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Delon Armitage: Taunted Brock James
Toulon full-back Delon Armitage is embroiled in a row with past and present players after taunting an opponent in Saturday's Heineken Cup Final against Clermont.
Armitage scored the match-winning try which set up the chance for Jonny Wilkinson to kick the conversion that clinched a 16-15 win for Toulon in Dublin.
But the way in which the former England full-back waved at Brock James as he went over for his try has drawn criticism from former England hooker Brian Moore as well as Harlequins fly-half Nick Evans and Scotland duo Chris Cusiter and Max Evans.
Shortly after Armitage's try, Moore expressed his disgust with the 29-year-old's actions on Twitter.
"If a player did to me what Armitage has just done I'd have to chin him after the touchdown," he tweeted.
Armitage later sent a sharp and strong response to Moore on Twitter.
Other players also gave their opinions with Evans tweeting: "Delon Armitage better hope Toulon win after that. #noclass"
Cusiter tweeted: "Since when did the values of rugby include taunting an opponent in the act of scoring a try? Disgraceful."
And Max Evans wrote: "Surprised Armitage hasn't learnt a few things from such a class act in @JonnyWilkinson."
Armitage is no stranger to controversy having previously been arrested over an assault in a nightclub. He was also banned for pushing and verbally abusing a doping officer and served suspensions for punching Northampton's Stephen Myler and Bath's Dave Attwood in on-field incidents.
Comments
ArmchairGeneral says...
Coshie; there's room in the games for all sorts provided they're playing within the rules. He's done nothing bad apart from a bit of ugly scoring. I guess you're the kind who wants the likes of Cooper, DigbyI, Beale out of the game too. Or if you're really good it's ok to be a pr@. Armitage is fine. If he keeps on the right side of the law he's an asset to any club. Rugby would be dull if it were 30 Wilkinson clones on the pitch much as I respect him. They'd be putting up their hand when they made an accidental forward pass. Volentary sin bins for celebrating a try.
Posted 20:49 29th May 2013
jimbosim says...
To be honest - Cant really understand why a Team like Toulon, with all their money and class would want an average player like Armitage playing for them. I guess every team has to have them otherwise it would be a perfect select?
Posted 21:02 21st May 2013
mmmaaa says...
Daffyd29 in fact, Wilko and Fernandez Lobbe two of the most respected players in rugby play there
Posted 18:01 21st May 2013
pierredelot1 says...
Despite being a good player, watching Armitage is like watching a stroppy colt. Too much mouth, too much testosterone and too many childish little digs and off the ball incidents. I just wish he would learn because it is holding him back. Hopefully his teammates will sort him out. Don't compare with Brian Moore, the wall where he used to bang his head in the home changing room at Harlequins is suffering from fatigue. But part of the fun was watching him wind people up. Thought that was part of the skill set for a front row forward. O'Driscoll on Henson was a classic example in the backs though.
Posted 17:02 21st May 2013
Irishzimbabwean says...
Alwill - well said. Concise and to the point - can we add Dylan Hartley to make it a back three?
Posted 15:47 21st May 2013
Coshie78 says...
rugby rockstar & Armchair General...
Rugby is a great game already, with plenty of characters, with class.
Greenwood for example often gave a cheeky gesture when scoring. These were examples of when someone is a character, doing something different to the others that maybe aren't as colourful. He would never intentionally disrespect the opposition.
If you look at it again, not only does he wave at him, but he stays staring at Brock James with a gormless smile, obviously mocking him until he scored.
I question why anyone thinks this is character or an edge - it just isn't.
Delon Armitage has a reputation for being an arrogant, rather unpleasant individual. This coming from his own team mates at London Irish, many of whom were glad to see the back of him despite his talent.
Knowing this only accentuates the intent in his actions.
Anyone who believes this is acceptable is very different to everyone else I know who uphold these values.
I am hoping both teams make the final for the Top 14.
Would love to see James put up a high ball on Armitage for Cudmore and Hines to chase and annihilate the gobby chav, see how much character he has then!
Posted 11:08 21st May 2013
risca30 says...
...yet another example of english arrogance, how there are ten of them on the Lions Tour, is beyond me!!!!
Posted 09:01 21st May 2013
Mrchomicz says...
Everyone knows the Brit's love to be Villains. Just ask Disney.
Posted 05:14 21st May 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
If everyone was a class act then no one would be.
Posted 19:35 20th May 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
I think there's been a serious sense of humour by pass by a lot of stuffy pompous types.
