Rugby makes men. Women too these days, and fine women they are, but still overwhelmingly, it makes men.
There is no place to hide in a rugby club. Rugby relentlessly takes the disparate parts and moulds them into a cohesive whole.
The arrogant are taught humility. The loose cannons are brought to heel. The vain have their good looks blunted, and the ugly find a place where they are revered for their courage and not their appearance.
Over time, the sport of rugby works on personalities the same way a glacier works on a rocky outcrop. It grinds the outcrop down and removes the rough edges. In so doing, it reveals the pleasant subtleties in the strata.
In the beginning, such a rocky outcrop was Tom Carter, the Sydney University and Waratahs stalwart who played his 200th grade game and 175th first grade game for University last weekend.
Carter has at times in his career held the title of the ‘least liked player in the Shute Shield’. Certainly he is a member of the ‘least liked’ club, Sydney University, which can’t have helped matters. The dislike at times spilled over into his career at the Waratahs, and the emotional and hot-blooded Carter was low-hanging fruit for the dullard keyboard warriors and internet trolls.
As an example, a minor brain snap against the Reds in 2011, which did not result in, but simply accompanied, an embarrassing Waratahs last-minute loss, made Carter rugby public enemy number 1. Even commentator Greg Martin eagerly laid into Carter, caustically and disgracefully describing him as “a fairly ordinary conveyance for the Waratahs for the last four years”.
YouTube offers up such gleeful titles as “Tom Carter gets bitchslapped” and “Tom Carter versus the Reds – fail”. It is inevitable that when a forum subject turns to Carter, a contributor delightedly recycles a clip of Carter getting walloped by Eastwood’s Gareth Palamo in a Shute Shield final way back in 2006. For some small souls, the ill-feeling has festered for a decade.
As such, few of the critics will initially be saddened by the news that this year’s Shute Shield finals series will be Carter’s last. It’s odd that despite a record that most players would envy – Australian Seven, Australian under 19’s, 76 Super Rugby matches, 95 points in tries for the Waratahs, and 200 games for University – Carter seems destined to be remembered by parts of the rugby public for his apparent disposition rather than his actual, and significant, contribution.
A wise man once said, “If you have minimal ability but hang on for long enough through perseverance and grit, you eventually achieve some things in life.”
And if the naysayers agree with nothing else, they would be forced to agree (perhaps through slightly clenched teeth) that Tom Carter has at the very least been in it for the long haul. 175 first grade games don’t come easily to anyone. Neither do 76 Super Rugby matches.
Few would have considered these numbers. Perhaps they are worth considering. Aside from pure matches played, Carter is 17th on the all-time Waratahs point-scoring table – despite having never kicked a goal.
He holds the record at Sydney University for tries in first grade, scoring a double against Norths last weekend to hit the 90-try record. He is one of the few to play against the British Lions in any capacity, and one of the genuine few to score two tries against them in one match.
It is a career worth noting, although the cynics will counter with terms like ‘one dimensional’ and go on to note the talent which surrounded Carter at University.
Such criticism of Carter’s apparent simplicity as a player doesn’t often seem to make much sense. After all, he didn’t pick himself for the Waratahs 76 times. If someone has to be blamed, at least blame the coach. All the player can do is play the best he can with what he’s got when he gets picked.
Occam’s razor, the law of parsimony, states that among competing hypotheses that predict equally well, the one with the fewest assumptions should be selected. The laypersons form of this law is “the simplest explanation is usually the correct one”.
So when faced with the dilemma of why the Waratahs continued to pick an impulsive, straight-running, hard-tackling centre with moderate pace and a not-very-deceptive step, pick the simple answer. The coach thought he was best for the job.
This is because, inevitably, the coach and the players in the team know more than the man in the stands. Only they see the work that goes on during the week, the plays far off the ball that only get noticed during the video analysis, and the effect of the player on their teammates.
Every team needs workers and Carter has always been a champion grafter. Players with just-adequate pace and footwork don’t score bucketloads of tries unless they are relentless supporters of the ball carrier, persistent pressurers in defence, and untiring kick chasers.
None of those are glamour jobs, so only a few special players make them their stock in trade. It takes ticker and a certain bloody mindedness to continue to chase the one-percenters for 15 years.
As for the casual observers of video clips, they unfortunately only see what they want to see.
In the 2006 Palamo clip, they see Tom Carter trucking the ball into the teeth of a rabid defence and getting completely t-boned. Few of them stop chortling long enough to see Carter get to his feet, take his place in the defensive line and pressure the kicker. As commentator Jim Maxwell said at the time, “He takes some hurting”. Teammates know how tough Carter is and he gives young players confidence in a robust contest.
