‘We didn’t get it right and we apologise’
New Zealand’s rugby side have been criticised on social media in relation to their post to mark International Women’s Day, on Tuesday. They have since issued an apology on the matter.
The All Blacks decided to mark the date by posting a message on Twitter featuring winger Sevu Reece and a selection of other internationals alongside women with the caption:
“Forever grateful to all the women in our lives that allow us to play the game we love. Partners, mothers, daughters, doctors, physios, referees, administrators and fans. Appreciate you every day.”
https://twitter.com/AllBlacks/status/1500961834806902786
Sevu Reece appearance in post upsets some
However the post has been met with backlash by supporters of the All Blacks – especially with the decision to include Reece as part of the pictures.
In 2018, the 25-year-old admitted to one count of assault after he injured his partner whilst drunk on a street in Hamilton, New Zealand, but was discharged without conviction after the judge ruled there were mitigating factors.
One fan expressed her disappointment that New Zealand used Reece to promote International Women’s Day as well as their failure to acknowledge the Women’s New Zealand rugby team.
One user tweeted: “You include Smith and Reece let leave out the Black Ferns? Think you got this wrong on so many levels that leaves this as a meaningless PR stunt.”
You include smith and reece let leave out the black ferns? Think you got this wrong on so many levels that leaves this as a meaningless PR stunt
— Henry Legg (@HLegg1983) March 8, 2022
Another user stated: “You know you have a women’s team, right? Also, Sevu Reece? Really?”
https://twitter.com/Paulin3McFerran/status/1501121773294739458
Another person said: “This is probably the most tone deaf tweet I think I’ve ever seen. To include Sevu Reece on an International Womens Day post and to not even post anything about the Black Ferns.”
This is probably the most tone deaf tweet I think I’ve ever seen.
To include Sevu Reece on an International Womens Day post and to not even post anything about the Black Ferns https://t.co/gc0G1WXQQi
— Jack Bishop (@JackBish13) March 8, 2022
Following the backlash, the All Blacks posted an apology thread that, in part, reads:
‘Our intent was to portray the many roles women have in our game. We didn’t get it right and we apologise – our entire rugby whānau are so proud of our Black Ferns and all our wāhine, in everything that they do on and off the pitch.’
New Zealand Rugby and #IWD2022:
NZR and our Teams in Black celebrated International Women’s Day across all of our digital channels and our intent was to portray the many roles women have in our game. (1/2)
— New Zealand Rugby (@NZRugby) March 9, 2022
We didn’t get it right and we apologise – our entire rugby whānau are so proud of our @BlackFerns and all our wāhine, in everything that they do on and off the pitch.@BlackFerns @AllBlacks7s @AllBlacks @NZRugby (2/2)
— New Zealand Rugby (@NZRugby) March 9, 2022
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