There appears to be some confusion within rugby league about what it means to be a man. Some seem to think that letting loose a couple of punches is part and parcel of what it means to be a ‘bloke’. Perhaps it is…
Australian men certainly aren’t the first in the world to fall for testosterone-fuelled morality. They won’t be the last either.
What is important to remember, though, is that this phase in a man’s development doesn’t last forever. At least that is usually the case.
Many players tend not to go for the macho aspect of the game anyway, and instead tend to just play the sport well and focus on that.
We sometimes call that maturity, and it is not related to age, though in general we expect older players to show that quality more than the younger ones.
If you endorse fighting in league, what you are actually doing is encouraging people to remain immature.
These days especially, the vast majority of players never get into a fight during a match. Are they somehow less tough, less masculine or manly than their more punch-happy counterparts?
Testosterone is part and parcel of masculinity. However, manhood encompasses more than just that. It also includes the poise and ability to step back and take a more expansive view of things.
Naturally, fights will occur in rugby league. It is a no-brainer that in such an intensely physical sport some people will snap.
Nonetheless, if you feel that these fights somehow need to be ‘protected’ or that your identity is being eroded by their absence, then perhaps you need to ask yourself some more probing questions.
Now, consider what is being said here.
It is not reasonable to assume that there will no longer be any fights given rugby league’s physical toughness. It is a hard sport and tempers naturally fray.
What is being said is that it is reasonable to put a limit on what is accepted, to punish those that transgress those limits (which actually doesn’t occur all that frequently anymore) and to not give their occurrence some kind of moral weight.
Rugby league is not life and death violence. It is a sport. Fights in league have no place other than as a natural error in judgement.
That these errors occur is not wrong, but to treat them as being worthy of some kind of respect is.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Sure, I have no problem with that. Given the nature of the beast, rugby league is going to bite every now and then. When it does bite, simply penalise it and move on. But don't, for the life of me, tell me that grown men (ie, 35 and over) ought to be glorifying what is basically nothing more than the aggressive exuberance of young men. When I listen to some of these so-called wiser heads lamenting the so-called softening up of the game, I cringe. Is the moral standard of these men based on being 21? They remind of those old-style military generals who wear a thousand medals on their chests... My concern is that Australia's social and moral values are far too intertwined with sporting culture, a culture that is dominated by the natural aggression of young men. Remember, I'm not against the odd temper flare. For young men, it's natural. I'm against giving it some kind of moral weight. That might be a bit too involved for a sports site but that is how I feel about it.
warren
Guest
Sleiman - when did you actually start watching RL? If you have been following for 40 years like me then you would understand it is indeed a lot cleaner than it has ever been. This and every article on violence since seems to have been based on what happened in the SOO match. Yes it was not a good look but that happens in a high intensity arena and a body contact sport like RL. All the BS that parents are going to take their kids to soccer and that they will all start follow this sport instead is just that. Soccer has been the highest participation sport in NSW and QLD for as long as I can remember and for as long as I can remember everyone second person would tell you that it is going to take over RL. My view is that as long as there is not outright violence such as all in brawls, eye gouging, biting etc then fans will put up with a little bit of biff. The one's that seem to be complaining about it the most as those who do not really follow the sport anyway.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I guess ultimately, the article is about how and on what basis these issues are considered.
bully
Guest
I dont think that I have heard anybody say that they should legalise fighting in the NRL and what you are describing above by penalising or using the sin bin already happens as well as suspentions so im sory but i guess i just dont get the point of your article.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
What I am saying is one shouldn't turn immaturity into a sporting value, let alone a cultural or social one. As for the rules, just enforce them. But to do that, you need referees with strong characters and personalities as well as a system that doesn't erode their authority. At least, that is how it seems to me.
bully
Guest
soooooo what your saying is leave RL the way it is?
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
That's right. It's silly to think it's not going to occur but I think it is sillier to praise it and give it some kind of moral value. Just penalise it when it does occur and move on. By the way, have you noticed how the aggression in the past that went into on-field fights has now been transferred to higher level performances by the players? That natural aggression is now more or less focused onto actually playing. Thanks for reading.
Steve
Guest
I was expecting to criticize this, but actually it's quite fair-minded: just treat fighting as something that will happen, with a realistic and consistently enforced sin bin penalty when it occurs- works in Ice Hockey.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
If only I knew guvna, if only I knew.
darth vader
Guest
What ru talking about?