My reaction close to Nick Evans, BUT I stress that I saw the comedic side, and was grinning ear to ear! it was probably the funiest bit of the entire match, though Jonny lifting the Cup with Big Joe Van Neikirk provided the memory I want to keep the longest.
Let me tell you a story, once upon a time there was a sport called tennis and this sport had lots of colouful rockstar types like Jimmy Connors, Ilie Năstase and the King Brat himself John McEnroe. these guys could play tennis, play up to the crowd, throw almighty tantrums AND give the umpire absolute hell. The tennis association decided these players needed to be taught some maners and they fined them and docked them game points and basically put so many penalties in place that nowadays you'll get a fine for hitting a ball in a frustrated manner. the upshot is that Tennis is BORING! My god its an absolute drag!!!!
So Here's to players like delon aritage, Here's to the Quade Coopers. Here's to the character's in our fav sport. This ain't snooker and we don't want to become tennis. Here's to colourful rugby and to the brats and to all things punk! and if you don;t like that then go support tennis but don't forget your hand knitted blanket to keep your knees warm and make sure the nurse gets you back your the retirement home before it gets dark. ;)
Posted 17:14 20th May 2013
Coshie78 says...
Personally I think anyone criticising Moore, or any of the other players that tweeted, more than Armitage's actions themselves are undermining the values of rugby.
If you are a fan of unsporting Chav-like behaviour there is a sport ready made for you with it's own sites.
True rugby people do not want this in the game. Often hear people say this is a consequence of professionalism. Well, in that case, the money in the sport should be used as a tool to uphold it's values.
I'd dock him 4 games pay and make him do some unpleasant philanthropic activity to try and force some humility into him.
Not a big fan of any pre-score celebration, Ash Splash etc, but can tolerate them. However, in my opinion, taunting an opposite player is not in the spirit of the game regardless of circumstances.
Posted 16:56 20th May 2013
IronManI441 says...
Brian Moore is a complete fool who is chasing old fame. He was a class rugby player but also a complete filthy cheat who did more than his share of taunting opposition front rows after scrums were won. The man tweets more than Kim Kardashian or someone from the only way is essex, I mean come on, such a pedantic old lion. HOWEVER... I agree D Armitage shouldnt have waved, and its not a class act, however he knows and so does everybody else that he will face payment for that next week and he clearly doesn't care, so as long as he is willing to pay the price, then I guess.. who cares. Its not like football where there is no retribution
Posted 10:31 20th May 2013
eltonioh says...
Yet another class-less act from one of the true bad guys of the game. Wasn't the only time he stepped out of line on sat either, that off the ball shoulder charge on Parra in the 2nd half should have got him a yellow card. And it wouldn't have been the first time he got pulled for that kind of challenge if he had as much interest in tackling players when they have the ball he'd be a much better player.
Posted 09:48 20th May 2013
Dafydd29 says...
What else would you expect from someone who stoops so low as to play for Toulon?
Posted 06:34 20th May 2013
Alwill says...
Armitage and Ashton........would look good in the same back three. I bet guys would line up to chase up and unders to them.
Posted 05:47 20th May 2013
papachinzo says...
He obviously looked and expected a tackler, instead he saw James, huffing a puffing, despairingly trying to keep up with him. so he laughed a waved... its not on, but it happens.
Posted 21:58 19th May 2013
Kije says...
Got to draw the line regarding this sort of thing. Good comments here regarding front row antics. Maybe it's time for a look at all forms of mocking in the game. Oldtimer might be a bit old school but he's got a point. Let's not cheapen the game.
Posted 19:47 19th May 2013
oldtimer says...
No place for that sort of behaviour in rugby. I was disrespectful of the opponent; one of the defining principles of the game. This particular Armitage has repeatedly demonstrated by his behaviour that he is not an honourable person. A cheap player like him will only cheapen the game further and unchecked will turn rugby into a farce similar to that which is soccer.
Posted 19:23 19th May 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Dont hear them complain about front rowers gobbing off or patting opposing players on the back when they give a penalty. Or laughing or clapping etc. no worse that that. Different players are motivated differently and if Armitage needs to dislike his opponent and jibe them to get an edge it's fine as long as its legal. Gregan was like that to mention just one famous respected venomous player. Moore was a shocker at this kind of thing as Melk says. Total Hypocrite.
Posted 19:05 19th May 2013
kybone says...
I really didn't think there was much to it. I like Brian Moore but if he's gonna fly off the handle about this then i'd like him to do the same the next time a front row starts giving it the high fives and slaps on the back etc which all amounts to sledging, straight after getting the upper hand in a scrum.
Posted 18:45 19th May 2013