Yet another difference between NFL and Rugby http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/6458750?MSNHPHMA (the link has a pic of the cheerleaders SFW) Crowe's rugby team cuts cheerleaders SYDNEY, Australia (AP) - Russell Crowe says his rugby league club's cheerleading squad is being cut because skimpily clad cheerleaders detract from the game and make spectators uncomfortable. The Oscar-winning actor, who is part-owner in the South Sydney Rabbitohs club, said the club had become concerned that the cheerleaders - whose uniform includes fishnet stockings and tasseled miniskirts in the white, green and red team colors - were inappropriate entertainment. "It makes women uncomfortable and it makes blokes who take their son to the football also uncomfortable," Crowe was quoted as saying in News Ltd. newspapers Friday. "We examined game day and wanted to contemporize and make the focus (on) football," he said. A team of percussionists will replace the cheerleaders, the club announced this week. The club's Web site invited drummers to audition. Crowe, a longtime Rabbitohs supporter, helped save the club from obscurity a few years ago before buying a major stake in 2006. He won an Oscar in 2001 for "Gladiator." The 42-year-old actor has also received Oscar nominations for "The Insider" and "A Beautiful Mind." --- On the Net: South Sydney Rabbitohs: http://www.souths.com.au/home/index.asp
BYI the Rabbitohs still have their cheerleader page up with pics and profiles but you probably want to check it out quick. http://www.souths.com.au/cheerleaders/
I think that banning cheerleaders is un-American. It is a threat to our way of life and national security. We should invade Australia immediately.
Got to add another note on my "ToDo" list before I die.... Go to Australia and pick up rugby cheerleaders.
I wonder what Aussiejack and the other Aussie posters think about this? Also didn't several NFL and NBA teams not have cheerleaders for awhile? I seem to remember the Derrick Dolls dissapearing from the sidelines in the late '80's.
Saying Rugby on its own usually denotes union. Crowe's team plays League (NRL) which is simply known as League and or sometimes Rugby League but never just Rugby. The NRL has taken a battering in recent years over scandals mostly involving sexual assualts and drunkenness. Rugby League crowds are seen as being rough as guts. I'm guessing it's a marketing move by the Rabbitohs to try and promote their team as family entertainment.
I am yet to meet an aussie man who is uncomfortable looking at cheerleaders at any sporting event. It must be noted though that most of the AFL (Australian Rules Football) teams don't have cheerleaders, mind you that may be because of the nature of the game that is played and the fact there is no room at all for them on the field.
This is my favorite sport Rugby League. I wrote a bit about this on my web site. I'll quote it here but make sure you visit the link. www.leaguefreak.com
Most of these chick-a-doos look older... like in their late 20s and early 30s... LIKE I CARE? You're a GIRL?!?!?!??!?!???
