How the Blues could have won over Suncorp crowd
Columnist By David Lord, 8 Jul 2011 David Lord is a Roar Expert
- Tagged:
- Darren Lockyer, Mark Gasnier, NSW Blues, Peter Sterling, Queensland Maroons, Ray Warren, State Of Origin
As expected, NSW was roundly and loudly booed by the 52,498 Suncorp crowd when they took the field first on Wednesday night for the Origin decider. But class act Mark Gasnier had the right idea.
He was the only one in the 17 man NSW squad to clap the Origin-retiring Darren Lockyer when he ran on alone to a thunderous reception from the faithful.
What better way to defuse the parochial Suncorp crowd than for the arch-enemy to recognise Queensland’s favourite son by clapping him on in unison.
Besides, it was the sporting thing to do for Origin’s most-capped footballer. Mark’s uncle – the Immortal Reg Gasnier, “Puff the Magic Dragon” – would have done the same under the circumstances.
Class is in the blood.
And had NSW captain Paul Gallen moved 20 metres to his right to shake Lockyer’s hand before the national anthem, even the most parochial of Queenslanders in the crowd would have stood and applauded the gesture.
But the moment was lost.
There was still time for redemption. Had the NSW squad stayed near the race to the sheds for another 15 minutes, they could have formed a guard of honour as Lockyer, and his record sixth series-winning team, headed for the showers.
Again, an ideal chance to win approval from the parochial – moment two lost.
And lost on an incredible 2.5 million viewers nationally on Channel 9, a rating that thumped MasterChef.
Can you imagine the on-air salute to NSW from commentators Ray Warren, Peter Sterling, and Phil Gould – and especially from the dyed-in-the-wool Queenslanders Wally Lewis, and Fatty Vautin?
It would have been priceless for recognising sportsmanship.
But rugby league isn’t the only code to miss the moment. Rugby had a golden opportunity in August last year.
It was champion Bok lock Victor Matfield’s 100th Test cap, at another cauldron – Loftus Versfield – with a parochial 52,000.
I suggested to the ARU it would be a sporting gesture for Wallaby skipper Rocky Elsom to go out of his way to shake Matfield’s hand in mid-field to recognise his milestone before the national anthems.
Not only the sporting thing to do, but an ideal way to defuse the parochialism that is just as rampant at Loftus, Matfield’s home ground, as it is at Suncorp, Lockyer’s home turf.
Having agreed it was a top suggestion, it never happened, and the Wallabies copped stick all game before losing 44-31.
Niceties aren’t a sign of weakness. Just the right attitude.
Recommend this story.
The Turkey 10
The Turkey 10 teams have now been selected, as Wild Turkey Bourbon's sport sponsorship kicks into the next exciting phase.
Choose which side you're going to support and get in the running to win $2,500!
Simply visit Wild Turkey Australia on Facebook for your chance to win.
Find out more.
July 8th 2011 @ 8:01am
AT said | July 8th 2011 @ 8:01am | Report comment
Absolute rubbish. Whilst I agree such a sporting gesture would be classy, it would have done absolutely nothing to diffuse the crowd. Absolutely nothing. To suggest otherwise is absolute rubbish.
July 8th 2011 @ 8:21am
oikee said | July 8th 2011 @ 8:21am | Report comment
I like the handshakes, i think we dont do enough handshaking. And the Polynesian manhugs. This is just a simple form of saying well done. Its a tough game, nobody can begrudge some manlove after a tough game.
To do otherwise is holding a grudge.
The game is heading in the right direction, i hope it keeps going this way. The last thing i want to see is angry players spitting after the final whistle.
July 8th 2011 @ 8:10am
oikee said | July 8th 2011 @ 8:10am | Report comment
Well said David, and it is a part of the game rugby league really needs to work on. They do a better job in England with sporting etiquet, much much better.
I have been saying for a long time that rugby league needs to make more of a effort to increase this part of the game. Players who reach milestones, we do very little to appreciate what they have done.
I could come up with some fabulous ideas for the game. I am sure the rugby union world cup in NZ will be doing a great job over their, but its not all about other codes, it is up to rugby league to show some leadership in this area.