Of course, none of the criticism is really about Tom Carter the player. Players with supposedly modest talents rarely get pilloried; they just don’t get noticed. Carter certainly had enough talent to be noticed, but it was his volatile temper and willingness to get in the faces of opponents that really riled the haters.
Funnily enough, no one is more aware of the frailties of Tom Carter than, well, Tom Carter. In an erudite and touching open letter to the Sydney University community before his milestone last week, Carter addressed his past coaches:
“I can’t thank you enough for the lessons that you have taught me about life and the game but probably more importantly, I thank you for tolerating my deficiencies – both playing and social skills – and for tolerating the outrageous carry on at times.”
After being replaced late in the match, Carter visited the Norths bench. He shook the hands of all of the Norths players, coaches, strappers and assorted hangers on. He then worked his way back to the University bench and congratulated all of his teammates on the victory.
As he did so, a nearby father of one of the young grade players, a schoolboy in his first year of university, expressed his admiration for everything Carter had done to support and teach his son during his transition to grade football:
“He’s just been amazing. He’s taught these young guys a lot and given them enormous confidence. They really love him, his influence on the club is huge.”
For their part, Carter’s teammates showed their appreciation in their own way. Immediately the match had finished and the Norths players were clapped from the field, players from all grades, some of whom had waited several hours after their own games, surrounded the veteran centre and sang the University song.
It was an appropriate way to thank a player who was more Land Cruiser than Ferrari. Not flashy or brilliant especially, but tenacious, tireless and passionate to a fault. Rugby needs more of them.
As for the occasional niggle and insanity, Steve Jobs said it best, “Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes… the ones who see things differently.”
His teammates will smile and say Jobs might have been talking about Tom Carter.
bennalong
Guest
Peter Hughes, Did you actually read the piece or simply rush to bag the bloke? Don't understand what you think you're contributing. A big raspberry is simply a rude noise.
bennalong
Guest
Thanks Andrew, thanks a lot. This is a wonderful piece. You capture, in telling Tom Carter's rugby story, a core of that which I carry with me. A rugby team is about commitment to your mates and earning their respect. Lots of Waratah supporters, like lots of bloggers on theRoar, did not respect Carter, but he wasn't playing for them. "As for the casual observers of video clips, they unfortunately only see what they want to see." So why would you give a toss for their opinion.
Sharminator
Roar Rookie
Exactly Cooros. You might have someone who plays a couple of Super Rugby games and doesnt make it, but 76 games for the Waratahs over 6 seasons and 200 grade games simply isnt by accident. Some people mightnt like TC, how he plays or his attitude, but obviously a lot coaches thought he was a good player, if they didnt, he wouldnt have played so many games.
Billy Bob
Guest
Tom G and Peter H, of course everyone is entitled to their opinion. That's why I express mine. But if you want to be negative in the extreme about any individual player, knock yourself out. But you may be called on it. And when you are, you may not like it. As your response above seems to indicate.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Aaah... the old 'I've paid me money, I'm now entitled.' Talk about a tired and frankly stupid argument.
Tom G
Guest
So Billy Bob, the only people entitled to have any opinion on playing talents of players are those who have played at the same level or above? Interesting way to expand the interest in the Game. I guess you never voice an opinion on politicians given that you have never been PM! Punters who pay their money and expend their time following any code are not only free to have an opinion they are entitled to without hearing this tired and frankly stupid argument.
Peter Hughes
Guest
Imo the fact that TC played 76 times for the Tahs shows the lack of quality alternatives during his career. TC was a good defender but had no passing game (in fact he rarely passed at all), no kicking game, little spatial awareness and had a 1 dimensional bash & barge game. He consistently cruelled Tah backline flair but considering the dour conservative coaches Tahs mostly had during his career that's what they wanted. It's not mindless to call a player the worst in his position for 50 yrs if you've been watching that long & that's your honest opinion. I can't think of any centre who consistently performed so poorly for the Tahs - hard but fair.
Peter Hughes
Guest
haha Billy Bob is obviously another mate of TC's - what a load of bollocks. You've just attacked the messenger rather than the issue - which is TCs lack of service as a player. What I, or anyone else, did is irrelevant to the career of TC. If you're consistently the biggest weakness in the team your "service" is of very limited value. And so it was with TC as a Tah player. Tahs were always a better team when he wasn't on the field imo. It is not "childish spleen" to objectively critique a players abiility & value - past or present. Coaches, selectors, other players, fans and YOU do it every day - it's a normal part of sport. Yes TC appeared to always give his best but it didn't compensate for his lack of service to Tah team performances. Imo (and probably most others objective observers) he didn't deserve to be on the field cos he wasn't Super Rugby standard. Hard but fair - TC is still a good player for Sydney Uni.
