How could anyone even contemplate branding the likes of Sam Burgess, Jarryd Hayne or Israel Folau, as ‘losers’ or ‘quitters’ after the enormous gambles they took to expand their fabulous sporting careers?
There was a large family function at my place last Sunday and around the barbecue the conversation struck up about Burgess and his ‘failed’ attempt at rugby union.
The guy with the BBQ tongs – me – went straight onto the offensive and sprayed anyone who came within earshot (and tong-shot!) about Burgess and others who dared switch codes and ply their trades outside the square.
The anti-Burgess reaction has staggered and even angered me.
This guy left rugby league as a premiership winner with Souths. Furthermore, he departed as the best grand final winner one can be, with the Clive Churchill Medal dangling around his neck, along with a hangover that accompanied South Sydney’s drought-breaking win.
He, of course, went off to play rugby union with Bath with the ultimate goal of being selected to play for England at the Rugby World Cup.
He pretty much ticked all of those boxes. He made his mark in the prelims, got picked for the Poms ahead of many other contenders, and played – of all positions – centre in the code’s showcase event.
He did not pick or choose where he played, the England selectors did that, and he played okay. But some glaring errors were seized upon by drooling critics.
Why didn’t those critics mention the fact he played his early rugby games for Bath at No. 6? Why would they choose him to play in the No. 12 jumper?
Was Burgess the reason for the host nation’s downfall? Nup. But he was the easiest scapegoat available when the team crashed and burned – miserably. And didn’t they burn him at the stake. Disgraceful.
Burgess ended up an out-and-out winner, and hats off to him. He made the Poms’ World Cup team. Wrong position, mind you, but I’m not one of their dumbbell, no-idea selectors.
(Have a look at Burgess’ column in The Daily Mail, it is a worthwhile read.)
Then there have been the naysayers pretty much salivating over Hayne’s on-off relationship with the San Francisco 49ers.
He defied phenomenal odds to make their initial roster, and has done some very good things in his limited on-field time.
He’s another big winner. If it doesn’t work out in the long run for Hayne, so be it. He backed himself, followed his lifelong dream, and has seen that dream materialise in the light of day.
Box. Tick.
Izzy Folau? Few elite sportsmen or women, anywhere in the world, have left their comfort zones like Folau, who was at the top of the rugby league tree when he switched to AFL. He had to learn a batch of unfamiliar rules, change his body shape, and fit in with a squad of complete strangers. No mean feat.
He played AFL footy, and kicked a goal or two for the Greater Western Sydney Giants in the code’s elite comp against its megastars. Folau proved nothing remarkable in a completely alien code, but he realised his ambition.
Folau then channelled his vast array of skills into rugby union and for those out there super-quick to criticise his contribution to the Wallabies’ cause in the Rugby World Cup, I strongly suggest you do some homework on his injury.
Mere mortals would not even contemplate playing hobbled as he was.
The fullback played hurt. Seriously hurt. And I reckon he’ll be hurting for many, many weeks to come.
Jethro
Guest
They beat NZ at RL with their own ref - what a farce...
Jethro
Guest
They played both usually - RL took RU players for 100 years if you look at it that way - Wally never played RU - it wasn't professional and he was a RL man but how many RU players have gone to RL since it went professional. These guys also played cricket, golf, swam, tennis, chess soccer basketball - not everything is based around the RL world inside Sydney heads - watch out here comes Vichy...
Jethro
Guest
WE will say it again - the home Union was host and needed some quick support for an inexperienced team - Burgess didn't work but it got the north watching the games and gave them some starch - because they failed the world champion sledgers the British press weren't slow to react - Most of the players supported Burgess despite what the media here reported. The media here (I'm looking at the heald) didn't report that Burgess said that Rugby made him a better athlete but that wouldn't have fitted the story...
Birdy
Guest
Rock , Interesting article on the roar today about how to fix English rugby , actually mentions snobbery.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Wally Lewis junior days was steeped in rugby league ,the only reason he need up playing union was due to hid High School not offering rl as a sport. Ditto Ricky Stuart.Dittop Russel Fairfax.Ditto Giteau. And Kurtley beale was grabbed from junior rl for a scholarship atJoeys where he played rl. Even Jonah Lomu,Nonu,Jerry Colins,played rl as juniors.And John Kirwan. Please for heaven's sake some union people need to do a ltitle research.People play more than one sport in their formative years.It's not a crime.
nerval
Guest
It doesn't matter how many times you tell them, peeeko...
peeeko
Roar Guru
he also played RL since he was 5
bman
Guest
you're 100% correct here. Not Sams fault he was set up to fail. There were fights within the coaching staff about his selection in the team... that to me suggests the head coach was not pushed but heavily leaned upon to make sure he had a spot in the squad. As long as he does not beat up my Broncos to much... I'm glad he is back where he belongs.
