'Harden up, blokes of today': Rugby commentator Keith Quinn slammed for 'harmful' tweet

The backlash against Keith Quinn's "bloke-ism" tweet has been swift. Photo / NZME

Legendary New Zealand rugby commentator Keith Quinn has caused controversy on Twitter today, with a post telling New Zealand men to "harden up".

"What's happening to bloke- ism? In the TV news the last few days Dustin Johnson, Lewis Hamilton & Puma rugby players & coach all crying their eyes out. Would the sight of All Blacks wearing pink boots have moved Pinetree Meads? I doubt it. Harden up - blokes of today," the broadcaster posted on Twitter this evening.

New Zealanders were quick to shut his message down, including Sir John Kirwan.

While not directly replying to Quinn's tweet, Kirwan's post made his stance clear: "My highlight from the weekend was the team and Mario Ledesma crying, made me cry. Beautiful," he wrote.

My highlight from the weekend was the team and Mario Ledesma crying, made me cry. Beautiful

— Sir John Kirwan (@JohnKirwan_14) November 16, 2020

Dozens of other Kiwi Twitter users replied to Quinn's tweet expressing their disappointment at his views.

"No Keith you've got this exactly backwards," one Twitter user replied. "It's great to see top sportsmen unafraid to express emotion, and explicitly rejecting the 'harden up' ethos of years gone by. More of this please."

No Keith you’ve got this exactly backwards. It’s great to see top sportsmen unafraid to express emotion, and explicitly rejecting the “harden up” ethos of years gone by. More of this please

— Hans Anitizer (@Dean_Nimbly) November 16, 2020

"This makes me really sad. I grew up watching rugby with my Dad by my side and you in our ears. Dad's gone now but he was learning to mellow as he aged and be less repressed about his feelings. I hope you can learn that too," another Kiwi said.

This makes me really sad. I grew up watching rugby with my Dad by my side and you in our ears. Dad’s gone now but he was learning to mellow as he aged and be less repressed about his feelings. I hope you can learn that too. 😢

— Julie Fairey (@juliefairey) November 16, 2020

Other users pointed out that many in rugby have been working hard to move away from the "boys don't cry" message, including John Kirwan.

Someone didn't read JK's book pic.twitter.com/dk6uY3JWKX

— David Smiler (but in a Kiwi accent) (@davidsmiler11) November 16, 2020

I’d say Richie McCaw was pretty tough...what an archaic attitude pic.twitter.com/UnT6167w3s

— Sean Bishop (@seanbish) November 16, 2020

"I'm very much hoping that bloke-ism is becoming just an unfortunate and damaging part of our history. One that future generations will look on with scorn and pity," someone else said. "I'm sorry that you have been unable to move past that culture."

So sad to see years of work on male mental health promotion being undermined in seconds by this dinosaur.

It is great to see true men being role models rather than the ‘blokes’ that Keith wants to see.

This tweet should be deleted.

— 🇳🇿 Kiwi Paul 🙃 (@peecee65) November 16, 2020

It is comments like this that are part of the problem Keith.

Boys not being able to show their emotion is why so many men have mental health problems, keep their issues tucked away and then we wonder why some of them harm themselves.

— Rob Glennie 🇳🇿 (@RobertGlennieNZ) November 16, 2020

I'm very much hoping that bloke-ism is becoming just an unfortunate and damaging part of our history. One that future generations will look on with scorn and pity.

I'm sorry that you have been unable to move past that culture.

— tinsel bumblebee (@ParryKylie) November 16, 2020

2014 Keith Quinn might need to have some words with 2020 Keith Quinn. pic.twitter.com/ADEoAiON7t

— Gwynn Compton (@gwynncompton) November 16, 2020

I'm never using Cigna Funeral Homes again. https://t.co/fGWfjKz5zt

— NV (@KFCQuarterPack) November 16, 2020

The backlash came from Twitter users of all genders, who pointed out the importance of rejecting "toxic masculinity".

A great result out of the Keith Quinn tweet is the number of men on my timeline letting him know he’s wrong.

Good stuff, gents 👏🏼👏🏼

— Heather (@HDiddyNZ) November 16, 2020