Rob
Guest
Great read! I never really gave Carter much noticed, and laughed at the videos that mocked him, but never joined them. Just thought he was average. I became a huge fan, though, after seeing him in The Code. You could see his passion for playing and his contribution to his team's culture. I even appreciated that the little things people criticised him for - intense celebrations, getting in someone's face, etc. - helped to fire up his team. I then started noticing how well he does the 'little things' that matter so much, as written above. Recognising players like this became important to me in my coaching role. It's almost predictable after every match that the team captains name the opposition's leading try scorer or one of the halfbacks or number 8 as the man of the match. Almost never do the hard workers - who made the moments of glory possible - get recognised. This is a great piece celebrating one of them!
Billy Bob
Guest
So Peter Hughes, out of interest, how many Super 15, and 1st grade games did you play? Maybe you were or are much better than Tom. Let's say you are. It is still vicious in the extreme to point to a man's failings as you have just there, as he ends his career. What are you saying really, Peter? That Carter should've been dropped so you could play? That Carter is a fool for accepting selection? That really his achievements pale into insignificance when compared to his 'talentless' status? Really, what service does your last post serve? Was it to enlighten the fools who think Tom was a genius and should've worn gold? Disagree with those of us, like me, who thought him a limited talent who always gave his best and therefore deserves gratitude. Full stop. Peter haven't you got a bag to punch or a can to kick along the street? Why do we have to witness your venting of frustration upon an obviously devoted servant of rugby? He didn't pick himself, Peter. He just did his best when he was picked. Don't know him. Didn't like his style too much when he was a Tah. But his service and commitment deserves more than the vicious, childish spleen venting that you visited upon a young man whose courageous record of service deserves much better.
Freighter
Guest
Loves the ass pat... Would run miles to pat a front rower on the toosh after a collapsed scrum.
Cameron Treloar
Guest
Good article. I played most of my club career against Tom and hated him on and off the field until 2004. We toured Argentina together with the Tahs and he was my room mate. I had a big night and was going to miss the bus. Tommy woke me up, packed my entire bag and somehow got me on that bus saving me a lot of embarressment in front of senior players and coaches. Thanks Tommy. He is a genuinely good bloke. So now I only hate him on the field where he is a grade-A dickhead. He knows it and embraces it which is why he is one of the great people to play against. He gives it but can take it too, happy to pay a good sledge against him. Tough, runs straight and hard, not much more you can ask for from a 12. I know every club coach would have him if he wasn't so loyal to the students. Congrats on a great career TC. Hope the Rats smash you in the semis.
Alex Wood
Roar Guru
What's the old saying? The best coaches are the guys who have no natural gifts but tried harder than anyone else to become the best.
Alex Wood
Roar Guru
Andrew, a great article on an alternative and interesting topic. I have been enjoying your articles a lot recently, thanks for all the great work!
Tobias
Guest
I enjoyed reading this article & learning that throughout his considerable career Tom Carter had a huge positive impact on his teammates, particularly the juniors. That said I also enjoyed jeering him from the hill at Rat Park along with the other Saturday arvo crowd whenever the students came visiting. IMO the annoying thing about Carter was his body language, he was never cool & understated like say AAC (unfair comparison I know), he would always strut around after scoring or puff his chest into opposition players if there was a bit of niggle. Love him or hate him he scored 2 tries against the British & Irish Lions which I reckon he'd be pretty proud of & he probably won't get all of his ribs broken like Duncan McRae.
Crash Ball2
Guest
Another well written, thought provoking piece Andrew. Thanks.
riddler
Guest
never met the guy.. but full credit to what he has achieved..
timmy o'toole down the well
Guest
hence why he wrote the article. More to the man than meets the eye train!
Patrick Effeney
Editor
I used to train in Sydney Uni gym, and I tell you what... Tom Carter was there a lot! Doing weights, cardio, leading cardio sessions for the whole club (I remember one of the players barely able to move, he pushed him so far), doing speed training. For a player who people say wasn't the fastest, I can tell you he did a lot of speed training to try to make up for it. That, and if you listened to his banter around the gym, he was funny as hell. Seems like a great guy to me.
Matthew Skellett
Guest
That's the other thing -this must be Mr Carter's Penultimate/Testimonial Year in Rugby to warrant Mr Logan writing a 'Boost my fellow local lodge member by whitewashing his failings and sell a half-true story to a incredulous public ' piece . Also; about the 'keyboard warrior' bit Mr Logan -what have you been doing? : "transmitting by Morse Code"? or 'tapping on a rock' ?