Rugby: Star players slam World Rugby over 'ridiculous' messages ban

Leading players - including some All Blacks - have reacted to World Rugby's proposed new ban on writing personal messages on their wrist tape. Photo / Photosport

A potential World Rugby directive banning players from writing personal messages on their wrist tape, a popular practice with many, including top All Blacks, has been slammed as "ridiculous".

The new policy, which is yet to be confirmed by World Rugby, emerged today via social media from Black Ferns player Niall Williams, the sister of All Black Sonny Bill Williams, who reported that players could stand to be fined $1,000 should they continue with the practice.

Niall Williams has blasted World Rugby for a proposed new ban. Photo / Photosport

The tweet was endorsed by All Black Ardie Savea and Niall Williams' Black Ferns teammate Sarah Goss, who added: "Rugby should embrace individuality, that's why so many of us play the game".

It's sad that in today's world we can't even write a personal message on our OWN WRISTS when we play.
My daughter's initials on my wrists means so much to me AND my daughters!
I would like to know what msgs @WorldRugby saw on wrists that made them come to this decision??#TL #RR

— Niall Williams (@nizzlewilliams) November 27, 2017

And, in an interview with the Herald, Canadian sevens player Jen Kish called the policy "just ridiculous", adding: "they have taken away my freedom to express myself".

The 29-year-old has written 'ruck cancer' on her wrists since 2014 after USA player Jill Potter was diagnosed with cancer. Kish said she has continued to write it in support of those battling the disease.

Kish told the Herald: "World Rugby had a manager's meeting yesterday. In the meeting, they were told about this new policy ... I do believe every athlete will be forced to sign this agreement."

Political statements have long been frowned on by World Rugby and New Zealand Rugby but this is the first time the game's governing body has threatened to end messages altogether.

Recently All Black prop Kane Hames was given a warning by NZ Rugby after writing a message of support for Native Americans while on a New Zealand Maori tour.

All Black prop Kane Hames was given a warning for his message. Photo / Photosport

Hames wrote "Standing Rock" on his wrist tape before a match against the USA Eagles in Chicago, a message of support for those protesting an oil pipeline through Native American land in North Dakota.

NZ Rugby also has set guidelines around what players can write on their apparel before matches – former All Black Josh Kronfeld was famously stopped from wearing an anti-nuclear sign on his headgear before a test against France in the 90s.

Many All Blacks write personal messages on their wrists, including loose forward Jerome Kaino, who always writes: "Mum" and "Dad", plus a cross and "Phil 4:13", a reference to a passage in the Bible which reads: "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

Former All Black Aaron Cruden used to write a message on a wrist which highlighted his battle with testicular cancer as a 19-year-old.

The Herald has contacted World Rugby for comment about the latest directive.

--More to come