Michael
Guest
It's an interesting conspiracy. England is known for it's media backclash, I could be wrong but when was the last time they have won anything at an international sporting event? Maybe they set themselves up for failure in the first place so that the media can have a whinge in the highly predictable manner that they lose.
rock
Guest
So you base your comments on replies to an article, have you been reading all the garbage posted form both sides on here lately. I wouldn't be judging a whole group of people on a handful of internet replies, but that's just me.
rock
Guest
Your off your head, you cherry pick two articles but disregard fan comments. Here's an idea, go through the countless articles written even just on this website about code hoppers and you'll see that negativity come from both sides of supporters, it isn't exclusive to one sport. Ah, I didn;t want to get into a spat because I still love watching league but I can'y let your below comment slide. "Since rugby went professional it’s pretty much been all one way traffic with converts going from league to union." This is just a typical throwaway line, it disregards the loads of players that are in the NRL who have been recruited from NZ rugby schools and the first league they play is under 20's, the fact is league seems to be better at recruiting players then union. The other fact is, why would any decent union player go to league where they wouldn't earn near as much as they could in Europe and pay bugger all tax, or go to Japan and earn a mountain as well. It makes no sense for a marquee player to go to league where they wouldn't get the money they can in Europe or Japan. For your 'Pro' status you would think you could be objectivce on both sports, however you seem to be like a whole lot of each codes supporters on here who want to play the 'my game is better then yours'. That's great, go for it, me I'll enjoy both games for what they are and call out garbage comments when they're made.
Michael
Guest
Players are sporting commodity. If the player feels that it's best for them to leave because they are not fit for the sport, they are free to choose that path. The important thing for them is to consider how they look after themselves. If 'Izzy' choose to continue to stick with AFL knowing full well that he wasn't up to par think about what that will mean for both his time and money. Which in the former case, there is only so much time that he can be spent playing sports, after which he reaches a certain age he will forced to retire.
Michael
Guest
Well, it's fair to say that yes maybe the coach did invest time, effort and faith into him. I'm sure he considered that when he decided to leave the club but then again, Sam is his own man and if he believes that moving back to Redfern would benefit him and his family, his free to do so.
Nexx
Guest
Let's be realistic here. The only things Hayne did well in the NFL were the same things he did well in the NRL. He struggled with everything he couldn't bring over from rugby league. I haven't seen great potential from Hayne at all. I've seen an amazing rugby league player who's way sub-NFL when it comes to American football specifics that don't exist in rugby league.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Birdy, I agree the Bath Club Should have shown a lot more class. Just rise above it and wish him well as a professional sportsmen. I'm not saying Sammy didn't cop it from some quarters because he did. Look really happy to have him back at Redfern, however part of me would have love to of seen him stick it out and become successful. Anyway good luck to him.
Birdy
Guest
Rebel how can you ruin my rant with facts? You mean because a RL side can't field 2 experienced props they have to forfeit ? This means we have to put up with this debate for the rest of our lives.? I think I'd rather watch the French 14 'a greatest moments. That goes for a whole 13 seconds . god give me strength!!!!!
Birdy
Guest
Rock. , I read an article by Hugh Mcgahan on the NZ Herald website . One of the replies was from a woman who said burgess had a chance to mix with a better class of people and knocked it back . Hers was one of many similar comments. Must remember to rattle my shackles next time NZ does a haka.
Birdy
Guest
Worlds biggest , re reading your articles you are very consistent with your views and knowledge of events . Sure he may have got a lot of support from ex players etc , but his lack of positional play knowledge at 12 got leaked to the media . Then being advised his team mates didn't want him to address them when leaving , primo donnas . Even you have said many times he needed ore time to pick up the intro cosies of the foreign game. In your short time as a professional sportsman why put up with the rubbish he copped ? Falou was better treated and respected by players of a totally foreign code AFL! To you and rebel I apologise but this is just as I see it . Ps WB , as a souths supporter you should know of the other factors , not released in the media dragging him back to souths . Lots of pressure on him on top of all the pommy press!!!!
madmonk
Guest
that's a hell of a conspiracy theory, recruiting a Northern leaguie who has been playing in Australia to market a world cup at the home of the game. I'm backing the non conspiracy theory that the coach thought he was in their best squad.
Matthew Tomczyk
Roar Pro
Rock, I had in mind when I wrote that two particular articles: one by Fitzy that claimed Jarryd Hayne would already be back home begging for an NRL contract, and when Jake White said that choosing Folau to play for the Wallabies would cheapen the Wallaby jersey. You're welcome to find your own counterexamples, but that might be hard to do. Since rugby went professional it's pretty much been all one way traffic with converts going from league to union.