Mike Tindall

[Davethedog]

Am I wrong here: I cannot see exactly Mike Tindall did wrong, from a sporting perspective, he went to a bar, with permission, had a few beers, as is a rugby players want, met an old flame who kissed him on the head and "may" have allowed a closer view of her personal assets. If it wasn't Tindall it may never have been made public.

It seems to me that the media wished to undermine the England team and took a fairly innocuous incident and turned it into a witch hunt. Isn't there a lack of patriotism here rather than stupid behaviour.

From a personal view point, his conduct may not have been top class, but it wasn't adultery and it wouldn't of affected his playing ability, until the media made it a problem.

[ichkeria]

In fairness, I think Johnson was been handed a bit of a "hospital pass" with his appointment as coach. And then let down by his players.
As I said before, someone ought to be looking at Rob Andrew and the RFU set-up,. However, that is to do with the actual rugby, not the off-field stuff necessarily.
A successful team can get away with a lot ...

[Sqad]

SeeJayPea.......you are correct.....my mistake.

[Philtaz]

He said he was going out for a few quiet ones.......and had about 15 noisy ones too! He also had alcohol induced amnesia (haven't we all) when asked about his whereabouts. As captain (at the time) it was his responsibility to set an example, which he failed to do.
Had England been on fire and were still in it, it would have all been forgotten about.
Despite reports to the contrary, Wales have not imposed an alcohol ban on their players. The captain has imposed one on himself out of choice. Those who've had a few drinks have had 'just a few drinks' and nothing more.
Tindall suffered a poor lack of judgement, for which he's been pilloried.
Others in the England camp should have pulled him to one side and said "you're taking the p*ss, cut it out now" but they didn't.

I said some time ago on here that England lacked a leader on AND off the field. Johnno let them get away with far more than he ought to and senior players failed to address matters or act appropriately.

[Barmaid]

The only person who should give a fiddlers about what Mike Tindall did or didn't do is Mrs Tindall!

[jno]

I think you're right, Philtaz. Apart, possibly, from the harassment, none of these things off the field were big issues. But couple them with the on-field problems (two suspensions, illegal ball-changes) and the breaking of the gumshield rule - twice! - it certainly looked as if nobody was in control. Wales seem to be behaving like sensible professionals and are reaping the rewards. England just looked addled most of thetime.