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The foreword to the laws of rugby state the object of the game is for the players to observe fair play according to the laws and sporting spirit.
Law 10.4(m) provides that a player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship in the playing enclosure.
Last Saturday, Nick Phipps pushed an Argentinian medic in the back, causing him to fall to the ground heavily. It was clear the Argentinian was attempting to play the ball in some way. Clearly, it was none of the Argentinian’s business to be anywhere near the ball. His actions were wrong. However, I suggest the actions of Phipps were worse.
The Argentinian was not facing Phipps when he was pushed in the back. It was obvious the Argentinian had no idea Phipps was behind him. Observing the Argentinian later in the match, I noticed that he was much older and appeared much less fit than Phipps is. Phipps, therefore, not only had a physical advantage over the unsuspecting medic, he also had the advantage of coming from behind.
Even if Phipps had come towards the medic from the front, the medic could hardly expect that he would be assaulted by a player.
If Phipps was able to obtain the ball, no advantage to Australia could have been obtained. Play was dead. It was about to be restarted by a scrum. The place of the scrum was about 20 metres away, but was yet to be formed.
Even if it had, Phipps could not put the ball in until the referee had indicated he could. In other words, the Argentinian who was wrongly attempting to pick up the ball had no effect upon the game whatsoever.
Law 6 provides that the match is under the control of the match officials. Under the Laws, the referee has the ability to refuse anybody entry to the playing enclosure.
The referee could have ordered the medic from the playing enclosure because of his interference with the ball, although, bearing in mind its lack of impact on play, perhaps the medic’s actions did not warrant that.
Nevertheless, it was not Phipps who should have taken the law into his own hands by doing what it did.
What Phipps did was crass, unsportsmanlike and not within the spirit of the game. It was tiny-minded and petulant, just as it was when he threw the boot of an opponent away in the Test against New Zealand a couple of weeks ago.
Is that what we want our children to see and do? Rugby prides itself on having values. Phipps does not reflect them. He should no longer be a Wallaby.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.