French Rugby World Cup shame on the day the 'English' booed Wilkinson

Mate, you're probaly being a tad over-sensitive. Booing of the opposition (especially the kicker) is common behaviour in France and the locals were always going to support Samoa against England, making us the opposition in this one. That's probably why there were "blank faces" - this sort of thing is considered normal as far as I can work out - certainly not worth losing your temper over.

I agree with total flanker. Get over it. Typical of an English crowd though getting 'angry' about it. Just take it on the chin and move on, you are surprised the French booed England? They were in the crowd for the Ireland and Namibia game doing exactly the same. It's not like the English crowd are a PC and well behaved crowd so let's drop the hypocrisy, shall we?

Shane do you think it would happen in Football? Be a riot mate!

Football? It happens all the time but we don't riot, part and parcel of the game. Rival fans go to the games together, drink in the same bars and sit in the same stands together watching the Gaelic.

It would have been better if I could have bought a real beer with alcohol during the game! Good point though, what would happen at a football game with neutral fans taking over the chanting?

Have to admit, I'm with Kevin on this one. I noticed booing whenever a shot at the posts was taken instead of a kick to the corner. The same behaviour raised it's ugly head at Murrayfield when the Kiwis, having already taken the Scots pack apart and spat out what was left, opted for points on the board. The first and ONLY priority is to win the game. Pretty play and flowing back play is great - if you win. Sometimes even the All blacks play ugly. The players all have respect for each other at this level; some crowds have lost that part of the game usually the perpetual losers of International Rugby. What I would agree is that for reasons best known by themselves, fans of opponents of any English side whether it be Rugby, Cricket or Football will Boo just because they're English. Grow Up !

Although correct about the 'anyone but England' contingent that is not the case here. As I stated, the French are showing up and booing any side facing their six nations rivals, especially if they are in blue. As also stated, they gave our lot a good going over too when we played Namibia. On another point, you not knowing why people boo England is one of the many reasons we do.

"It doesn't matter whether it's cricket, rugby union, rugby league - we all hate England," AUSTRALIAN Rugby Union boss John O'Neill said this today..

Wouldn't whinge too much buddy, it's only a game. Was at an Allblack vs Argentina test in Hamilton NZ. Hamilton being in the Waikato district, fierce rivals of Auckland NZ. Carlos Spencer playing at 10 (also Aucklands no.10) was not only booed on every conversion attempt, but everytime he touched the ball.....ha ha, work that one out?

Ok, I'm not in position to comment here (I'm French) but I think local crowds in the WC are behind the "petites équipes"... Especially when they show some bravour in front of a strong team. And if they play in blue... MAN ! you can't blame them really. This is not an excuse to boo the kicker : I hate that, really !! And please be honest : if the crowd in fact did not respect England when they boed the kicker (I totally agree with that), kickers are not allways booed at : see the first penalty attempt by Ireland against France : the stade became a cemetary. Best to all !

The more people there are together in one place the lower the average IQ... And there's really nothing to do about it except not join in. The thing that annoys me even more than the booing of the kicker is the sounding of air-horns when he's taking a shot on goal.

I'm afraid that articles like that will get you labelled as a troll. As others have said, French crowds all boo the kicker (and make a lot of noise when their on kicker is at work). I fear you were simply trying to stir up a reaction with your article.

Why do the English try to drown out the Haka? Allez Les Bleus et Les Blacks.

Ai rui Sheng, don't start me on the Haka! I tell you what, I'll let you do that, as long as you're happy for the ABs to get cold enduring some Scottish Country Dancing before they play Scotland, or some Morris Dancing when they play England. Why should they get away with psych'ing themselves up on the pitch - let them do their funny dance in the changing room, as the Welsh made them do last year. As for this year's RWC, anyone but the ABs please - I wonder what it will be this time around, food poisoning again or just another failure of temperament?

There are beeter opportunities to use the word "shame" in a title, this ain't Darfour, grow up mate. The public wanted to see puny Fidji win, for obvious reasons, and Wilko is not royalty. I can't believe you are wasting your and your reader's time with this nonsense.

Why does everyone assume that we English would "Morris Dance" to challenge the Haka..... Two lines of muskets…. It always worked in the past.

The booing was out of order, and so was the organised band that piped up whenever JW had a place kick.Even more disgraceful was the stuff they served up to drink.Perhaps they were upset as the English were singing " A Frenchman went to the toilet........." (type that in Google and you'll get the gist)

Muskets did not work against the Maori who comfortably accounted for the Irish mercenaries in NZ. Don't 6N teams have track suits..... get cold indeed!

@colin boag - troll? You saw the video and read the article, just a load of facts. Not trying to create an argument, there is none..I do agree re your comments on the haka, totally. @maroule - It was a shame that those jeering throughout have no social skills. Go pay €105 and be surrounded with clueless corporate ticket holders booing constantly. Fact is, it wouldn't happen at Twickenham, right(or wrong?!)

I cannot believe the IRB are banning Tonga unless the dye their hair back to normal colour, forget the above, this is madness! Suits ruined my game, and may ruin the next too!