Most people think that survival of the fittest is the triumph of brute force. It’s not. The survivors are those fittest to survive in changing environments.
Rugby union’s Nick Cummins’ nick-namesake, the thick-skinned honey badger, thrives in the most hostile of environments and conquers all comers, from cobras to lions.
Weighing about 10kg, standing a foot high and a couple long, honey badgers know their environment and work strategically. Their hunting and defence techniques are faultless. At first glance an unlikely survivor, what the honey badger lacks in brawn it makes up in brains.
Last Friday, James Graham showed how poorly adapted he is to the changing expectations of professional league players. He explained his own, and others’, bad behaviour by saying, “It’s probably not great behaviour from us in terms of crowd and referee, but when it’s at the top level and there’s so much energy and time invested in trying to get to the win and it comes down to that last 90 seconds, it’s hard.”
Other “last 90 seconds” disappointments have been handled very differently. The 2003 Rugby World Cup when, with 20 seconds’ extra time left, England’s Johnny Wilkinson kicked the winning drop goal to beat Australia. The 2013 Rugby League World Cup semi-final when, with 20 seconds left, New Zealand’s Shaun Johnson scored a try and killed England’s tournament hopes.
Despite their investment of energy and time, those top-level players didn’t struggle to behave professionally. If Graham doesn’t have the smarts to handle disappointment, he’s not as top level as he thinks.
The jury’s out on whether Des Hasler will or won’t need to take up Jaycar’s Gary Johnston on his strong-arm encouragement to let loose at the post-game press conference, safe in the knowledge that the $10,000 fine would be paid.
Referees are there to make the best decision they can based on the information they have. That doesn’t mean it will always be right or popular. Between Hasler and Graham, it’s perfectly clear what they think of Sutton’s decisions on the day and the general quality of NRL refereeing. If Johnston thinks it’s worth paying $10,000 to spray it across TV, more fool him.
Yes, the damage is done, but not the damage Graham, Hasler and Johnston hoped for. Reading people’s online comments and tweets shows how much they despise last Friday’s boorish, bullyboy attacks on referees and deliberate erosion of the integrity of the code.
They hate that these self-centred buffoons think they can mould league in their own selfish image. They see them for what they are – bad for the code, bad for the fans.
As long as Hasler, Johnston and others like them are allowed to pay their way out of bad behaviour, the rot will continue. Financial penalties don’t hit where it hurts; the NRL’s so awash with money that it’s lost any meaning.
Johnston has achieved the dubious distinction of being the first sponsor to deliberately damage the NRL’s reputation. It’s not an association the Bulldogs need, nor is it good for other sponsors. The best advertisement for Raelene Castle’s commitment to cultural change at the Bulldogs would be to terminate the Jaycar contract. Plenty of sponsors would be willing to step in to the gap because that’s the sort of brand integrity they want to be part of.
The days of the world being ruled by brute strength are over. That doesn’t mean we’ve levitated through the peace portal into a yogic utopia, it’s just that, more than ever, survival depends on intelligent responses to a rapidly changing world.
By next Friday, Raelene Castle will have given a crystal clear message to the bullies, the boofheads and anyone who thinks they can strong-arm her, the club and the code.
She’ll tell ‘em they’re dreamin’ if they think they’ll survive the season.
rookie ld
Guest
Im just waiting for someone to make fhe comment "following the games rules is good enough for me" implying theres no place for sportsmanship anymore. Btw is brad hardman haddin a canterbury supporter ?
Objective
Guest
did you actually go to school ??
