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Tunnel or funnel: Leinster's official statement after claims players 'disrespected' Cardiff
By Sam Smith
Cardiff’s last gasp 29-27 win over Leinster was a huge upset at Cardiff Arms Park, with the URC heavyweights suffering just their second defeat of the season and first loss to Cardiff in 11 years.
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The Welsh club wildly celebrated their victory in front of a delirious crowd as a clutch 45-metre penalty by Jarrod Evans in the 83rd minute sailed through the uprights.
However after the celebrations died down, Cardiff fans begun to fume over suggestions that Leinster’s players failed to appropriately congratulate their opponents by forming a tunnel to clap them off as a show of good sportsmanship.
The rumours that began circulating online from bystanders at the ground that the visitors failed to perform the tunnel and that forced Leinster Rugby to issue an official statement in response:
“We have seen some commentary that we disrespected Cardiff Rugby players at the final whistle,” the statement read.
“With thanks to PremierSports TV a short clip posted below. Congratulations to Dai and his team. A great contest for the full 80!”
We have seen some commentary that we disrespected @Cardiff_Rugby players at the final whistle – with thanks to @PremierSportsTV a short clip posted below.
Congratulations to Dai and his team.
A great contest for the full 80! 🤝#CARvLEI #URC pic.twitter.com/TZwVBSpTe0
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) January 29, 2022
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The Welsh fans were not convinced that Leinster’s players formed an appropriate tunnel, with their attempt being labelled ‘more of a funnel’. One fan asked ‘would it be possible for more video evidence’ to prove the entire team participated in the tunnel.
i was there. Cardiff did a tunnel but then Leinster didnt.
— Dr Paul McDonald (@Drpaulmcdonald2) January 29, 2022
Hmm…doesn’t look like a tunnel to me. Clearly much wider at the top gradually narrowing towards the bottom. What we are looking at here is an extremely disrespectful…”funnel”. 🤨
— Joe (@joesummer100) January 29, 2022
If you are complaining about the Tunnel that leinster players did not apparently do at the end of the game for Cardiff Rugby players after Cardiff Rughy just beat them have a strong word with yourself for the love of God.
— ??? ?????? (@LeeJarvis10) January 29, 2022
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Some are saying this is CGI, others that it was more of a funnel, than a proper tunnel, or that certain players were missing.
As an innocent bystander, I don't know what to believe.
Leinster Rugby in the eye of a storm here. Huge #developing story tonight in Cardiff. #CARvLEI https://t.co/bKvVWfka8D
— Edward Jenkins (@edjenx) January 29, 2022
Any comment on the refusal to form a tunnel for Cardiff players at the end?
Is it a deliberate strategy to rile up Welsh fans ahead of next week's big 🇨🇮🏴 clash?
As a lifelong Leinster fan, I'm distraught that the #RugbyValues that WE INVENTED, died a little bit tonight. SMH😢
— Edward Jenkins (@edjenx) January 29, 2022
Would it be possible to obtain further video evidence, proving that the entire team participated in the tunnel and not just a handful of players? Thanks again for your commitment to the upholding of #RugbyValues.
— Edward Jenkins (@edjenx) January 29, 2022
People are going nuts because Leinster did NOT form a tunnel and clap off Cardiff rugby so they have to put this out. Its a tunnel, they are competitive athletes after a defeat, Cardiff players will simply think fekk em. That's it move on its pathetic. https://t.co/8H59zPfLa4
— ??? ?????? (@LeeJarvis10) January 29, 2022
In fairness cardiff did a lap of honour. Leinster would have been waiting a long time
— Rob Hill (@3003Rob) January 29, 2022
The Welsh will have a nice,depressing, deep, dark tunnel waiting for them next week.
When something becomes a convention - a part of the behavioural furniture, you might say - it ceases to have any value, rather like people being referred to as The Honourable Member when the exact opposite is meant.