There is simply no condoning the carry-on a Wallabies jersey-clad man dished out to the Australian players after Saturday night’s loss to Argentina.
None.
It was one thing that he was allowed to get as close to the players as he did and rip into them for as long as he did in the first place – just as it was one thing for several players to stand there and let him have his say.
But for him to then get into an area occupied by the players’ families and not just continue his rant, but to escalate it in terms of the language used and the ferocity with which it was delivered, was quite another thing altogether.
And that it took an actual coming together with Lukhan Tui before stadium security arrived on the scene is a shocking look.
For his part, Tui has taken his involvement so personally that he feels he needs some time away from the game.
Given the family circumstances he brought into the game, and that his younger sister was caught in the middle of it, his decision to take some time out is not difficult to understand.
For their part, Rugby Australia concluded on Monday evening that the matter itself and security measures at venues would be reviewed, but CEO Raelene Castle was quoted as being comfortable the occurrence was “an isolated incident and we haven’t experienced anything like this in our game in the past, so we don’t want to race into any hasty measures”.
The man himself told Fairfax Media on Monday that he was “shell-shocked” and “distraught” about the incident on reflection, and that he had no idea Tui’s family was in the vicinity or that he’d lost his stepfather only a few days beforehand.
It’s fair to say he won’t do it again, and there probably isn’t much else Rugby Australia can say or do. The review will ensure security is more aware of potential flashpoints, but may not change anything in terms of their procedures.
Whether Tui plays again in 2018 is probably entirely up to him now. He’ll play when he’s ready, and that will pretty much be that.
(AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Hugh Cavill wrote a great piece on this topic over at Green and Gold Rugby, and despite fearing “the comments section is now likely to get stuck into me with both barrels”, the reaction has been solid agreement and introspection.
The incident itself has given Wallabies fans cause to think about their own reactions and overreactions to what happens on the field, and that’s something that should be applauded.
If that means that discussions become more respectful and more thoughtful, and less confrontational and conspiratorial, then from the fans’ side of things, maybe this weekend will have been worth the heartache.
But despite all this, and everything that was said to and about the Wallabies in the aftermath of the 23-19 loss – both in person and from the safety of rugby forums and social media – one thing is crystal clear.
The Wallabies now really, really know what the fans think.
And this is important. So often after a loss, we’ll hear a player or a coach say something along the lines of “we know the fans are frustrated” and it sounds like the right thing to say, but it’s also just a tad difficult to fully believe when we’re also told fairly regularly that “we just can’t worry about what’s being said on social media”.
Now, it’s different. The guy on the Gold Coast has crossed way too many lines, of that there can be no doubt, but his message to the team is loud and clear and we know the team have heard it.
The players will be frustrated and disappointed at their performance on Saturday night, and so they should be. It wasn’t good enough at any level, never mind the highest level in the game.
I still can’t really recall a game with more dropped ball, and a glance down the stats sheet show that only Matt Toomua and Allan Ala’alatoa from the starting XV – who were both replaced with around half an hour to go – didn’t concede at least one turnover for the game.
Missing every fourth tackle didn’t help, but then Argentina’s tackle completion was no better. Equally, and though limitations in his game make that left-to-right pass instinctively difficult, the blame cannot lie solely with Israel Folau for ignoring Bernard Foley in the last moment of the match.
Photo by Matt King/Getty Images
Sadly, the Wallabies have always had this kind of performance in them, though maybe not quite as bad as what we saw on the Gold Coast. We’ve lamented exactly this kind of performance, and this kind if desertion of basic skills for as long as The Roar has been around.
“Why, Wycliff Palu, didn’t you draw and pass to an unmarked Adam Ashley-Cooper when instead you half-dummied and lost the ball?” I wrote back in September 2008.
“Why, Matt Giteau, did you not just pass normally on the inside to a looming Lote Tuqiri, rather than that ordinary attempted impersonation of the Harlem Globetrotters over your shoulder?”
Saturday night, unfortunately, wasn’t a one-off occurrence in terms of what happened on the field, but hopefully the sideline sideshow won’t be repeated.
The Wallabies will be hurting, but if that hurt fuels new levels of passion and pride in their performances, then that will be a great discovery of motivation from an unfortunate event.
A quick sidenote
Why the random example from ten years ago? Well, that comes from my first ever column published on The Roar, way back on Wednesday, September 17, 2008.
From that first published piece has followed 956 more, a passion hobby unearthed that eventually became a career change and an entirely different life, and for that, Roarers, you have my sincerest thanks and appreciation for the comments, support, and interactions along the way.
I literally wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing today without you.
EGC
Guest
The fact that you put a "BUT" in there actually does, even in a small way, condone the reaction of the fan and what he did. He crossed the line and regardless of how he felt he had no right to do what he did. There is no "understanding" required of what he did and said. None at all. He crossed the line and we should stop pandering to that sort of filthy thuggery. If you want to have a whinge about the game....this is the forum. (BTW that idiot should be banned from all rugby attendances for life - no arguments and no BUTs)
Wal
Roar Guru
The players deserve criticism and it will be both internal and external. What they don't deserve is abuse, It's not that hard to tell the 2 apart.
Wal
Roar Guru
Brett, A quick check showed I have been reading your articles since 2011, and can I say it has been a huge pleasure to see you express your love for Rugby and then be lucky enough to turn that passion into Job. Well done and looking forward to the next 10 years
Zakaia Cvitanovich
Roar Pro
I’m not so sure that’s the only reason. I think wanting to play with a team like the Crusaders must be a big pull in itself.