Brad. H
Guest
Damn straight Kingcowboy , the other guys who play with pointy balls dont seem to have this problem because if the players even raise their voice they're marched for ten . Just look at some of Nigel Owens' or Wayne Barnes' videos on youtube
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Good piece Kath and glad you shed some light on Jaycars Gary Johnston in this saga. I can't ever remember a major sponsor getting involved and encouraging his coach to have a spray. Raelene Castle and the Board would not have been impressed at all. The Bulldogs don't have anyone to blame but themselves. The team was at full strength playing an under strength and banged up Rabbitohs team. They dominated the game and had ample chances to put them away. Sutton made the right call and the carnage started on the Bulldogs side of things. Gary Johnston getting involved was disgraceful and totally unnecessary. I will be surprised if Graham retains the Captaincy when he returns. They need to change leaders and let Graham be a player without the responsibility of Captaincy, he doesn't have the temperament for it.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Yes I am, thank you. Conversely, you leave no doubt that you are not. Now go away.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
I think you just proved my point there Johnno.
Kaks
Roar Guru
"Usually it’s 5-6 players actually pushing the ref" Comeone Squidward, dont tell porkies. The ref can not be touched and if he is then a player is sent off straight away as was proven recently when Angel Di Maria of Manchester United touched a referee.
chook
Guest
You go for Canterbury!! I would never have guessed
chook
Guest
They Don't call them dogs for nothing
Johnno
Guest
Epiqun Of course I want refs to be as unbiased as possible. And I don't want bullying, but i disagree that fans will leave the game in droves if refs are bullied. And some fans like a biased ref, if it helps there team. You never in super rugby hear, the south african sides complaining about home town decisions in matches in south africa that involve the aussie/NZ super rugby sides. In fact you hear loud cheers a the biasness, and gowns from over the Indian Ocean. But that's the point fans don't really care about ref's feelings, just that there team wins, and many fans want the rub of the green and a biased ref. I know for a fact I was cheering for the wallabies vs the Boks in the 2011 World cup, and was cheering all the dud decisions the Boks were getting,yet if i was a book fan I'd be fuming, as they were on social media. Bryce Lawrence didn't ref much after that certainly not in South Africa, as there were safety concerns for him. As an aussie fan I used to fume at the dud calls, we'd get thanks to biased Pakistani umpires whenever we toured there, other teams did as well. Mike Gatting the England captain back in the 80's, threatened to call off the tour, such was the biased decisions. LBW'S galore, against the visiting team.
Mustapha Darwich
Guest
All I'll say is bravo NRL bravo Kath bravo Todd Greenberg for your continued double standards.Good publicity or bad you are talking about rugby league & more importantly my beloved bulldogs who are more real life than the days of our lives so welcome to the trigger that has given the NRL much needed air time.
Mustapha Darwich
Guest
All I'll say is bravo NRL bravo Kath bravo Todd Greenberg for your continued double standards.Good publicity or bad you are taking about rugby league & more importantly my beloved bulldogs who are more real life than the days of our lives so welcome to the trigger that has given the NRL much needed air time.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
I don't have any problem with a heated exchange between a captain and a match official. But the player addressing the ref MUST remain respectful. That means no abusive language, no questioning the ref's integrity and, of course, no touching or threatening the ref.
Joey Johns
Roar Guru
He didn't technically call the right penalty, he should have pinged McCaw for failing to join behind last feet. Then again there's no real sympathy for a player who is explicitly told "LEAVE IT SEVEN" - and then continues to play the ball at the breakdown after an opposition player flips him with two feet in the air
Perry Bridge
Guest
It is interesting seeing the 'fall out' from this issue. As an AFL follower there's been lamentation over the years for what was regarded as an over the top limitation upon on field interaction with the umps as well as post game comments from coaches. The argument 'for' these limitations is well embodied in what occured in the NRL on Friday evening. However - as with the little 'to do' between Watson and Riaz in the WC cricket - a little bit of 'fire' does add to the spectacle. The challenge at any time is to allow some greater degree of 'expression' than might be permitted to a robotic device just going through the motions. So - the NRL could use this in a knee jerk way to move down a certain path - and it would be well justified. But achieving the right balance is something 'we' the fans of whatever sport demand.
