I have about three articles percolating in my mind for The Roar at the moment (and have been for about six months due to a one-year-old daughter and my job taking up 99 per cent of my time), but they have been pushed aside to give voice to my flabbergasted reply to the ‘Tahs boo crisis.
I sat in the crowd for the Cheetahs game, in the same season pass seats I have sat with the same bunch of blokes since 2003, and watched one of the worst performances the Tahs have ever put it (and I have seen a few).
The Cheetahs were workmanlike, and that proved enough.
At the end of it, the crowd, frustrated at their team dropping the ball repeatedly, showing an apparent inability to cope with the Cheetahs simply competing well at the breakdown and an apparent inability to adapt their game-plan to cope, proceeded to boo their team.
It is something I haven’t done before, and I can’t remember the Tahs crowd doing it before, but the performance was that bad it seemed appropriate. Crowds express their appreciation for teams and games with applause.
There is a response available when the feeling is the opposite.
In the following week I have seen what I can only regard as an overreaction from certain segments of the rugby community to the booing. You’d think the fans had stormed the field and sacrificed a pig on the pitch while demanding the Tahs all commit hari kiri there and then.
The general reply seemed to be “how dare they”.
Firstly, Matt Burke in The Sydney Morning Herald said, “In the most humble way possible – until you have played at Super Rugby level you can’t comprehend what happens out on the field.”
The flaming that followed in the comments for that article showed that, for the vast majority of readers (including me), they disagreed with Matt.
Then Ruggamatrix’s podcast last week, in a discussion between hosts Djuro Sen, Mark Cashman (whom I have the utmost respect for) and the Rebels’ Adam Freier, engaged in a critique of the booing.
While indicating everyone was entitled to their opinion, the booing had “crossed the line”.
Now I wasn’t present when Dean Mumm, captain for that game, was apparently booed during an after game interview. Or when the players coming out to the (remnant) crowd were apparently booed.
I had already gotten out of the ground as fast as possible to go drown my sorrows at a nearby pub. I can say that may have been pushing it a bit.
However, the suggestion that the Tahs crowd somehow (there seemed to be a suggestion by Adam Freier Tahs crowds don’t usually show enough passion in good times to entitle booing in the bad times, like AFL crowds) weren’t entitled to show their displeasure by booing is just ridiculous.
Further, this criticism seems to completely miss the point.
That booing to me was pretty much the culmination of years of Tahs supporters being disappointed and let down. A South African team, a wet night – the crowd was pretty poor, so the fans there must be considered the rusted on fanatics.
The fact that the crowd against the Cheetahs was as poor as 15 years ago (when in 2002 and 2003 games were sell outs, and even SAF teams got crowds in the mid 20,000s), and is close to matched by the crowd the Rebels can get for the Hurricanes, shows the Tahs (and arguably Australian rugby generally) have a deeper problem than just one game.
Any regular reader of The Roar has seen the spleen venting that can go on against the Tahs on various issues, and much of it with some basis.
This is not personal attacks on players, but criticism of deep seated problems in the administration of the game in this state, and also the way the team seems to be run and the philosophy it approaches the game with.
The comments replying to Matt Burke’s article also touched on these.
As such, I would argue that with the poor performance against the Cheetahs it finally all proved too much, and the crowd “snapped” (in as much as booing a poor performance is snapping, and going beyond the pale so far as to attract opprobrium from ex-Wallabies and the rugby media).
With this in mind, one grinding win over the Brumbies is not likely to have salved the Tah supporters and make everything okay again.
I support the Tahs and rugby with a passion, and I have ever since seeing my first Super 10 game against Western Province in 1995 and thinking, “I’ve been liking this since the 1991 World Cup, but this is the game for me!” I have supported the Tahs through the long dry years when we had supposedly the best team in Australia, and did nothing with it, and then through the good (but not title winning) times of making the semis and even finals.
I have travelled to Canberra to be abused by Brumbies supporters when losing, and see the Tahs’ first precious win away there. I have sat in the driving rain to watch my team at the beloved SFS.
I put up having to justify the time and expense of going to Tahs games to my wife, while having a young family.
So when “my” team plays a dog of a game, and far below what they should have, and I feel a bit disappointed in that effort, I’ll express that disappointment in the time honoured and traditional way. I’ll boo.
