Genia backs battling Reds coach

[Alison]

That is a much better 'light-hearted' piece than Growden produces on ESPN. For the past 2 weeks, he (Growden) has been peddling rumours in his "ruck n' maul" column about 2 Aus S15 players possibly being gay.

There is an implication that the players in question could be Force players, but that's a side issue as far as I'm concerned. The way the "rumour" is described in the piece is verging on homophobic imo. Players' sexuality is quite simply none of his or our business, whichever team the players are from.

If he carries on with this "rumour", I shall be making a formal complaint to ESPN. If anyone from RugbyWA or the ARU is reading this, maybe you would like to take it up with them too.

The links to both pieces are below. The comments I am referring to appear under the heading "Rumours of the Week" at the foot of each piece.

http://www.espnscrum.com/australia/r...ry/223601.html

http://www.espnscrum.com/super-rugby...ry/224541.html

UPDATE - SINCE FIRST POSTING THIS, I HAVE RECEIVED CONFIRMATION THAT ESPN HAVE PULLED THE LINE FROM THE COLUMN. VERY HAPPY ABOUT THAT!

[GAFFA]

That is a much better 'light-hearted' piece than Growden produces on ESPN. For the past 2 weeks, he (Growden) has been peddling rumours in his "ruck n' maul" column about 2 Aus S15 players possibly being gay.

There is an implication that the players in question could be Force players, but that's a side issue as far as I'm concerned. The "rumour" is verging on homophobic and is quite simply none of his or our business, whichever team the players are from.

If he carries on with this "rumour", I shall be making a formal complaint to ESPN. If anyone from RugbyWA or the ARU is reading this, maybe you would like to take it up with him too.

The links to both pieces are below. The comments I am referring to appear under the heading "Rumours of the Week" at the foot of each piece.

http://www.espnscrum.com/australia/r...ry/223601.html

http://www.espnscrum.com/super-rugby...ry/224541.html

Couldn't agree more when i read it last week and i got the same feeling he was talking about the Force and we all know he has a MASSIVE chip on his shoulder when it comes to the Force but all i thought about and all i could think was HTF is this news what business is it of his ESPN should be ashamed for even allowing it to be published on their site.

In the second link he is happy to call a racists a low life (which they are) yet is then happy to pedal a homophobic rumor he is nothing more than a hack!

[valzc]

There's a rumour going round that Greg Growden has been spotted walking through Kings Cross in pink leather tights holding hands with a 'woman' of questionable character and looking extremely intoxicated. (But it is only an uncorroborated rumour!)

[wholetruth]

His rumour
Force board member promises nude swim in Swan River Not for the first time, certain Western Force officials have lost touch with reality. The Force are apparently so confident of winning in Bloemfontein to go top of the Australian conference that one board member has promised to swim nude in the Swan River on Sunday morning if it occurs. Go the Cheetahs!
Doesn't actually make much sense. Shouldn't it be, IF true, that he would swim naked if the Force LOST because they are so confident?
Perhaps I'm just confused because I've been reading Growden for too long.

[shasta]

There is also a strong rumour that Greg Growden is a boorish loser with absolutely no class.

[The InnFORCEr]

That's a fact isn't it

[Alison]

Am very happy to report that ESPN have pulled the offending line from the column. Seems I was not the only one to think it was inappropriate!

[The InnFORCEr]

Tensions at the Queensland Reds are so high that coach Richard Graham had to confront his own players over a perceived lack of support.

Graham gathered the playing squad in a room last week and bluntly told them the internal friction had to end.

We hear Graham asked the group: “Are you with me or against me?”.

The coach took the silence that followed as support and then called a start to training. The Reds went on to get dished up by the Blues.

In a further sign of turmoil, its understood former Wallaby winger Digby Ioane was offered a spot by the Reds to return home.

Reds players close to Ioane told him not to bother because by the time he returned they wouldn’t be at the club.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/pa...-1226910843898

[GAFFA]

Am very happy to report that ESPN have pulled the offending line from the column. Seems I was not the only one to think it was inappropriate!

The power of social media!

[hertryk]

Am very happy to report that ESPN have pulled the offending line from the column. Seems I was not the only one to think it was inappropriate!

How do some PLONKERS keep their jobs is way beyond me.. I wouldn't pay them in salt....!!!