On the face of it, referee Wayne Barnes had no alternative but to red card Northampton captain, Dylan Hartley, for his ‘f…… cheat’ comment to him during the Aviva Premiership final over the weekend.
The lead-up to the comment involved Barnes ordering a scrum on the Northampton 22 with time up in the first half, after the defending team stuffed up a drop out. The Leicester opposition pack put on a tremendous scrum and smashed the Northampton scrum.
Hartley, infuriated by the series of events, lost his cool and made his infamous accusation.
There is one big thing that need to be understood about the New Zealand born and bred Hartley. He is a Mad Dog player. He has been suspended three times in the past for gouging, biting and striking an opponent. Now comes this fourth suspension.
It has been reported that Hartley has made efforts in the past to curb his inflammable temper. These efforts have included visits to psychologists.
But it is clear from his words to Barnes, that the treatment hasn’t worked.
Hartley has claimed that his words were addressed to his opposition hooker and former Lions team-mate and England rival, Tom Youngs. Barnes is a highly qualified lawyer. He is certain that the abusive comment was directed at him. I would take his word on this.
On reflection, the British and Irish Lions coaching staff will be pleased with the outcome of this disgusting incident.
They lose Hartley and bring into the Lions squad Rory Best, a hooker who should always have been in the team and who is likely to be in the Test side, in my opinion.
Aside from getting a better hooker, the Lions get a player who will fit into the team’s strategy of establishing a rapport with referees in the hope/expectation of gaining kickable penalties.
It’s been pointed out by some experts that the real reason why Sam Warburton has been made captain of the Lions is because he has a terrific record of establishing a comfortable rapport with referees.
So although it is hard on Hartley to be booted out of the Lions squad (but thoroughly deserved), it is a win for the team. The Lions get a better player and someone who is not going to create unpleasant situations on the field to his team and the referees.
Wazbo
Guest
I remember one Zinzan Brooke, captian of The Auckland side playing Queensland at Ballymore in 95/96 calling ref Barry Leask the exact same thing after Barry awarded another penalty during a match where Queensland put on a cricket score against Auckland. Barry looked pretty cross and marched Zinny another ten but no card, no suspension not even disciplinary action from memory.
Andrew C (waikato)
Guest
Well, two refs who really hack me off are Wayne Barnes & Steve Walsh for their decision making at times (or in Barnes's case in RWC semi in 2007 - when he couldn't see even one penalty against the Frogs in the second half, a distinct BLINDNESS ). Twits the both of them. :)
Jerry
Guest
Yeah, it's a tall tale you hear attributed to various rugby & league. I'm sure it's never actually happened.
mugsy in japan
Guest
It all depends where and when. I can tell my boss or client to F off due to relationship status and there`s no drama, but I can punch neither of them in any situation. I possibly could on the field with only a few weeks penalty. In the real world that is possibly gaol time It`s all about circumstances and perception and maintaining perceived authority. I believe this was probably the correct decision as perciptionof authority is extremely important on the field. These men are physically weaker in general and are trying to control 30+ physical monsters. Order needs to be kept, otherwise we have anarchy.
GWS
Guest
Sure. ..
Chivas
Guest
And the above comment was a joke RK.... I had to :-).
Chivas
Guest
I'm guessing you never tried it.... Pretty sure you'd find you got a similar outcome :-). We got marched 50 m one day for the captain trying to get clarity on a decision. It was funny, although I could only smile else I would have copped a backhand since I had earlier expressed a different opinion to my captain and our defence on our line. Point is refs lose the plot too and occasionally captains. I'd probably talk back to the ref than some of the captains I've played under.
Chivas
Guest
I know, they still give you the shts sometimes and I don't know anyone who hasn't been pinged for backchat. I got binned for a minor indiscretion and when I got back the ref is giving me lip about attitude in a condescending manner. So I suggested he talk to the captain as it wouldn't be appropriate to respond and walked off and received a further serve. I haven't sworn at one though.... that's a bridge too far and I'd be more worried about the team and captains response to me more than the ref. Maybe that is what Hartley thought. Game was done. Pretty full on outcome though.
Chivas
Guest
I take it you aren't a lawyer.
Chivas
Guest
With great difficulty I imagine :-). Point was really about general censorship... Some get away with it and some don't, it's rather discretionary. Whether it be a coach, a player, a commentator, a fan... Some might argue Hartley was right to say what he said and the ref is to blame. We see similar comments made here about players and coaches or coaches and refs. Players can comment off field, but the hammer comes down if said on field. Stepping back a bit it just seems odd, that we frame who can say what and where it can be said... Yet the intent isn't different but the punishment varies depending. Anyway just an observation which went over RK's head. Hope the keeper caught it :-)
Well Ruck me.
Guest
Lawyers/liars.
Well Ruck me.
Guest
Rugby is not a game for the upper classes anywhere but Australia and even there its exagerated.
Jerry
Guest
If Hartley were smarter he'd have pulled out the old line - "Hey ref, what would happen if I called you a f-----g cheat?" "Well, I'd send you off". "Well, what if I just though it?" "I couldn't do anything about that" "Ok then, guess what I'm thinking?".
AdamS
Roar Guru
SXV has been full of mouthy players all year. Yet to see a march. Day was only the captain spoke to the ref and he called him sir...
AJ
Guest
This is a win for rugby union. They have got this part of the game right, although I wouldn't mind a few more 10 metre marches for back chat and whinging from the captain in the wrong. He has to come up for the almost obigitory whinge, as if to try and get the next one to go his way. The ref never changes his mind. Its still miles ahead of NRL. I cringe when I hear league refs refer to players by their nicknames....no wonder they get no respect. From the earliest in Rugby you call the ref 'Sir' and he calls you by your number.
Well Ruck me.
Guest
I dont think its even worth a week. Yellow card yes, red for a repeat offence, straight red and suspension for aggressive or threatening language. To say "f-ing cheat" and not even be 100% sure it is you and get 11-12 eeeks is a joke. Nobody was hurt, nobody was threatened, all it was was a four letter word followed by an accusation in the heat of the moment. Big deal. Yellow card tops.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
Great in-depth analysis of Hartley and Best, Spiro...
Riccardo
Guest
Like a deer in the headlights Kane...
AdamS
Roar Guru
There are rules. Libel, defamation and slander laws apply to everyone on and off the field. If the CEO of a company publicly listed a raft of largely baseless perceived deficiencies of a job applicant as a reason for not hiring him, including the fact that he causes other employees to perform badly, he would almost certainly have to be prepared to defend those statements in court.
Shop
Guest
Yes, since when have lawyers been the moral standard?