Duane Vermeulen in hot water after ‘insensitive’ joke to ref sparks outrage online
Duane Vermeulen is in hot water after this ‘insensitive’ joke to ref caused a social media storm. We are sure we will hear a lot more about this as the week goes on!
The 34-year-old. has caused something of a stir on social media today after a moment in yesterday’s match between the Bulls and the Sharks.
The Springbok number eight and Bulls captain made a joke in the first half of the encounter that normally would be seen as harmless but on this week of all weeks it was enough to spark rage on some rugby fans.
Former professionals have come forward this week with revelations that they’re now suffering from debilitating brain conditions believed to have been caused from repeated concussions during their playing days.
When is the last time that we’ve seen Duane Vermeulen this frustrated? #SHAvBUL #SSRugby
— Percivale Young (@Percyoung) December 12, 2020
The likes of former England hooker, Steve Thompson and Wales start, Alex Popham, came forward to reveal that they had developed early-onset dementia.
The reaction from the rugby community was mixed with a huge outpouring of sympathy and support – mixed with some arguing that these players knew what they were getting themselves into and that ‘rugby had gone soft.’
This is where Duane Vermeulen comes into the equation and why he is at the centre of a new storm.
In yesterday’s match against the Sharks, there was a moment in the first half where we saw a thunderous collision between Jacques Van Rooyen and Henco Venter which saw a head on head smash.
The referee calls Vermeulen and Lukhanyo Am together to discuss the incident.
After the referee makes his decision on the tackle and gives a yellow card to Van Rooyen -the Bulls captain then makes a remark that angered fans. Watch the moment in the video below.
It seems Duane is firmly in ‘the rugby’s gone soft brigade’ then.
I get that what he said to the ref here was a bit of a joke but given what’s happened this week with players coming forward about horrendous brain injuries I think this just comes across as insensitive. 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/TMNxXgDArI
— Edward Barker (@EdwardB24376757) December 13, 2020
After the referee says to both captains that the tackles need to come down, Duane turns to Am and says, ‘so we should start playing touches?’
This being a reference to touch rugby as opposed to full contact.
Duane Vermeulen made reference to the moment himself on his Instagram page with this post yesterday.
View this post on Instagram
This angered some fans at home who saw this comment as another view that rugby was going soft while others praised the Bulls captain for what he said.
Classic one-liner from Duane Vermeulen: “So we should start playing touchies?” 🤣🤣🤣#SHAvBUL
— wadesgotit (@wadesgotit) December 12, 2020
Nothing really bad about what Dylan did there. Young player getting excited, Duene looking like a grumpy ass the whole game.
— Erling Greenhand (@EGreenhand) December 12, 2020
The rules are getting fucking ridiculous! No wonder #duanevermeulen suggested they must play touch rugby! Making pufters of rugby players! @SuperSportTV @RugbyFifteen @SARugbymag @TheCurrieCup @SARugbyChick #CurrieCup #CarlingCurrieCup @SuperSportBlitz
— Kypie in Gauteng (@jakkalsn) December 12, 2020
Great comment by Duane Vermeulen to Lukhanyo Am after another confusing YC: “Let’s play touchies rather”
— Alton Jegels (@JegelsAlton) December 12, 2020
Seen the Duane Vermeulen ‘should we play touchies’ one-liner. Seems to be getting praised for it all round but that was a pretty nasty head-on-head there and he shouldn’t be making out like it was nothing.
— springbokbabyyy (@springbokbabyyy) December 13, 2020
