Everything is so serious nowadays.
COVID vaccinations! Death from sugar! Contact sport! The risk of living is suddenly so real and so great, there just isn’t enough cotton wool in the world to go round, and global warming has caused the shortage.
The fact that Lachlan Swinton has been so harshly judged and branded before turning 24 years old says more about society today than about him.
Virtue signalling has become such a trendy pastime that we have lost perspective when it comes to concussion in sport, and we have vilified players like Swinton when the game these days needs more of them.
Let’s be clear. Swinton is not a thug or mindless and uncontrollable perpetrator of violence. He’s a young man trying to forge a reputation who has made a few stupid mistakes.
Swinton hasn’t dropped an elbow into the nose of a defenceless Paul Carozza like Richard Loe did. He didn’t try to eat All Black ears like Johan le Roux either.
Sure, Loe and Le Roux are pretty nasty acts to follow, but brain explosions and dirtiness aren’t just limited to villains of the peace like those two.
Buck Shelford is an all-time great, spoken about in the same reverent tones as Richie McCaw. Known as much for his courage and skill, Shelford’s hardman reputation was secured before the 1987 World Cup triumph, when he had his scrotum stitched during a Test in France a year earlier.
But even Shelford had a few brain explosions. In the 1987 Rugby World Cup semi-final against Wales, for example, he came to the defence of lock Gary Whetton and knocked out Huw Richards with a single blow. When Richards came to, the Welsh lock was the one sent off. Shelford played on and eventually was knighted by the Queen.
Of course Shelford played in a different time, well before the sport became professional and medical protocols were developed. So let’s move on to the professional era.
Trevor Brennan of Ireland was so annoying that he even riled Toutai Kefu while playing against the Wallabies in the 1999 World Cup. Brennan and Kefu traded punches before they were warned, Brennan was penalised and the game got going again.
Admittedly, Brennan didn’t escape so lightly in 2007 when he received a life ban, later reduced to five years, for leaping into the crowd and punching an Ulster fan who had allegedly verbally abused Brennan’s mother.
Now that’s certainly hot-headed.
Brian Lima, another legend of the game, a man whose nickname ‘The Chiropractor’ is still celebrated, absolutely hammered Jonny Wilkinson high in the 2007 World Cup. It was a very similar hit to Swinton’s in the Bledisloe, and after very little deliberation the referee announced play on with a warning to Lima and a penalty given against him.
One of the greatest locks ever to play the game, Bakkies Botha, was yellow carded in his 2002 Test debut against France for stamping, an indiscretion that has nothing to do with timing and was worse than anything Swinton is guilty of on debut or otherwise.
Botha’s long-time teammate Schalk Burger was yellow carded for making contact with a player’s eyes in the second minute of a Lions Test in 2009. Notably that Test came six years after Burger debuted and long after it could be said he was a young man learning his trade, as Swinton is.
So where am I going with this historical comparison of hard men, dirty play, brain snaps and punishment?
First up, Swinton is no Richard Loe, Trevor Brennan or even Bakkies Botha. He’s a kid trying to create a reputation who has so far made too many mistakes.
All of Swinton’s mistakes as far as I can recall are down to timing and an excess of enthusiasm.
His sending-off in Brisbane in 2020 would have been a penalty and earnt a round of applause in 2010. There was no malice or intention, just as there was no malice or intention from Brian Lima when he caught Wilkinson high.
Swinton’s cleanout of Lachlan Boshier late in the Waratahs loss to the Chief’s last month was more stupid than dangerous. Boshier looked up unhurt and was probably as curious as all of us about whether the glancing contact with his chin would rub Swinton out.
It wasn’t like Botha’s yellow card for stamping when he debuted. It didn’t involve Burger-esque contact with the eyes. Yet Swinton is pilloried.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
And that brings me to my next point: why are we so sanctimonious these days? We seem to enjoy signalling our virtue so much.
These sure seem to be the years of living dangerously, of our every action being a risk to life and limb. Has the risk of living, the risk of playing rugby, suddenly quadrupled in the last five, ten, 20 years?
The obvious answer is no, it hasn’t. But you’d think it by the way we talk.
