Matt Bowen debuts for Wigan
NewsFebruary 8, 2014 0:39
MATT Bowen is one of rugby league’s greatest ambassadors but Wigan fans took just one game to declare him a dud, labelling him “Fatty Bowen”.
The unfortunate nickname for the legendary fullback came after reigning Super League champions Wigan were trounced by 24-8 by Huddersfield.
It was a shock loss for the league-mad region and as the big-name import to replace Test star Sam Tomkins, Bowen was always going to wear the brunt of it.
One of the nicest men in rugby league probably never imagined it would be this harsh as fans tore into his appearance in the first round of the premiership.
At one point during the match, “Fatty Bowen” was trending as fans attacked him for indulging in Wigan’s notoriously delicious pies.
Here is just some of the verbal abuse he was the subject of on social media:
“What I’ve learned from start of Super League 19..... Nobody’s worried about Fatty Bowen apart from his dietician”.
“Fatty Bowen should be off the field! Embarrassing! “No new tricks, no Sam Tomkins and fatty Bowen!#longseasonahead”.
“Matty Bowen immersing himself in the Wigan culture of pies I see #fatty”.
To make matters worse, an hour into the fullback’s debut for Wigan, the 31-year-old was put on report after he took out opposite number Scott Grix without the ball.
Even a one-week ban would rule him out of the World Club Challenge against the Sydney Roosters later this month.
Read more: http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/...#ixzz2t394xZaa