LAST UPDATE | 28 Aug 2020
CANTERBURY HAVE APOLOGISED for an “error” in relation to how they launched the new Ireland rugby jersey.
Irish Rugby’s kit manufacturer unveiled the new home shirt last week, allowing fans to pre-order online ahead of its release in October.
While senior men’s players Conor Murray, Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw were pictured in the latest strip, Canterbury chose to use a model to promote the jersey designed specifically for women.
That sparked criticism from supporters online, who argued that members of the women’s team should have featured.
Canterbury have admitted their mistake and apologise for any upset caused.
“As a brand we believe in putting our hands up if we get something wrong,” the statement reads. “To announce that our new Ireland Women’s Pro jersey was available for pre-order, we super-imposed the jersey’s image onto a model to share this exciting development with our dedicated female players and fans.
“It was always, and remains, our intention to photograph the female players in the new jersey and we remain committed to supporting the talented women in our rugby community on and off the field.
While the image was primarily designed for our website, which also features male models, it has understandably caused some frustration. We accept that this was an error and apologise for an upset caused.
“At Canterbury we believed that rugby is for everyone and we’re united by our mutual love of the game. We look forward to sharing our ‘A New Horizon’ campaign to support the launch of our Ireland Women’s Pro jersey in October, with the same commitment and dedication that we have for all our teams.”
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Seriously, have people honestly nothing else to complain or worry about!
@Jo H: Outrage culture, sure. Everything is offensive to somebody somewhere, presumably!
@Jo H: in fairness they always use male players to sell mens jerseys. It sends the wrong message to use a “model” to sell the women’s jerseys instead of a female player.
@Eoin McCarthy: I find your comment highly offensive and to put it quite frankly I’m outraged.
@Jo H: why shouldn’t they complain. The male rugby players were featured. Why not the women?
@Sorcha: are you going to do the poor girl out of a job… Just saying
@Sorcha: Well I’m absolutely outraged we didn’t get male models. Where’s the fairness in that?
@Ger: they don’t though.
I’ve seen the jerseys with male models wearing them, I was not offended.
https://images.app.goo.gl/g5tsNAxUj65N7vc37
@Frantic Pigeon: that jersey is 2 sizes too small for him
I think the most outraged people here are those complaining about the original complainers. I literally wouldn’t have heard about this if not for this article. For all you lads know it was brought up by the players association because it’s cutting out potential money and promotion from their female members
@Ger: that’s because the male players are recognisable faces and kids want to wear the shirts of the players they follow. Sexton, pom, larmour, stockdale these people sell jerseys. A irish woman’s rugby player is not well know and as a marketing tool makes no sense.
@Rudiger McMonihan: So you’re outraged about the people who are outraged at the people who are outraged at Canterbury for using a female model.
Respectfully, in my opinion, neither send a message beyond wanting to sell over-priced merchandise.
@Steve Monk: Your use of the word outraged is outrageous
@Eoin McCarthy: it’s not outrage culture at all. A complaint does not always equally outrage. That’s a ridiculous assumption. And its absolutely right that it’s called out. There should not be one rule for men and a different one for women. The players on the womens team can be a source of advertising and a source inspiration for young players too. I understand that sometime it seems that people call out what you perceive as trivial but that’s the point this type of gender bias is so engrained in our societies that it creeps into everything even the most trivial things. The only way to tackle it is to keep calling it out so that the behaviour stops
@Steve Monk: I’m more cringing at the insecure weirdos who never stop talking about “outrage” and explaining why you should chill out a bit. There are people trying to grow the womens game so that it improves and is worth following. Building up their images makes sense. The more they are in the public eye the more recognisable they become. Then when they are marketable they might make enough money to train full time and improve their skills. Maybe they’ll inspire young girls to join the game and improve it further. Shutting the door on them and saying they’re crap and always will be crap helps nobody. Mens rugby before the 90s is unrecognisable compared to the modern game. This stuff takes time.
@Chris Mc: shush people don’t like the kind of inane 100%truthful drivel. Women lives msttet
I know that girl, she loves rugby, we often play together, she’s distraught at the idea they might drop her from the campaign
Use it as excuse to get rid them get Nike in. Them Argentine kits are tops
@ollie: Adidas killing it at the moment with their kits
@ollie: I agree, IRFU should bin them and get Nike or Adidas!!
@Aaron Tynan: BLK the way to go, class kits
@ollie: Nike equals “correct” or “victory”!!
@Ardmore02: tearing three stripes off the opposition!!!
@Marty H: BLK have done something amazing for Connacht this season!!
@Aaron Tynan: all their kits so far have been good
@Aaron Tynan: Adidas don’t even bother with women’s jerseys. It’s years since they’ve issued a women’s jersey for Munster, they consider them ‘unisex’.
I saw photos of the Ireland jersey worn by a male model. I can confirm I was not offended.
https://images.app.goo.gl/g5tsNAxUj65N7vc37
More a case of laziness/stupidity than anything else. Cant imagine theyd have had to pay the athlete a huge amount either since the womens team arent all fully pro.
@Rudiger McMonihan: Agreed. Reflective of a long held attitude of “their isn’t the demand for Women’s gear so why bother”. There’s a huge amount of laziness when it comes to marketing and making Supporters gear for Women in general. Toulouse have a huge range of clothing, specifically for Women, in their shop. Irish lack of effort by comparison is embarrassing.
@Cian Nolan: it’s very annoying that the jersey is usually the only thing in the whole Leinster/Ireland range made for women, whereas if I wanted say a Bayern Munich women’s zippy there are loads of options.
@Cian Nolan: Might be Toulon if it’s Toulouse!!!!
@Sam Harms: Munster don’t even have a women’s version of the jersey. They’re missing out on a lot of sales, I know several women who refuse to buy the men’s jersey.
Fair enough, move on.
Poxy looking shirt anyway.
When I saw the Jersey for the first time I thought someone had gone over the garment with a paintbrush.
The only thing they should be sorry for is the design of the jersey, it’s absolutely hideous.
Thick thighs matter !
@theseadoc: well shin sin!!!
I’m outraged that some people aren’t outraged
- we should remove any reference to rugby from all books and tear down the statute in Shannon Airport.
People actually complained about this! I don’t know how they found the time between writing agree letters to newspaper editors, lecturing anyone they disagree with on social media, and attending protest marches.
Man, that was a booby.
@Stephen Matthews: …you fell into the trap!!!
They should have got Sene Naoupu to model it, I’d buy it
Its a Womens jersey worn by a Women, whats the problem?
Great to see that Michael has gone full time at the puns.
OMG, seriously I’m a woman and these women rugby players give women a bad name.. they should prove themselves on the field , and stop moaning.. why should one of them be used? Makes no difference.. childish
Well that’s some Canterbury Tale!!! Made a bad Chaucer!!(Choice Sir!).
They should go with O’Neills. Irish company making plenty jerseys for home and abroad.
What has this story got to do with Phil hogan?
They made a mistake so what.
@barney rock: or a Miss take!!
High horse brigade are out in force again I see. Move on lads nothing to see here.
Who gives a flying fnck
Whinge whinge whinge, your Nerves would be gone listening to it.
Aon seans eile?
I didn’t notice till i moved to NZ and was told the Canterbury symbol is 3 kiwis. Was news to me at the time…everyone probably knows this but i never really noticed, kinda weird, abit like how England have 3lions in the football. These animals dont live anywhere near here, bring back Puma hahaha
Disgraceful behaviour!
Outrageous behaviour indeed !!!