It’s not a personal attack on the players, or questioning their integrity or so forth. It’s me saying, “I’m not happy! Pull you’re fingers out boys and do better!”
After 17 years of cheering the stuff that deserved to be cheered, I’ll bloody well boo when it deserves to be booed.
Here’s hoping from now on it’s all cheers to the end of the season!
jeznez
Guest
ps I completely agree with your comment about agression and basics - I think if they had done that they wouldn't have been booed - even if they still lost.
jeznez
Guest
Have to admit I'm inferring it from his comment regarding if you haven't played at that level you cannot understand. He may not have meant it that way but I read that as a clear statement separating people who have worn the jersey from those who haven't. Maybe that says more about me than what he was trying to say. You are correct that booing is a negative - but I don't think too many people were calmly making a judgement call. I wasn't at the game (I live in Singapore these days) so was watching from afar but I was disgusted by what I saw, they looked like a team that appeared to think it just needed to show up to win and then when it got a bit hard put their heads down and whimpered. In the end no one looks good here, not of the coach and selectors who had two weeks to prepare, the players who didn't perform, the crowd who booed nor the ex-player who told people they were not qualified to comment. There has been some precious commentary from this article and the likes of Adam Freier and Phil Waugh for quite a while and there is becoming an antagonistic relationship between the players and supporters but what is a New South Welshman to do? I'm not going to support another team even if I don't like some of the things that have been going on with this one. A case in point has been the reliance on Baxter and loss of Palmer - I'm not going to switch my allegiance to the Brumbies but I want the coaches/selectors to know what I think - should I write them a letter?
bjornthor
Guest
Can you show me where Burke implies the players/ex-players own the jersey. http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/to-the-booing-fans-have-you-played-at-super-rugby-level-20110324-1c8k2.html You're right about it looking like the Tahs weren't trying, but I think they were trying, problem was their game plan fell apart, they got frustrated and lost focus. It's easy to sit back and judge and say they should have done this or that. I think they should have just focussed on aggression and basics, but Burke's point is that unless you've played at that level you don't know how difficult those situations can be. I haven't played super rugby, but even in grade I've played games where you are trying to make things work, but it just wont come right, you get frustrated and things fall apart. It happens. I know, they are professional and should be able to get around this. Well that's one of the problems with the Tahs. They can't. Even if they weren't trying. What do you think booing will do? Do you think the players will really be motivated to play better for a bunch of ingrates who boo when they think they're not trying? If they do, that motivation wont last long. Motivation comes from wanting to win the competition. I've heard Fitzpatrick's comments about the NZ jersey, commentators often talk about it, it's a fair call, but there's not much honour in booing either, seems like it just creates a negative spiral.
jeznez
Guest
Nah mate it has been said fifty times above. As a group of fans it did not look like the Waratahs were trying and that is why they got booed. Who owns the jersey of the NSW Waratahs? Matt Burke implies it is the players and ex-players. If you ever get the chance to meet Sean Fitzpatrick ask him who owns the All Blacks jersey, he'll tell you it is the people of NZ - the players just get the honour of wearing it and have a custodial responsibility to do it proud. The performance of the Waratahs against the Cheetahs did not do the people of NSW proud. David Campese on the other hand has said that he doesn't think fans should be allowed to wear representative jerseys because they haven't earnt it. He'd like the word replica on every jersey not given to a player - detect a difference?
jeznez
Guest
Was that the four minute series of scrums that included a yellow card and a penalty try - tough if you were sitting in the other corner but I enjoyed watching those scrums on the telly.
Ben S
Roar Guru
That's a sure fire way to help facilitate better results... What is this Australian obsession with money in rugby? it's quit simply ridiculous.
jeznez
Guest
I like the idea - almost a performanced based salary cap. Perform badly as a team and the Union will have more in the war chest to recruit more cattle in the future!
jeznez
Guest
actually Bill - on review I am going to assume that was the whole point of your bit of word play. if so well played
jeznez
Guest
ha ha, I couldn't resist since they are both real ex-players. ps I always thought it was berk - or were you just seeing if I'd bite a second time?
