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New Zealand’s rugby side have been criticised on social media in relation to their post to mark International Women’s Day on Tuesday.
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
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.
They said: “‘Sevu Reece beat his girlfriend in the street, let’s use him on our International Women’s Day post. Oh, and make sure you don’t mention the Black Ferns at all’- All Blacks social media team this morning.”
“Sevu Reece beat his girlfriend in the street, let’s use him on our International Women’s Day post. Oh, and make sure you don’t mention the Black Ferns at all”- All Blacks social media team this morning https://t.co/3TAdPPsDRe
— Patricia (@_PatriciaV_) March 8, 2022
Meanwhile another 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
A third user said: “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
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