Every person is entitled to have his/her view about the laws of the game and their application.
Some views show deep thought and are incredibly worthwhile. Some views should be neither valued nor sought. Michael Cheika’s view on Damien McKenzie’s sendoff falls into the latter category.
Cheika said, “One of the things I’m disappointed about is the fact that McKenzie got sent off…I don’t like it at all. The force is not brought by McKenzie. The force is brought by the ball carrier running. Tait McDermott is not even hurt, he gets straight back up.” That was not all he said about the incident, in fairness. But it’s enough.
The force was bought by both McKenzie and McDermott. They ran into each other. Consequently, Cheika’s first assertion is palpably wrong. Simple physics would tell him that.
Whether McDermott was hurt or not is irrelevant to the commission of the offence. It simply goes to the penalty to be imposed. The purpose of the change to the Law is to avoid the risk of injury. It would be absurd to suggest that the law requiring seatbelts in motor vehicles be removed because, in one instance, a driver without a seatbelt came away unscathed from a 150 km/h collision.
Taking an individual result from a head knock is an illogical way of assessing overall risk and whether laws should be implemented to avoid the risk.
As long ago as 1985 the ‘Football Club and Boxing Medical Officer’ of the University of Queensland, a consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon, wrote an article in the Australian Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport regarding concussion in contact sports. In it, he said, “…loss of consciousness is not an essential feature of concussion.” That McDermott walked away is not relevant to being sent off. No doubt it was relevant to the judiciary giving McKenzie three weeks.
The medical officer went on to say “return to training and competition should be deferred until all associated symptoms such as headaches have completely resolved…in some cases, athletes should be advised to cease further participation in the sport”. Medical opinion hasn’t changed since. Yet, Cheika suggests committing the very act which can result in the end of a player’s career does not warrant a sendoff.
It is common knowledge that NFL in the United States was sued by some of its players claiming damages arising from concussions. In more recent times, the RFU has been sued by players who have suffered head injuries in their games. Steve Thompson from England cannot even remember the 2003 English RWC victory.
When Rugby AU is sued, as it may well be, the first thing that will affect liability or an award of damages is what steps were reasonably taken to ensure the safety of the player. The current laws of the game are aimed at that.
There is no excuse for a late shoulder charge to the head. Put simply, that is what McKenzie did. I am sure there was no malice in it. McKenzie has exhibited a jubilant love for the game in all matches I have seen him play. But the fact of the matter is a lack of malice doesn’t prevent concussions. Lack of application of force to the head does that.
It might be difficult to believe that the former Australian coach would be an apologist for such behaviour. However, his previous utterances have been littered with such absurdities. I enjoy hearing him talk of tactics. He is a keen observer of the game. But the more we hear from him about tactics and the less we hear about policies underlying the game, the better his commentary will be.
Malo
Guest
Cheika makes a lot of sense. He has played the game and knows it , those that don’t like him are either Queenslanders or haven’t played the game and don’t know it.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
McDermott dropped his chin late in the tackle after the initial contact . This happens a lot . There was little force in it and no damage done, except to the Chiefs chances. If you watch European Rugby common sense usually prevails in tackles like this one.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
You must have been tougher than me
moaman
Roar Guru
When I was young I loved running into Kiwis girls at parties, :thumbup: :silly:
Wally James
Roar Guru
Novel. Harsh but fair.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
I agree PK. The only problem is that it shows just how far the game has progressed beyond my ability to follow it in real time. I still can’t believe people treat everything he says as fact; did not analyse other teams. Seriously? I really enjoyed the Kiwi woman (Rikki?) commentator, quick, seemed accurate and seemed to know what she was talking about. When I was young I loved running into Kiwis girls at parties, Aussie blokes knew nothing about scrums.
Ethel McAAVaaarK
Guest
LOL :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Charlie Turner
Guest
I sent a suggestion to RA two years ago to solve their financial crisis: clamp Cheika in stocks in the center of ANZ Stadium and charge punters $10 for each piece of rotten fruit they pelt at him.
Wally James
Roar Guru
And that’s the thing isn’t it Cogs. No one wants to see any player suffering later in life regardless of what team you play for. We are all rugby folk after all. MC would appear to be ignorant of the true facts regarding CTE.
Cogs Malone
Guest
I was supporting the Chiefs and I support the referee's decision. Sure, there was no malice but no one in NZ that I know is bemoaning the the call. If it changes the game so that the head area is left alone then the game is better for it.
Red 'til I'm Dead
Roar Rookie
Don't know if it is just me - but their seems to be some considerable tension between Cheika and Drew as well?
Red 'til I'm Dead
Roar Rookie
I am with you all the way. Loved the game, loved the spectacle, as soon as Cheika started spouting this idiocy I turned the TV off. Dodgy and irresponsible.
Wally James
Roar Guru
And he wasn't backward in giving refs a serve in after match coach comments either. Clause 2.7 of he Code of Conduct for rugby folk particular refers to coaches and says the coach must Accept and respect the authority of a referee... Do not...show unnecessary obvious dissension, displeasure or disapproval towards a referee.... How Cheika was not charged with offences under the code remains a mystery to me. The Leagueys would have fined him.
freddieeffer
Roar Rookie
Agree Waxy. I almost spontaneously puke at seeing/hearing anything from MC. His personal performance and results during his Wallabies tenure are damning, and I would've thought that the smartest thing he could do post RWC19 is refrain from any high profile rugby duties. He's had his time in the sun, now allow others some clear air. I was also very disappointed with his inclusion as a commentator by Stan who had a golden opportunity with the 'fresh start' they had with being new broadcasters. They didn't need to take on board anyone who had baggage from the recent Wallaby years that die-hard rugby supporters would I suspect, assess as 'years we went substantially backwards'. Whether MC is regarded by some as a guru or not, he certainly has some rugby IQ liabilities (as per this article) as well as random communication gaffs that easily offset any positives he contributes. Maybe Stan wanted some guaranteed 'controversy' in their commentary team ? Wanted to generate some fan reaction? If they did, they have qualified themselves as mugs. I hit the mute button then change channels for a few minutes. That's my reaction.
Charlie Turner
Guest
In Cheika's warped mind the only reason he failed as Wallabies coach was referee's. He loves to take the tough guy position. I remember him getting a shoeing years ago and the doctors needed a bale of cotton to sew his melon. It was an ugly incident and his brother initiated legal action against the shoe'er. There was more than a touch of irony in the legal move as it was an illegality Cheika himself attempted at almost every ruck.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Well said Wally
Wally James
Roar Guru
It was a bit hard to take, the whole statement re McD and McK. And coming from a position of perceived authority, even more so.
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Well said. It still has me gobsmacked that the person with the worst record of any Wallaby coach ever and who has done so much damage to Australian rugby with his arrogance and myopic coaching is given so much leeway. He should be banished to the “never talk to again” corner and RA should pray for thanks each night that he is no longer part of the set up
Wally James
Roar Guru
Wax, I remember that line from 2018. He repeated it in the RWC 2019 as I remember. I try and keep an open mind with him but it is difficult.
PeterK
Roar Guru
I am with the author. On the send off he was wrong. However most of the time when he focuses on the tactics of the game on what is happening he shows a lot of insight. He adds value. Often he has seen something, that is accurate, that I have missed, so I learn something re the wider tactics. It certainly is a step up of what we used to have which was inane, or just stating the obvious, i.e so and so runs the ball, passes to another and so on. All that anyone watching can see. I don't want to hear about other things from him though. Alana Fergerson is very good too.