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
Pedantic burke! Or should that be pedantic burk?
bjornthor
Guest
Booing is essentially passing judgement on the Tahs, that they were not up to an expected standard. Burke seemed to be suggesting (in the nicest way possible), who the hell are we to JUDGE, given that we've never played at that level. I agree. Booing seems to reflect a change in our expectations of what viewing sport is about. We are paying to watch a competition between two sides. We are not paying to be entertained by the Tahs alone. Most entertainment is a contract whereby we pay someone to entertain us directly. So music, comedy, theatre, steak restaurants etc... we pay a fee and expect the entertainer to taylor the show to directly entertain us. In rugby, we pay to watch two teams compete against each other. We aren't (I hope) asking the Tahs to be thinking about whether we in the crowd are happy. We are there to watch the spectacle of how good their skills and character are, not sure if it's fair the judge them if they are flawed. Sometimes I do think the Tahs are inconsistent with their focus and toughness. Often I think they are one of the least mentally tough teams in the comp, unfortunately that seems to be a quality they seem to have. I just don't see the point in booing them because that's the way they are. In fact, I only think it'll make the problem worse, they'll be thinking about pleasing the crowd rather than beating their man. Perhaps Sydney's hedonism and penchant for inflating egos reduces the players (relative) reward of winning a rugby battle, and that's the reason the Tahs often lose focus. Apparently Phil Waugh lives in a cave in a Sydney national park and his pay is a bucket of raw fish heads after every game. Perhaps that's why he is consistently fighting in the battle.
jeznez
Guest
I hadn't heard what Bourke said on the issue but is sounds similar to what Burke said. Is it because they are both called Matt and played for the Waratahs?
P.Tah
Guest
David B, I went to the game tonight as well. No atmosphere? Where were you sitting? Sit at the northern end. We're the Great unwashed. Plenty of atmosphere. The Waikato fans, are tough but everyone of them came and shook our hand after the game. Top stuff. Give each other heaps during the game, but after the whistle go and and have drink with each other. I had a great night. PS: Tahs - well done.
David B
Guest
Howdy! Went to the game tonight. 'Tahs won and no boos - but I won't be going back. I've seen better games of reserve grade league. Drew Mitchell mis-kicked twice when not under pressure. The tahs pushed the pass all the time. I kid you not, but in the first half, we had a 4 minute scrum! Terrible referreeing. I'll tune in again for the internationals. That was horrible, woeful, boring and without atmosphere.
Gary
Guest
The Waratahs have a problem. The Brumbies are a joke. But the Force, Reds and Rebels are doing just fine thanks you. NSW and ACT Rugby have a problem, not Australia.
EvertonAndAustralia
Roar Pro
Reds fan here but I agree with your article
Wingersliketowatch
Guest
Agree Bush BOOING the success of the opposition is a blight on the game. Hate it wish I could think of a way to stop it. Irish culture lessons perhaps (Irish are VERY respectful to visiting teams). BUT venting your feelings to your own team is a right of free speech. Lions fan above is entitled to his opinion - patronising and moralising as it is- he is entitled to it. But it's not a morality contest. It's a rugby contest and by all accounts our team did NOT contest. Feed 'em to the lions. That's how it goes in the Colosseum.
Chris K
Guest
I have to congratulate some of the Tahs players who copped the boos and took them graciously, in particular Berrick Barnes who had a shocker that night and was able to be honest in his performance
jonnymcjohnjohn
Guest
Oh god, not the "Think of the children" defence. Secondly the Cheetahs didn't play that well themselves and personally I think its because you're a Saffa that you're offended that no one applaud the cheetahs, the opposition only gets applauded if they put on a virtuoso display, As a lions fan do you or your fellow supporters applaud every team that thrashes them? And as a lions fan you're probably used to some terrible displays of mediocrity that booing your team is probably pointless. Well maybe you should boo, it may just improve their game.
Glenn Condell
Guest
Well said Pablo. It isn't being beaten, even by a lesser team, that rankles. It is the lack of effort and enterprise, the one-out brainlessness of the tahs 'attack', the line-up of stationary forwards being fed slow passes from yet another ruck after another one-out run by a one-paced pig in blue, that kills me. They look like people at work waiting for the whistle rather than a group of blokes playing a game they love. You don't need to have played at that level to see those things. It's like watching England play before Youngs, Foden and co arrived - clueless and stodgy - and it didn't improve much last weekend.