If you’re a rugby fan, you’ve probably heard of the infamous Craig Joubert meme. In case you haven’t, let me fill you in. Craig Joubert is a South African rugby referee who made a controversial call during a match between Scotland and Australia in the 2015 Rugby World Cup. The call ultimately led to Australia winning the match and Scotland being eliminated from the tournament. But that’s not what made Craig Joubert famous. It was what happened after the match that made him a viral sensation.
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The Meme That Started It All
After the match, a photo of Craig Joubert sprinting off the field went viral. The photo was taken by a photographer who captured Joubert running away from the pitch with his arm raised in the air. The photo was quickly turned into a meme, with people adding captions like “When you leave work early on a Friday” and “When you finally get to go home after a long day at work.” The meme took off and soon everyone was talking about Craig Joubert.
The Backlash
While the meme was hilarious, it wasn’t without controversy. Many Scottish rugby fans were outraged by Joubert’s decision and felt that he had robbed their team of a victory. They took to social media to express their anger and frustration, with some even calling for Joubert to be banned from refereeing future matches. Joubert himself received a lot of hate mail and even death threats.
The Response
Despite the backlash, Joubert handled the situation with grace and professionalism. He issued a statement apologizing for the controversial call and explaining that he had made a mistake. He also acknowledged the backlash and thanked those who had supported him during the difficult time.
The Legacy of the Craig Joubert Meme
While the controversy surrounding the call has since died down, the Craig Joubert meme lives on. It has become a staple of rugby culture and is still shared and referenced on social media to this day. Even Joubert himself has embraced the meme, often retweeting or sharing posts that feature his famous sprint.
What People are Saying
We reached out to a few rugby fans to get their thoughts on the Craig Joubert meme. Here’s what they had to say: “I think the meme is hilarious. It’s a great way to poke fun at a controversial moment and bring some levity to the situation.” – John, 29 “I’m not a huge fan of the meme. I think it’s disrespectful to Joubert and the difficult position he was in during that match.” – Sarah, 32 “I love the Craig Joubert meme. It’s a classic example of how the internet can take something small and turn it into a cultural phenomenon.” – Mike, 27
Conclusion
Love it or hate it, the Craig Joubert meme is here to stay. It’s a reminder of the power of the internet to turn even the most serious moments into something lighthearted and humorous. And while the controversy surrounding the call may never completely go away, we can all agree that the meme is a pretty great way to remember one of rugby’s most memorable moments.
