One more reason to love rugby:
The Austrian national rugby team stripped naked in downtown Vilnius after a crushing 48-0 defeat by Lithuania, local media reported Tuesday.
Following the match, the 22 men climbed on top of stairs near a bar on Gediminas prospektas - the main pedestrian street in the Lithuanian capital - started to sing cheers, as the players took off their clothes to the applause of the public.
The players chanted “Shirts off! Pants off!” at one point and started a rendition of “Singing in the Rain.”
“Yes, these were the men we played against on Saturday … I guess the defeat could have prompted them to do that,” Lithuanian rugby federation President Aleksandras Makarenka told Reuters.
Gee, Ohio State didn’t act that way after being blown out of the last two BCS title games.
The video was taken off YouTube, but longtime Outsports reader Curt J found it on a Lithuanian site. Click here and scroll to the bottom for the video (there is nudity, so not safe for work). I am not sure how long it (the video, I mean) will stay up –Jim Buzinski
Related: The guy who shot the video describes what he saw.
on May 7th, 2008 at 9:26 am
The “incident” has not gone unnoticed in Austria either. The Austrian Rugby Federation (ÖRV) has published its official apologies (www.rugby-austria.at):
“Unfortunately members of the Austrian National Team were involved in the, from several medias reported, incident.
Even though the persons involved were not drunk and no dangerous or harmful actions occurred, this behaviour is totally unacceptable and thus the ÖRV strictly distances itself from it.
The ÖRV apologizes to all persons who felt disturbed, offended or emotionally hurt by this behaviour. This was certainly not the intention of the players involved. The ÖRV will forward an official apology to the Lithuanian Rugby Union and after investigating all the details the ÖRV will decide about internal sanctions.
ÖRV Communication”
Hmm… The ÖRV seems to have forgotten all those who did NOT feel disturbed, offended or emotionally hurt. They should at the same occasion have congratulated all those who enjoyed the view and found it rather hilarious instead
on May 7th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
You should see what happens when they win.
on May 9th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Cripes, are people really that sensitive… that they could be “emotionally hurt” by witnessing another person do something that is, at worst, socially inappropriate? I mean, it’s one thing to think it’s immature, or even criticize them for doing it (not that I would!!
), but being *psychologically injured* by the sight of a naked human body? What the hell have we come to?
Ah well, at least I can take some solace in the apparent fact that the tendency toward hyperactive personal umbrage isn’t the uniquely American foible I thought it was. It’s not fun to be a dunce, but being surrounded by a whole confederacy of ‘em at least makes it bearable.
on May 16th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
What was amusing about this video (which I have watched about 20 times - it’s so hot) is how coordinated and coreographed it is. They all were in sync with the motions and the stripping and they followed the team captain’s orders. Great sportsmanship. Too bad they don’t play as well as they strip.
Since it was so perfectly orchestrated, it seems to me they must have planned this well in advance and, possibly, have done it before.
Any one go any pics of the individual players involved?
on May 17th, 2008 at 12:22 am
Another perspective…maybe these guys aren’t as dumb as they may seem. This was actually a deft political move.
Instead of everyone talking about the drubbing they received in the game, they’re now talking about the sexy striptease they did. And, they’re gathering fans and admirers.
Think Hillary and Obama might….oh, never mind.
on Jul 24th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
Judging from the catcalls from those watching not too many seemed psychologically injured. What’s the big deal anyways? If someone’s offended by something like that just walk away. Incidentally, I so would have been the boy at the end who was gawking if i had been there at his age
on Sep 16th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
I always wondered what rugby guys do out of the scrum and out of their clothes. What wholesome good fun. I wonder if they need a full time videographer?
on Sep 28th, 2008 at 7:51 am
At about 2:45 somebody shouts something about “something…something…and the gay guy!” whatever that was about. It all seemed good natured and like a bunch of people blowing off steam.
Nothing to get their panties in a bunch over. OOOPS! Can I say that?
on Feb 21st, 2009 at 7:58 pm
What a pity that the link says ‘Australian’ yet the story is about an Austrian team… don’t tell me you still think Australia is in Europe?
http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/2008/05/07/australian-rugby-team-loses-48-0-gets-naked/
Remember, we’re from DOWN-UNDER, not over there…
on May 22nd, 2009 at 2:50 am
Спасибо автору!
on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 6:26 am
Invite guest speakers in who represent the careers of choice. ,