Jacob Umaga deactivates Instagram account following trolls' abuse

[COYW15]

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/wasps-jacob-umaga-rugby-news-19800004

Wasps fly-half Jacob Umaga has deactivated Instagram after coming under fire for his recent performances.
CoventryLive understands the 22-year-old removed himself from the social media platform after fellow users took advantage of its direct messaging feature to share their thoughts via his inbox.
Umaga was recently selected in England's shadow squad for the Six Nations, meaning he remains with his club and is on standby if Eddie Jones requires his services.
In the first match following the squad announcement, Wasps fell to their heaviest home league defeat in nine years going down 49-17 to Harlequins at the Ricoh Arena.
Umaga was by no means alone in performing below par but his eight turnovers of possession during the match were key to Wasps struggling to exert any kind of control on the match.
The former Kenilworth RFC junior player is understood to have deactivated his Instagram following that match and his account remains unavailable.
Wasps head coach Lee Blackett revealed he spoke to Umaga in the week that followed the game and that Umaga was frustrated with his performance.
Blackett said: “He’s one of those players you just trust so much. He does have the ability to make mistakes, but he always seems to find a way to come up with an X-factor moment or a big moment. We forget how young he is. He’s got massive potential, and he’s nowhere near his best. He’s got so much further to grow as a player and we’re excited to see how much he can grow.”
Teenager Charlie Atkinson, also named as an England shadow squad member, started at fly-half against Northampton Saints last weekend.
Umaga arrived from the bench in place of fullback Rob Miller with 23 minutes to go and showed some encouraging signs with ball in hand as Wasps attempted to overhaul a 22-point half-time deficit.

But his afternoon will be remembered for a forward pass to Zach Kibirige when well placed as well as a missed kick to touch from a promising penalty position.
The following day and also faced with a five-point deficit, Ireland fullback Billy Burns suffered a similar moment of misfortune as his penalty kick to touch sailed into the ingoal area as Wales sealed a 21-16 victory.
It led to the Ulster fly-half receiving a barrage of abuse on social media, including some users tagging him in on Twitter and urging him to retire. It prompted  the Ireland international to deactivate his Twitter account.
CoventryLive rugby writer Bobby Bridge
"Social media is great for sports fans as it provides a level of interaction with their heroes which just didn't exist before. But this is the other side of it. Young players especially grew up with social media in their lives so these kinds of messages will be seen at a time when they already have the weight of the world on their shoulders.
"I've had to write critical things about Jacob for his recent performances, that is part and parcel of the job. It wasn't so long ago I, and many others, were lavishing praise upon him for his dazzling displays en route to Twickenham last year - where he scored a memorable try in the final. He's a special talent who has had a dip in form.
"But targeting the individuals by 'calling them out' on Twitter or messaging them directly on Instagram really beggars belief. Nobody will be feeling the recent dip in form more keenly than Jacob.
"The guy eats, sleeps and breathes rugby and for a 22-year-old, he's already given so much back to the sport. On the day of his first England call-up, the biggest moment of his career, that night he was out on a cold Coventry night coaching the city's women's university team. In non Covid-times he also coaches at grassroots men's club Aston Old Edwardians RFC. He is also prominent with Wasps' latest community initiative, Project Rugby at Home, which is helping young people to stay engaged with sport.
"Having an opinion and sharing it is one thing, but directly targeting a player is another. People must be kinder and think things through before they go directly seeking out sportsmen like Jacob or Billy, who will already be feeling things deeply, without the added abuse and criticism coming directly their way online via social media."

[HDAWG]

For god's sake, no wonder he struggles.

Yes that's it, berate the player until he plays better, that always works. You forget the awful bombardment of criticism players and referees get from this sport.

This is exacerbated due to his age, his situation of being pushed with England and the pressure he no doubt faces. Disgusting behaviour and I hope he recovers from it.