Zakaia Cvitanovich
Roar Pro
NZ coaches are kind of caught between a rock and a hard place. There’s an expectation for a coach to ply his trade overseas before becoming an ABs coach, so if they’re with a tier one nation, they’re gonna face the ABs at some point. Joe Schmidt springs to mind. (I still smile at the thought of his mum calling him up after the Chicago game to tell him off!)
Zakaia Cvitanovich
Roar Pro
Well said machpants.
Robbie
Guest
The guy was way out of line.... I think about other codes...water bottles being thrown at players and refs, players being spat at and racially taunted .... That's not our game....and remember its a game of footy...
taylorman
Roar Guru
True, though Englands supposed depth seems to be desserting them at the moment
The Joy Of X
Roar Rookie
You said above "Look at the numbers playing rugby in Oz, 85,000". How did you ascertain this number? How many adult males are playing competition 15's; and 7's (minimum 6 weeks for both)? How many junior males are playing competition (Club or school, minimum, 6 weeks) 15's; and 7's? You stated "....good ones (Union junior players) are playing both league and union (in the same week....)" -approximately what percentage? If your 85,000 figure is correct for male contact Union players, this probably dooms Union to being permanently uncompetitive against the much bigger Union nations. How likely could a mutually agreed amalgamation eventuate between Union and League in about 10-20 years (ie Australia plays only Union internationally; and only League played in an elite national home and away competition in Australia)?
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
That definitely has summed up the state of Rugby in this country. Coaches have not been taught "how to coach". Players are not being taught skills, as they should be - basic skills not the team skills. And there seems to be a total lack of scouting of young players and even worse, no one knowing what to do with them when they find them. Example, young player in the GPS Brisbane Final on Saturday, cannot remember form which team, Nudgee or TSS, but apparently he is not going to the Crusaders Academy. Now he is of Kiwi heritage but did the SR Franchises try, did RA try, is there anything in Aus to match this? And there were a number of outstanding players in that final (from what I have read), good, instinctive and all of Kiwi or Islander heritage. Simple statement w..t..f is the rugby administration in this country doing - Club, SR, State, RA?
JSJ
Roar Rookie
Sheek, We need Brett to write a balanced piece about Twiggy Forrest and World Series Rugby and what he can do for Australian rugby, to balance the silly piece that Geoff wrote recently about not letting the fox into the hen house etc. What Twiggy has done in a year in WA is amazing. - part of his Force players contract is they have to put 300 hours a year into community rugby. Playing club rugby and coaching kids etc. - an amazing advertising and publicity campaign. TV, radio, newspapers, train stations buses, social media etc. WSR got the attention of sports fans out side of the traditional old rusted on rugby fans - RugbyRoo coaches and Force players visiting schools and running introduction to rugby clinics. Giving them tickets to come to Force games and enjoy all the hype etc. The kids love it. - plus more and more. I dont believe Twiggy in this to make money like Packer was with cricket. Twiggy has enough money already and big business interests already. He is passionate about rugby and the Wallabies. If WSR are allowed to start a team in Western Sydney, people in Sydney will be amazed at the whole campaign that WSR roll out to pump up the tyres of rugby in Australia.
Garry
Guest
EJ? Is that you Eddie Jones?
taylorman
Roar Guru
Perhaps but theres definite some reluctance there with ex AB coaches. Henry went as an 'advisor' and said he wouldnt sit in on AB tests. Wayne Smith has made it well known hes against it but its an individual thing. John Mitchell will sell his soul to the devil as Eddie Jones did. Short story is its a pro world but of most countries there's more likely to be more reluctance from NZ coaches these days....but in the end...a jobs a job.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Absolutely, something Ive been trying to say for ages. Its created a disconnect between the fans a d the side where they expect to much from so little. The Tui fan was, albeit a poor, example. Many want the glory of the old days and think the latest sides arent up there where they should be, whete actually theyre treading about right given the make up of their sides.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Regardless, theyre not coming through and havent been since at least 2010. Not one. Whether its other sports, the coaching standards or even Cheikas Wallaby setup, the system is not bringing players through to the top of the game. I think fans and certainly the media are expecting too much of a rotten system. Either the right type of player is not taking up the game or the system is so poor its weeding them out or stifling their abilities, or both.
taylorman
Roar Guru
I think youre only just confirming my point geoff, If the only oz player since 2010 that has had genuine promise as a potential world xv player is Tupou, who up until 18 was a product of Sacred Heart College in Auckland then it doesnt say much for the oz system bringing them through.
A
Guest
Brett Congratulations on the ten years and your thought-out, balanced, informative (ie the NRC updates) and entertaining articles. As a long time reader (I reckon I've been coming to the Roar since about 2008..!) I think I have made 2 comments in this time but I wanted to say cheers for being my go-to Aussie rugby column each week. In particular, I wanted to thank you for your coverage and balance in the demise of the Force last year and the ramifications it's had this year. As a long suffering Force fan, and someone who has travelled interstate (Lions, June internationals) and overseas (RWCs) to follow the Wallabies, the ARUs handling of the Force saga, combined with the Wallabies coaching and selection debacles of recent years (and last weekend!) means that my travelling/following support - and therefore revenue to the ARU - will be limited until there is wholesale change at the ARU. I know I speak for a number of my friends who have similar views (and aren't Force supporters). Perhaps there's an article in this, but I digress... Cheers again and hope there's another ten (and more!) years of great journalism ahead of you.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Machpants wins Quote of the Day contest for the whole week with his "Lack-of-Attack Larkham" moniker. Love it! LoL
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Happy 10th anniversary Brett, may there be a further 956 articles in the next decade, preferably on the resurgence of the mighty WallyBees. :)
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
I salute you and your ten years at the Roar, Brett. Well done. Looking forward to another ten years hopefully.