There were two send offs last Saturday night when New Zealand played Australia. Both players involved showed tackling skills which the Laws of the Game now frown upon.
I thought it appropriate to congratulate them both on their reactions to being sent off.
Each of Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Lachlan Swinton showed admirable discipline and respect for the game by leaving the field without comment and with good grace.
Clearly, both were disappointed. It must be very difficult to have worked so hard to represent your country and then find your match is over early.
Compare that respect for the game of rugby to the disrespect shown by Australia’s captain Michael Hooper.
As the referee called Hooper and Swinton to him, Hooper said “Don’t square it up. Just because… It’s a completely different…”.
The referee immediately replied by saying “No, it’s not.”
As Swinton, showing the same restraint as Tu’ungafasi, walked dejectedly off the paddock, Hooper was still talking to the referee.
Don’t square it up? What an insult to the referee that is. It implies that the ref
(i) might make a decision of fact which was intentionally wrong
(ii) might not apply the laws of the game fairly
(iii) is about to make a decision that favours the opposition because it favours the opposition and not because it is a fair one
In other words, by insinuation, the integrity of the referee is put in question.
Remember that Hooper has learned his captaincy over the last four years from Michael Cheika, a renowned whiner. I suppose Hooper’s mindset is hardly surprising in light of that.
Then again, compare the attitude of David Rennie, the new Wallaby coach to that of Hooper’s. Not once in any after match press conference has he shown anything other than respect and acceptance of referee decisions.
The core values of rugby are passion, integrity, discipline, respect and teamwork. Hooper shows passion and teamwork in abundance.
He casts aspersions upon the games integrity and, when it comes to referees, on occasion, shows no discipline or respect.
One day he’ll take it too far and get yellow carded. It should have been last Saturday. Perhaps Rennie can teach him something about captaincy. For the sake of the game, I hope so.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@Wally ok I didn't hear Hooper's comments so if he said that it was dumb and insulting to the Ref. Add that onto his other many failings as a captain. I've got a better idea than trying to teach Hooper integrity and respect. Pick a better Wallaby captain, like AAA for starters, and Wright when he nails down the no 6 jersey.
Bodger
Roar Rookie
Hooper’s comments aren’t going to bother a international ref. Certainly wouldn’t bother me and I reckon these refs have thick skins.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Former players in good health in 20 or 30 years time will thank the game’s custodians for being soft nancy boys back in the 2000s.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
“Michael Hooper is a quality player … he will improve as a senior player and captain.” That sounds like a good idea, after a decade on top money and 29 years old.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Love it - when the players stop throwing passes to the second row in the grandstand, tackling like amateurs and playing whoops-I-dropped-it perhaps they might then legitimately turn on the referees and criticise how they do their job. Without the referees a game between a couple of dozen young blokes who know everything would regress to a rabble.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Praise be the preservation, protection and enhancement of these great sports has been in the hands of gentlemen and women of grace such as Sir Clive Lloyd, Sir Richie McCaw, Gary Player, Rod Laver, Evonne Goolagong, Margaret Court, the Golden Bear, Sir Michael Jones, Jean de Villiers, Sir Viv Richards, Ken Rosewell and not the likes of Hoopla. As to that fabulous cliché "in the heat of the moment" as an excuse - the good captains find that concept quite odd.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Because this article is about Hooper?
Fracktobunt
Roar Rookie
Hey Wally, I have no idea, i was hoping you were going to use it as a reference point to show how out of line Hooper was in comparison to Cane’s response. Or (depending on what Cane said) show that most captains have a whinge and try to talk the ref out of sending their player off. It was a good opportunity to compare both captain’s responses after both teams had send offs for the same offence and I just wanted that balance so it didn’t sound like another Hooper beat up.
Wally James
Roar Guru
G’day Matt. I actually didn’t hear what Cole said this time. What was it?
Fracktobunt
Roar Rookie
“Maaaate, I only had time to write one short article.” Fair enough Wally but you’re article would have been far more balanced if you had made mention of what Sam Cane said after Ofa’s dismissal. Just seems like another biased Hopper rant otherwise.
RugbyLover
Guest
Because the replay showed he hit his shoulder with an open hand.....
Michael
Guest
Totally agree.
mbp
Guest
wally you are make something up out of nothing with this article. why dont one of you guys... journalists..... wright something positive about michael hooper rather than always focusing on rhe negative. he been one of our best players for the last 10 years. the public are crying our for some good journalism and positivity...!
TSR
Roar Rookie
I don’t really get this. Most/all captains try and influence the ref. McCaw did. Read did constantly (although did it with more than a little humour). At Super level Perenara does it incessantly. Eales did, Gregan, Moore, Johnson, Hartley, Farrell, Schmidt, Matlock etc etc - I could go on. Why is it okay for pretty much every other captain but not for Hooper?
Joanne Kerr
Guest
Why didn't Sam Cane get a red card for hitting Slipper in the head? It looked pretty deliberate to me but the ref said there was nothing in it.
LBJ
Roar Rookie
Hooper delivers, valiantly leading his young side to a famous victory against the odds... Honestly - give yourself an uppercut. This article epitomises why rugby struggles in Australia. Hooper and Cheika speak to the 'never say die and bugger the consequences' Aussie spirit - but for you, they will simply never be GPS enough.
GoldenEye
Roar Rookie
Do you know the break-up? Any discounts?
Louis Smith
Roar Rookie
Ofa,s just got 3 weeks
Louis Smith
Roar Rookie
The Captain Cane has that right,but show respect to the refs decision..
Louis Smith
Roar Rookie
Its been a long suggestion,Rugby should follow the Rugby League system "Put players on report " let the a Judiciary system sort it out...