When the rugby world is in mourning, it's probably not the best time to say anything controversial - intentional or not - on social media. Unfortunately no one at the official Super Rugby twitter account decided to review this normally innocuous tweet sent this morning during the Hurricanes hammering of the Highlanders.
Ordinarily, the idea of comparing the behemoth that is Julian Savea to a bus would ok. But given the news about former Hurricane Jerry Collins' death in a collision with a bus from this morning - the phrase used in the tweet is quite insensitive.
Collins started his career in Wellington, playing for the Hurricanes for seven years in Super Rugby and earning 85 Super Rugby caps.
It's clear that there was no malice intended in the tweet, but it was left up for over an hour. The tweet was eventually taken down, but not before a number of people expressed their shock and annoyance at the insensitivity of the tweet:
Edit: The account and the person responsible has since apologised for the tweet to every person below:
Apologies for the earlier tweet guys. We've been using Savea's nickname all year and didn't join the dots in light of today's tragic news.
— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) June 5, 2015
@Nakiman @patrick478 Innocent mistake there, which I put my hand up for. I've tweeted Savea's nickname every week & failed to draw link.
— Alistair Hogg (@AlistairCricket) June 5, 2015
See Also: Former All Black Star Jerry Collins And Wife Tragically Killed
See Also: The Wonderful Story That Shows Why Jerry Collins Was Such A Fan Favourite
Photo Credit Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
