Does anyone find it utterly pathetic when teams celebrate a knock-on, all rallying around their player and some even jumping in the air, patting on the head and back, who may or may not even have been a factor in the opposition player losing the ball?

What's that all about at all?

Have a word!

Its a bit of sports psychology, to rattle and upset the opposition, to unsettle and belittle them, to make unforced errors.

Its not particularly "sporting" behaviour, but if it gives you that extra 5% edge then teams will do it.

You haven't been watching this sport long then. All teams, all players do this.

Don't understand what anyone could have against it.
Any advantage is good in rugby.

Nothing wrong with celebrating getting the ball back in a sport where having the ball is better than not having it.

There is only 2 types or ball in rugby, you either have it or you don't! Nothing wrong with any team celebrating the fact that they didn't have it and now (unexpectedly) they do whatever the reason (other than conceding points off course)

I've got no issue with any team celebrating opposition errors, usually it's more celebrating not conceding when defending your line or getting the ball in a good position.

What I don't like is when players taunt the opposition by rubbing their heads etc, it's something that has crept into the game the last few years and something that all teams are guilty of on occasion.

Think it's more celebrating getting the decision go your way, these days when a ball comes lose it's a 50-50 call and i guess if you 'get one in your favour' especially if you've assisted in the ball coming lose it's a bonus.

Agree about there's no need for the whole team to come running in though.

It's gauding the opposition after a mistake, being patted on the head after you've made a clanger or clapping right in front of the face I find very uneccessary.
High fiving/congratulating each other on your own team, nothing in it, being going on since time immemorial

Reminds me of NFL defensive teams who seem to do it even when they concede 30 odd yards.

Its very easy to form a negative opinion of someone when they are stood there grinning like an idiot clapping like a seal because the opposition has knocked on.

Nothing wrong with this at all for me. All part of the psychology of the game, just like sledging in cricket, or "trash talking" in the NFL/NBA etc, gets in the oppositions head for next time they get the ball.

The only thing I don't like is patting the opposition on the head or on the back, but celebrating with your teammates and then having a bit of a chirp at the oppo is no problem at all I don't think.

I don't mind the few players around the ball celebrating and high fiving. However it does look a bit cringeworthy when the entire team comes rushing in and celebrates it more than when they score.

I don't like the patting opposition players on the head thing and would like to see a bit of old school justice in this situation. For me, if an opposition player pats you on the head I think you're more than entitled to smack him.

It must be an age thing? In cricket & rugby sledging was once ungentlemanly conduct for which you were penalised & given a written warning. I do remember one of my coaches telling me if I had enough energy to take time out to argue & bait the other team I was not putting in the effort or not concentrating on my job. I don't think it will go away now shame really.

This.

It depends on the level of sledging I would say - as long at it doesn't go too far (i.e. patting the bloke on the back that's just dropped the ball) or involve swearing at the opposition player (for a guy that can't get bat on ball etc) or giving a batsman a send off when you get him out, I'd say a bit of team celebration at an error or a bit of light-hearted chirping (the old "bowl him a piano, see if he can play that" kind of thing) is ok in my book - that's how i've always played cricket (and a bit of rugby).

I tend to agree; I don't advocate violence, but a swift left hook would seem to be appropriate summary justice for the head-patters.

Haha

Or let the disciplinary deal with it; grade A 'clouting opposition player around the head'

Another thing we copied from the aussies

I think it was the aussie cricket team that started all the sledging off in the ashes series in the early 90s

You are referring to the 1890's, I hope. Perhaps you haven't been around very long.

Not as old as some by the looks of it haha. I just remember it from then. But probably been going on for decades and not noted as much

Indeed!

I'm in a minority then. A player on my team (Sims) is often seen jumping in the air when the opposition knock-on and I just find it cringeworthy/laughable/pathetic even. Makes players look like ****s when they do it.

I know it's not a new thing but it's something that should be left behind for me.