Johnno
Guest
peeko, you leave out the convieneant point in the context, they were highly relevant, and used an enforcer intimitdation role in rugby league. So most tackles the attacker would be wary of the shoulder charge, so it had more than a 3% impact on the game. Players wouldn't run down certain players defensive channel, thus having to compromise there attack,and when a shoulder came off it would lift a team, or the other player would be injured and it would lift the other team.
Kingcowboy
Guest
You are a smart man MIck but you forgot to mention how well Rugby sorted out the Kurtley Beale saga. Could have summed it up much better than all that other dribble.
Kirk
Guest
what's a flog? stick to your chase and fumble the ball along the ground game
Albo
Guest
Wrong mob , Casper !! Jaycar Electronics sponsor the Bulldogs. Jayco Caravans are major sponsors of the Orica Greenedge Cycling team !
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Thank you for responding Kath.
A year or so ago a Springbok gave Sir Richie a gratuitous touch up outside the Laws of the Game and contrary to the spirit of the game. Before the crowd had cleared the ground, coach Heyneke Meyer and their impressive captain, Jean de Villiers, had each independently condemned his action and apologised. Soon after the offender ceased being selected. They didn't see the need to spend a half day with Freehill Hollingdale and Page pondering human rights, employment laws, natural justice and compassion for their fellow man. Their eyes had gathered all the information and evidence as it happened and they acted decisively and ever so effectively. It does help when a team sets a standard well before - the All Blacks, for example, gradually built a mantra that "Good men make good All Blacks" during a decade under Sir Graham Henry and the result is self evident. These examples show what is possible. The classic NRL Club corporate inspired route is to announce "We are examining the evidence just like Jack McCoy in Law & Order - know what I'm sayin'?" fleshed out to fill an A4 sized press release; and to wait until the "passion" subsides whilst hoping fuel prices will spike alarmingly during the next few weeks. On "contracts and rules" all they need do is add words to the effect "The NRL/Club/employer can in its sole discretion (do this or that)" here and there. Their consultant solicitors can do that readily without offending any legislation. If the pretty young things won't sign then they can try their hand as a civil construction labourer, where the fashionable blurt at the referee "Ya can't tell me what to do, you're not me effin father effin², effin² " shtick might get them to lunch time and a "Leave, just leave" without even the bus fare home, let alone compensation for hurt feelings. Our foremen are keenly aware of the behaviours which are inimical to profitability, and how to protect our legal position - minimal education foremen! Corporate life and sound decision making is not that difficult if one knows what they are doing. I agree. These blokes treat the dollars like applause and don't appreciate how hard come by they are for the common man until they rejoin normal life, the clubs routinely suspend the fine for a probationary period, receive it in a tax effective manner or forget to send the invoice. Over a decade or several I have noticed how effective simple solutions can be. All the way back to referee Dr Roger Vanderfield rugby union has seen their officials, when necessary, turn silently on their heel, run 10 metres and raise their arm for a penalty against the vocal dissenter. Sometimes they do it twice. There is no right of appeal. It is an immediate, overt, very public and expensive sanction. Suddenly the result of the game is put at risk and this rather focuses the mind. Only captains approach referees, not mere players, and they have no special right to be heard if the referee is satisfied they have nothing cogent to say. Everyone is referred to by their number, not their name. In 2013 Wayne Barnes sent Northampton captain Dylan Hartley from the field for calling him a cheat. It cost his club its first premiership, Hartley a place on a Lions tour and Barnes nothing - he remained well respected and in control, which is his job. I watched as even Prince George Gregan (c) was given some for his corner when André Watson had heard enough of his continual bleating ... "Yes George, I heard that, be quiet." I venture André would be stood down in League for being so disrespectful to a Gallen or Our Toddy Bird. League coaches instruct their players, in some sort of chaos theory practice, to yap all day and confuse the referee to gain potential advantage. I find it quite curious that the League demolition team is comprised of personnel whose only prospect of employment and stupendous riches is the game itself.