I dont even care if we spend half of the tv money on this one area alone. Do it at the Bush grounds as well, when we take games out west, lets take the whole shubang with us. Lets make it a event that will be talked about for many moons, instead of just heading out of town on a lame horse.
Here are just 2 simple ideas, as they do in England, have kids running out holding the players hands. And women water carriers, i seen one the other day at a league game, very nice touch. I think women should run rugby league, they could probably do a better job than this mob who have run our game. The women in league round is fantastic, and pink everywhere is a nice touch.
July 8th 2011 @ 8:26am
Willy said | July 8th 2011 @ 8:26am | Report comment
I played rugby union for years and years.
Before each game we would shake hands with every opposition player, and at full time we would form a guard of honour, clap each other off and shake hands again.
It’s all about mutual respect, and it made it much easier to share a beer after the game, regardless of the result on the pitch.
July 8th 2011 @ 8:41am
Dean - Surry Hills said | July 8th 2011 @ 8:41am | Report comment
Next, you’ll be wanting the Kiwi’s to give group hugs a moment before they perform the Haka.
By psyching a team out prior to the battle – you’re half way to winning the war.
Play hard – but fair, that’s real sportsmanship.
The boys possibly need to take a lesson from the under 10′s when a game is completed though.
QLD – Three cheers for NSW – hip hip hooray, and vice versa.
July 8th 2011 @ 8:56am
Phil said | July 8th 2011 @ 8:56am | Report comment
Agree 100% David – I remember when playing union we would always line up before the game and shake the hands of all our opponents and the referee/linesmen, and would always shake hands and clap off the otherteam after a game. When I switched to league, this was sadly missing – many of our teammates were reluctant to even shake their opponents hands after the game. Now that I am playing Aussie rules, I make a point of shaking my direct opponent’s hand and wishing them luck before the first bounce – I think it just helps to reinforce that it’s only footy at the end of the day – yes play hard and play to win, but do it in the right spirit.
July 8th 2011 @ 9:05am
Hoy said | July 8th 2011 @ 9:05am | Report comment
Last night on the footy show, Gallen said he was pretty filthy after losing. Fine, but he should have been a better bloke and acknowledged Locky’s retirement.
I think some of the suggestions above are fantastic. They have certainly made me think about my attitude.
July 8th 2011 @ 9:10am
mushi said | July 8th 2011 @ 9:10am | Report comment
Oikee I think evolution has led to blokes running the world for a reason… when women have “run” things that left the guys looking after the kids and destroying the next generation.
July 8th 2011 @ 2:09pm
oikee said | July 8th 2011 @ 2:09pm | Report comment
Yes, men pushing prams is not a good look. Maybe a pram race with the babies still in the prams might be fun,.
July 8th 2011 @ 9:34am
Stu said | July 8th 2011 @ 9:34am | Report comment
I actually looked for the NSW team clapping as Lockyer ran past them before the anthem and didn’t see anyone. I’ll have to watch it again and look for Mark, my opinion of him might be about to change.
–
Comment left via The Roar’s iPhone app. Download The Roar’s iPhone App in the App Store here.
July 8th 2011 @ 10:08am
David Lord said | July 8th 2011 @ 10:08am | Report comment
Stu, Mark Gasnier was third from the left on the screen – Paul Gallen, Greg Bird, then Gasnier.
July 8th 2011 @ 9:37am
Tiger Tez said | July 8th 2011 @ 9:37am | Report comment
What a load of crap!
July 8th 2011 @ 10:29am
Big Time said | July 8th 2011 @ 10:29am | Report comment
Up on the Northern Rivers in the NRRRL Competition, it is still the done thing for each side to form a guard and clap the opposition off following the game. This happens for all grades.
July 8th 2011 @ 11:46am
Football United said | July 8th 2011 @ 11:46am | Report comment
i do prefer the handshakes and walkout that is standard in football and sometimes english rugby league to the run out with explosions and loud music rah rah with the other sports here. it would be good to see at the very least the captains shake hands before the game.