

Writing on Facebook, Corkery says that women playing rugby is ‘not what God intended’.

“Personally, I find watching the women’s game complicated and arduous to watch,” wrote Corkery.

“I think we all partly watch rugby because of the physical battles it produces. The big hits, the powerful runs, the struggle at the scrum and so on, however I simply do not like watching ladies knocking lumps out of each other, and before any women’s pro right campaigners start circling the wagons and looking to burn me at the stake, this is only an opinion.

“Maybe I’m just getting old but when I see women partake in any kind of confrontational and aggressive behaviourisms, it just doesn’t sit right with me.

“When god (if there is one) created women, he didn’t do so with the intention for them to be smashed in a tackle or punched in the face.”

Corkery goes on to write that he doesn’t think women’s rugby is as entertaining as the men’s game.

“I also think the ladies game lacks the same kind of entertainment value that the men’s version offers albeit, there are some male games where you would be better off watching the grass grow in your front lawn such are the ridged restrictions placed on today’s players by their coaches.

“I fully realise that the women’s game is still very much in its infancy in terms of growth in this country and that in order for it to develop and flourish there needs to be a major increase in funding from the various governing unions. Unfortunately, this is something that is not going to happen anytime soon because of the ever-increasing running costs that are associated with the men’s professional game.

“The professional game has already severely tarnished the amateur club game in this country and unless the women’s code can generate a massive surge in support, funding and most importantly television viewing figures, it is highly unlikely that the IRFU will put in place a progressive grass roots system that will allow females obtain the skills they need.

“At this stage, it is imperative to remind people that accountants now run the game in most countries and unless teams, be they male or female, can generate surplice revenue, they will be viewed as unwanted baggage.
Regrettably the game is now a business.

Corkey concludes by saying: “I will not be attending any of the games but I will watch Ireland’s progress with intrigue and I wish Tom and his girls all the very best.”

His post has caused an uproar among supporters of the women’s rugby.

https://twitter.com/nakedadventurer/status/895576720497139714

https://twitter.com/RebexB09/status/895389528965480448

David Corkery is, of course, entitled to his opinion.

I am equally entitled to mine – namely, that he's a sexist asshole.

— Eric Fitzgerald. ?? ????? (@mrericfitz) August 9, 2017

https://twitter.com/Stephen__Hillis/status/895369877824958467

Some, however, agreed with Corkery’s views.

https://twitter.com/mc_padraic/status/895220289117794308

David Corkery is a retired Irish rugby union player. In his career, playing largely as a blindside, he played for Cork Constitution, Munster and Bristol, as well as winning 27 caps for Ireland between 1994 and 1999.