In Australia in decades past, you could only legally bet on horses or greyhounds. This, presumably, was because animals will not act dishonestly in return for money.
A further safeguard was present: every race was scrutinised by a panel of stipendiary stewards.
If a runner did not perform to expectations, or a jockey did not appear to be ‘on the job’, or the betting signaled something was amiss, the stewards would investigate.
These safeguards didn’t always work because those wishing to influence the results of races have, at various times and to varying degrees, been able to infiltrate the racing industry from top to bottom.
Stablehands, jockeys, and trainers are obvious targets for organised crime. But also stewards, bookmakers, administrators, journalists, and even high court judges have all been ‘on the take’.
So the history of the racing industry in Australia has involved a constant battle between the forces of good and evil, and through various eras, one side or the other appeared to gain the upper hand.
But with the internet revolution, the gambling industry has opened up, and it is now possible in Australia to legally bet on competitions where the athletes involved are humans.
The safeguard implicit with animal racing – that the athletes are incorruptible – is gone.
The second safeguard is also missing: there is no panel of stewards watching for irregularities in the performance of those involved in these events.
The forces of evil have got an unopposed ride.
So the recent NRL betting scandal comes as no surprise, and is unlikely to be an isolated event.
Furthermore, it is very unlikely that such corruption is confined to the NRL.
Wherever you have gambling, there is the potential for corruption.
The relative ease with which a match outcome might be altered will vary from sport to sport depending on how many key participants would need to be influenced to achieve a pre-determined outcome.
Rugby union would appear to be particularly vulnerable in this regard.
Firstly, the refereeing of the game is open to considerable interpretation, and decisions are often contentious.
Secondly, there is one position in the team that has a disproportionate influence on the result.
The player in that position is not only responsible for navigating the team around the park, but he is usually also the goalkicker in a sport where points from the boot make up a large part of the score.
That player has the number 10 on his back.
So to ‘fix’ a game of rugby would not be particularly difficult.
Money is being taken by bookmakers and betting agencies around the world on the outcome of SuperRugby games, and in many of these games only one person would need to be corrupted to ensure a result.
ToddH
Roar Rookie
Starting with a W?
ToddH
Roar Rookie
Could this be referring to the performance of an Australian team 10 days ago?
Dasher
Guest
I still can't make sense of Australia vs Scotland 2009. I really hope I'm just being theatrical.
KTinHK
Guest
If one team is 6-4 on, and the opposing number 10 is not on the job, or the referee is on the take, it is no longer a gamble; it becomes a guaranteed investment in which a 67% profit is returned in 80 minutes.
Republican
Guest
Already happens - in Super Rugby I reckon. The Rebels v Brumbies was a bit on the nose if you ask me.
Stu Wilsons Gloves
Guest
I heard from very good sources that an international game in 2007 was rigged, The referees display was so blatantly biased that the fix must have been in. Wayne Barnes will be arrested very soon, watch this space.
The Answer
Guest
I've heard a few Super 15 games had some suspicious betting patterns connected with them so it is a watch this space. Importantly the suspicions come from a betting group in South Africa and there is as yet no evidence that any Aussie teams have been involved.
Ken
Guest
Is there any doubt that this could happen in Union? It could happen in any sport, the NRL actually has more safeguards than most - which is probably why this has got far enough to be a police matter rather than just a rumour of something dodgy happening as per most of the goings on in the cricket world (and maybe the Italy v France game!)
Snowman
Guest
Seriously - If a game is close, and the two teams are evenly matched -it is often (if not always) the ref who will decide the result. If there is anything to worry about going forward in Union, is how you make sure the ref stays honest - For the record: I am not suggesting at all that I believe any ref has been dishonest to date.
Snowman
Guest
Could this be the Brumbies problem?
B-Rock
Roar Guru
On that basis lock Gits up now - he wears No. 10 and his goal kicking and general play has been atrocious in recent years - changed so quickly from best player in the world discussions to struggling to make the WBs 22... Of course this could just be a dramatic form slump On a serious note, I highly doubt players would throw an international, even putting national pride, etc to one side, they would particularly not throw one which would be such a huge upset and be under intense scrutiny like France v Italy. Lets face it, France are just consistently inconsistent - have fallen out of all RWC calculations so losing to Italy is not as big a shock as it first appears Corruption tends to occur where players are paid very little (i.e. Pakistan cricket, lower end of NRL due to salary cap, US college sport, etc). French rugby players earn a small fortune making it uneconomic for most "fixes". this is where KTinHK is onto something with referees. My reasoning: - More judgement is used in rugby refereeing than any other sport I can think of, - Not sure how much they get paid but I dont imagine it is a great deal, - Recent very poor refing in 6N and Super Rugby has certainly rasied eyebrows - They are clearly not accountable for poor performance, with Paddy O'Brien seemingly blindly protective of, rather than analytical of his team of referees - Wouldnt be the first time refs were on the take (NBA, Donaghy scandal) While not pointing any fingers at individuals, as some of these refs may just be as poor as they appear to be, but the question does need to be asked.
David Lord
Expert
Heaven forbid ptovey1, but that was my immediate reaction. I was alerted to the possibility when French coach Marc Lievremont said pre-match that Italy would beat France one day, despite a 13-0 win history for the French - "It will happen, maybe this weekend". Food for thought?
Brian
Guest
Your kidding. What price would you give me for the first scoring play being a penalty in union. Even Anthony Watts couldn't stuff that up......
sheek
Guest
No, never! Us rugby folk are above this sort of thing.....?!?!?!?!?
bazza
Guest
maybe if people cared enough
ptovey01
Roar Pro
Are you suggesting possibly there was some type of corruption in the France Italy game?