Ex-Ireland legend slam players' 'showboating' against the All Blacks

Former Ireland fly-half Tony Ward has criticized the behaviour of some of Ireland’s players in their recent defeat to New Zealand - accusing the team of "showboating" in their 13-23 loss at the Aviva.

Ward expressed no little disappointment in his Irish Independent column at Ireland’s display, describing it as well below the high standards typically seen under head coach Andy Farrell.

Ireland struggled with discipline, conceding 18 points through penalties, and persistent issues in the lineout added to their challenges. A high error count, including poor passing and handling, repeatedly placed Ireland under pressure.

Yet is was the whooping and hollering of the players as they celebrated mini-victories on the field that got Ward's goat.

"The high penalty count and number of handling errors need little elaboration and yes, shit happens. But when I see individuals in green gesticulating to the crowd, waving arms, fists in the air, pumping chests, I really do despair.

We’ve had it in lean times past and sadly, it was back in evidence on Friday.

"To me as a former player, it is the on-field equivalent of the Mexican Wave. It is a sign of mind and body on differing wavelengths.

"It began with Andrew Porter early on but some – like Joe McCarthy, Bundee Aki and James Lowe, others too – had their showboating moments along the way and, be clear here, showboating is what it was and is.

Traditionally seen as a game that turned its nose up at such behaviour, the increasingly frequent visible displays of emotion - from fist pumps after winning a scrum to cheers following a turnover - have proved divisive in recent years. Some argue that celebrating these moments builds team momentum and intensity, while critics believe it detracts from rugby’s sportsmanship values.

Ward's clearly in the latter camp.

"By deeds and actions alone should that umbilical chord, beyond the white line and extending into the stands, exist.

Call me old-school but it is an arrogant development to our game and histrionics we could do without."