The hashtag brigade are pretty good at whipping up fear and blowing up any semblance of balanced debate. If it is so simple to decide where lines are drawn and the repercussions for crossing them, why not welcome dissenting opinions?
An element of total risk aversion and sanitisation that has crept through society and in my view is poisoning rugby.
We hear so much from a handful of concussion campaigners and not so much from those who have different perspectives on how risk management may be implemented. Why not?
I’m already bracing for the outraged reaction to this article. People who don’t toe the line with the same opinions we see on social media are automatically abused or, worse, accused of being callous.
Don’t I respect science? Don’t I care about player welfare? Don’t I care about kids welfare?
Of course I do.
But with all the hysteria and vitriol surrounding issues like concussion in sport, the debate lacks a diversity of opinion.
Oscar Wilde said that diversity of opinion shows that work is new, vital and complex. Mark Twain noted, “It is not best that we should all think alike; it is difference of opinion that makes horse races”.
Is rugby really so much more dangerous than it was ten years ago? If it really is, and I have my doubts, then we need an appropriate and balanced approach to minimising risk.
We seem to have gone from awarding penalties and playing on to issuing red cards willy-nilly, ruining the reputations of young players who would have been celebrated in the not distant past.
Swinton is more a victim of our hyperbole than his own hot-headedness.
Soap Dodger
Roar Rookie
There is nothing subtle about either Swinton or "Dirty Dave" Rennie: "Dave Rennie has ... told firebrand back-rower Lachlan Swinton to continue his violent approach in his first Test appearance since a red card on debut." See more: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/lolesio-retained-at-no-10-as-rennie-makes-significant-changes-for-france-decider-20210715-p589z1.html
Soap Dodger
Roar Rookie
I agree Phantom. "Dave Rennie has ... told firebrand back-rower Lachlan Swinton to continue his violent approach in his first Test appearance since a red card on debut." Does anyone else think this will end badly? See more: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/lolesio-retained-at-no-10-as-rennie-makes-significant-changes-for-france-decider-20210715-p589z1.html
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
I had two concussions in 12 months playing rugby over here in UK. First concussion is a minimum 4-6 weeks rest, second was 8 weeks' rest. So I missed virtually half of our 22 game season, but I was totally understanding, having spent two weeks at home after each one not able to watch television, read, feeling sick and sat in the dark listening to podcasts wasn't enjoyable at all.
Mo
Guest
Funny that Schack Berger’s been done at least twice for eye gouging and the narrative is what a great tough guy he is. Potentially blinding someone or biting their ear off is not to be tolerated. Swinton just doesn’t know how to hurt people. He tries hard but isn’t smart at it coz he doesn’t know how. He doesn’t have the subtlety.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yep there has been some ' No Angels' in the past, but with today's technology it's pretty hard to get away with what was back then, common, ' Fun '. Like even Loe, did some stupid things, but I also remember the likes of Willie John McBride, being ' king hit ' from behind, by a certain Wallaby, leaving McBride, with a broken jaw. Actually that player did have a reputation, of previously doing those king hits.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@wre01 Don’t agree with most of what you say and you lack logic imo. One the one hand you argue the game has changed greatly (which everone would agree with) and then you start comparing Swinton directly with players of 20 years ago agrueing it’s some kind of excuse for Swinton cos he wouldn’t have been sent off then. Fact is all players have to play within the rules, and accpetable community standards, of the day – their own day. Whether you (or Swinton) agree with those is irrelevant. Swinton has a history of stepping over the line and therefore has rec’d numerous yellow and red cards the past 2 seasons. Under current rules he clearly deserved every one of them. Major issue for Mr Swinton now is he shows no evidence of improving his poor discipline. He continues to have brain explosions and do very stupid things. That makes him a player WBs cannot afford to have on the field imo. And his playing form is simply not good enough to risk all his potential negatives. He’s not good enough to win you any games but likely to lose you a few every season.
Don
Roar Rookie
Harder for Tupou to go high on another player for sure. Tupou’s rid his game of that late hit that he played with and ran the gauntlet for a couple of years. Swinton is a good player. Just needs to get rid of the borderline acts and understand that it’s not “tough” to be clocking someone high.
