"I've never met Phillip but when I heard about it I cried": Cheika

You have said it all better than I could,FirstXV.I did not respond when I saw the comments from SS on Saturday as I was a bit angry and knew I would probably say something nasty,but your comment that it is sad that he does not feel like most of us do is more apt. I think as a parent too,you feel such sympathy for what his family must be going through.After watching him grow up playing the game he loved and reaching the highest level,only to be cut down in his prime by a total accident.I certainly cried and was also very moved with the Twickenham crowd.Not so much the rugby that followed,though!

Your comment was about knowing the person. There is no perspective in that. Now you are referring to their lifes achievements and their 'familiarity' with others. Obviously you don't play sport because Phil Hughes died doing exactly what millions of people do every day- they play sport. People identifywith that. Each of us know that could be us, our friends, son, father etc that could have gone out one day to do what they love and simply not come back. It is that commonality and familiarity with our own mortality that everyone identifies with here. Just sad that didn't give that part to you when they were handing them out... 'perspective'...please.

Berrick Barnes was scouted by Queensland Cricket as a wicketkeeper. I would like to see the Wallabies play the lads in a T20 game like the Boks and the Proteas did.

Sorry, meant.... "I assume Silver Sovereign is 'NOT' a parent, as I am sure his view will change"

Mate, I've just played cricket with my son today. Watching him with a smile on his face, enjoying the game. Proud as but could not get Phil Hughes out of my mind.

Yep Bakkies Kasper was an Aussie Schoolboys Rugby player ( 2nd row ) and his brother Simon was a good player. Apparently Matty Hayden was a good rugby player at Marist Ashgrove, same year as John Eales. I saw the Aussie Cricketers in the crowd at Suncorp for the French game. There appears to be a mutual respect and support of each team.

I say the connection goes back to the Steve Waugh and John Buchanan days where you see footage of them watching the Wallabies. Buchanan is a Rugby man blokes like Symonds, Kasprowicz are big fans of the game. Clarke and Warner went to a test this year. Ashes Tours coincide with Lions Tours to Australia and you would expect them to urge each other on. I watched a T20 domestic match last year and Marcus North was interviewed and he made a few passionate comments in support of the Wallabies.

Silver it's more how he died and it was in front of his closest Cricket mates.

All human life is of value. To suggest otherwise is absurd.

Yes rugby tragic me and my dad both march every anzac day wearing both of our respective medals.

Will all respect to Phil Hughes, you cant compare those people with him. They certainly contributed more than a fringe cricket player. A little perspective please

Really? So do you think JFK, Mandela, Priness Di etc actually knew all those people?

Joe, one doesn't need to be an Australian mate.

ben, its natural I think, particularly as a parent. Every ANZAC day we attend parades, I remember attending the dawn service at the Domain in Auckland, every seems so raw as we remember them. It probably is also influenced by the fact that our son is in the military and been in a theatres of conflict. I assume Silver Sovereign is a parent, as I am sure his view will change.

Well written Chivas. I'm a bit of a sook when it comes to tragic events such as that which resulted in the passing of Phil Hughes. I cannot begin to understand the despair and sadness that the Hughes family and closest friends must be going through at this moment, or for that matter young Sean Abbott and his family. My thoughts are with those closest and dearest to them.

ben, do you know Eric Bogle's song "No Man's Land"? It sounds like you would appreciate it.

Silver, maybe you've never seen this so I've copied it in here: No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend’s or of thine own were. Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. John Donne in about 1624 but still relevant

Many people who have suffered loss feel it keenly when they see tragedy. They can often empathise with the frustration, desperation and utter hopelessness of the situation when a boy, son, friend is ripped away a few days before his 26th birthday. So tears for people you don't know doesn't surprise me. What does surprise me sometimes is the understanding and empathy people have for Phillip, but fail to show or demonstrate for so many others who also suffer tragic loss. I knew something tragic had happened, but I refused to watch the news or read anything until yesterday, because I knew it would be dreadfully sad. Putting it off doesn't make it better. My heart truly goes out to everyone and especially his family, friends and those that knew him personally. For me he was an inspiration, a guy who no matter how many times got knocked back stood back up and held himself proudly. I try to teach these values to my daughter. May he rest in peace and may those close to him also find some.

Mate i visited some nz soldiers wargraves....i didnt know any of them but when you read "aged 18" etc it was very moving being surrounded by so many of them and bought me to tears.

How can you not feel sadness for someone that basically symbolises everything it is to be a decent young Aussie...I've teared it up every time I've thought about it and I'm happy to admit that. People are not meant to die playing cricket!