muzz -

In the light of Saturday's schoolboy brawl at Auckland Grammar School, it is interesting to note how many pupils in my school have, for the past few years, referred to the code as 'thugby'. Perhaps they know something that older Rugby supporters (especially those in the media) don't want to acknowledge. It also doesn't auger well when you then have TV commentators (This Given Sunday) glorifying the 'biffo'. Is it any wonder that Rugby is increasingly becoming the domain of the lower streamed classes in schools, while the 'bright' pupils take on other codes that are less likely to involve 'thuggery'. It makes you wonder.... Is there a need to change the name? Or should we try to clean up the game to, once again, make it a game for 'everyone?