- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
I am sitting at Heathrow on my way home pondering the last month. I have been in Great Britain, Ireland and France for all of the Rugby World Cup so far and enjoyed every minute of it – save one aspect.
A number of players have been suspended, carded or cited for foul play that was committed in retaliation to being held back during general play. In other words, in response to cheating – cynical, underhanded and blatant cheating.
Each clip I have seen shows both the cheat and the foul play offender.
Why has no off-field action been taken against the cheat when he has provoked an action which referees would once have turned a blind eye to? Not only that, why is there not some reduction in sentence if a player is provoked into taking action by the cheat?
In law, provocation can be a complete defence. I do not suggest that for rugby, as no-one should be allowed to take the law into his own hands, and the referee cannot see everything.
But a completely human response to being held back should not lead to the provoked player being punished.
The cheat should be punished too.
Perhaps both should suffer the same penalty, that might make these game spoilers stop what they are doing. At the moment a cheat can torment a previously innocent player, have the tormented binned and get away scot-free. That is absurd.
If we are going to stop diving and referee abuse to keep the spirit of the game let’s also punish cynical law breakers.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.