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Most people think that survival of the fittest is the triumph of brute force. It’s not. The survivors are those fittest to survive in changing environments.
Rugby union’s Nick Cummins’ nick-namesake, the thick-skinned honey badger, thrives in the most hostile of environments and conquers all comers, from cobras to lions.
Weighing about 10kg, standing a foot high and a couple long, honey badgers know their environment and work strategically. Their hunting and defence techniques are faultless. At first glance an unlikely survivor, what the honey badger lacks in brawn it makes up in brains.
Last Friday, James Graham showed how poorly adapted he is to the changing expectations of professional league players. He explained his own, and others’, bad behaviour by saying, “It’s probably not great behaviour from us in terms of crowd and referee, but when it’s at the top level and there’s so much energy and time invested in trying to get to the win and it comes down to that last 90 seconds, it’s hard.”
Other “last 90 seconds” disappointments have been handled very differently. The 2003 Rugby World Cup when, with 20 seconds’ extra time left, England’s Johnny Wilkinson kicked the winning drop goal to beat Australia. The 2013 Rugby League World Cup semi-final when, with 20 seconds left, New Zealand’s Shaun Johnson scored a try and killed England’s tournament hopes.
Despite their investment of energy and time, those top-level players didn’t struggle to behave professionally. If Graham doesn’t have the smarts to handle disappointment, he’s not as top level as he thinks.
The jury’s out on whether Des Hasler will or won’t need to take up Jaycar’s Gary Johnston on his strong-arm encouragement to let loose at the post-game press conference, safe in the knowledge that the $10,000 fine would be paid.
Referees are there to make the best decision they can based on the information they have. That doesn’t mean it will always be right or popular. Between Hasler and Graham, it’s perfectly clear what they think of Sutton’s decisions on the day and the general quality of NRL refereeing. If Johnston thinks it’s worth paying $10,000 to spray it across TV, more fool him.
Yes, the damage is done, but not the damage Graham, Hasler and Johnston hoped for. Reading people’s online comments and tweets shows how much they despise last Friday’s boorish, bullyboy attacks on referees and deliberate erosion of the integrity of the code.
They hate that these self-centred buffoons think they can mould league in their own selfish image. They see them for what they are – bad for the code, bad for the fans.
As long as Hasler, Johnston and others like them are allowed to pay their way out of bad behaviour, the rot will continue. Financial penalties don’t hit where it hurts; the NRL’s so awash with money that it’s lost any meaning.
Johnston has achieved the dubious distinction of being the first sponsor to deliberately damage the NRL’s reputation. It’s not an association the Bulldogs need, nor is it good for other sponsors. The best advertisement for Raelene Castle’s commitment to cultural change at the Bulldogs would be to terminate the Jaycar contract. Plenty of sponsors would be willing to step in to the gap because that’s the sort of brand integrity they want to be part of.
The days of the world being ruled by brute strength are over. That doesn’t mean we’ve levitated through the peace portal into a yogic utopia, it’s just that, more than ever, survival depends on intelligent responses to a rapidly changing world.
By next Friday, Raelene Castle will have given a crystal clear message to the bullies, the boofheads and anyone who thinks they can strong-arm her, the club and the code.
She’ll tell ‘em they’re dreamin’ if they think they’ll survive the season.
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