Josh
Roar Rookie
Totally agree James, should be one of the first forwards picked. I was however impressed by Valentini last week. While his hands let him down badly, he was very strong at point of contact.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
The reputation is a load of horse manure. He got a red card on his debut. Yes, bad tackle. But no worse than Ofa T in the same game. Let’s not forget Ofa nearly got red carded out of the 2019 RWC for a similar shot. I don’t hear the same derision of him. He admits he needs to work on it, then goes through the whole season as one of the busiest defenders in the game and not a card or penalty to shot for it till 3mins from the end of season. Yet the lemmings, who were quiet all season, pop out of their holes to cry “same ol’ Swinton!” Let the record show that it was not a deserved card. It was nothing more than a penalty. Swinton might be a bit of a boofhead. But he’s not a thug or a grub.
wre01
Roar Guru
I’m a Queenslander Jockstar ;) And I love Swinton, makes mistakes but makes opposition uncomfy and adds so much to Wilson (and probably McReights) game. A very balanced back row. Think you’ll find his main competition though is at the Brumbies and Rebels.
Chufortah
Guest
Science actually suggests closer to 40 days off after a concussion - ironically, the policy now is far short from the scientific recommendations and seem to be that the sports administrators are hedging their bets on a balance between science and keeping the game going. So I suggest it’s going to get much worse over time - best come to accept this is the new reality, it’s not a belief, it’s science and litigation. Hey I’m all for waivers and self-choice, but we don’t smoke in the office now or in front of our kids do we? Waivers don’t work in Australia, and if you ever sign one it means nothing - but personally if it was workable I would like to see it happen so that we don’t go too far the other way and concussion (aka brain damage) is managed in a way that allows the game keep the essence of big blokes smashing each of other. Hey I’ve never seen anyone concussed from rucking - now bring that back now to clean up the rucks!! Thanks for the article and stirring debate!!
Morsie
Roar Rookie
Hey, why do you keep deleting my posts defending Lachie Swinton, that's 3 times now on different threads?
MaxP
Roar Rookie
I haven’t labelled you anything, but I have said you’ve used the language synonymous with the right-wing. If this is a problem for you, perhaps don’t open an article with it. Also, have a look at what debate means. It doesn’t mean sprout unsubstantiated nonsense (eg: Fitzpatrick, Pienaar et al are completely fine) and revert to labels like “virtue signalling” when someone challenges you.
I think Swinton has had issues prior to Rennie being anywhere near him but I also think Swinton will be fine. He can play rugby but just needs to adjust the mind space a bit.
No Aussie's are tho???
Jockstar
Guest
Rennie is just bidding his time before making Swinton the permanent wallaby 6. He doesn’t want to upset Queenslanders straight away
JC
Roar Rookie
It’s tough for the Swintons of the world with more collisions than ever, coaches demanding peak physicality and World Rugby at pains to reduce head contact. It seemed clear that Swinton was working hard to get his tackle height right during Super Rugby. Good luck to him.
wre01
Roar Guru
With respect and in reference to your above comments. This isn’t a right wing ‘hit’. The fact that it was labeled as such or me as a ‘concussion-denier’ (a pejorative that is added all too readily these days) proves my point about virtue signaling and how it’s used to shut down debate and attack players like Swinton. With regards to legalities. Courts are guided by ‘expert opinion’ (which is not uniform ) and precedent. You’re absolutely right that fear of litigation is driving this and governing bodies are fearful of taking on claimant class actions. To do so would automatically lead to “you only care about money and don’t care about players” which again, is a catch cry that impedes proper discussion and debate on where risk lies and how it should be managed.
MaxP
Roar Rookie
The issue is a scientific one (the CTE consensus) and a legal one (professional sports leagues will fold if they cannot stave off legal claims that they failed to provide a safe workplace). This second point has precedents, such as banning smoking in pubs to protect employees. This is not virtue signalling, this is duty of care.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
This is where another grade of sanction could be implemented. An ‘Orange’ card or something. Essentially the RC we trialed, 20mins and replaced could be Orange. Mistimed tackles and the like could fall into this category. Proper dog shots and thuggery get the full RC. But, this is very unlikely to be introduced, especially after the 20min RC just got shut down.