Rugby should not become a sport

The columnist Jacques Julliard shares his enthusiasm for rugby as the World Cup begins in France today, September 7th, but fears that the soul of this sport could be under threat. "Let us not ignore the fact that rugby is an endangered art-form. What remains of this ethic when coaches are obsessed by just one thing: transforming the fifteen players into identical tractors? When the backers, Jonah Lomu-style [former super-powerful star wing from New Zealand] weigh more than the third row? ... We cannot ignore the fact that the sport's evolution is linked to the general evolution of all sport, going hand in hand with money, showing-off, cheating and drugs. ... Let us do everything possible for rugby from not to become a sport, now an obscene word, and remain a game."

» full article (external link, French)
More from the press review on the subject » Sport, » France, » Global
All available articles from » Jacques Julliard

» To the complete press review of Friday, September 7, 2007