Wallaby lock Darcy Swain has copped a right royal schlocking in the media and online for his foul play against Quinn Tupaea in Bledisloe One, which left the All Black flanker injured and out of the game for up to nine months.
Swain received a six-week playing ban which many thought inadequate given the consequences of his actions, but has expressed regret and if he is genuine will think hard before doing such a thing to another man on the field.
Overall I have been proud of the Australian reaction to Swain’s misdeed. Former players such as Will Genia on The Roar have guided the public reaction to the incident and Aussies joined the chorus, asking Swain to rethink how he plays our beautiful game.
The whole of the global rugby community does however need to reflect on the incident and ask itself, how is it in 2022 that we still have players thinking that they can act in this fashion.
My suggestion is that the global rugby community look to Australia’s example of how we have reacted to Swain’s transgression and to the way the game is played in Australia.
Australia has produced genuine tough, competitive teams throughout the history of the game and at the peak of the Wallabies powers through the 1990s and early 2000s, were the first national team to win two world cups, a record not matched by any other nation until South Africa’s win in 2007.
Yet until this unfortunate action by Swain, the Wallabies haven’t been known for inflicting serious injuries on their opponents through dirty play.
The Wallabies opponents haven’t had legs wrenched so hard that muscles are torn from the bone and careers ended, they don’t have faces smashed in by an elbow while on the ground after scoring a try, they don’t have shoulders and tours wrecked in spear tackles, and they don’t have their necks damaged through repeated targeting of key players through neck rolls.
(Photo by Getty Images)
Furthermore in those instances where a Wallaby has engaged in dirty play, think Quade Cooper’s knee drop on Richie McCaw in 2010 and now Swain, the players are admonished.
Aussies don’t want rugby to be played like tiddlywinks, but we would rather our team lose a game than resort to dirty tactics, which almost certainly explains why those actions are the exception rather than the norm by Wallabies.
I sometimes think that the Wallabies commitment to fair play puts them at a disadvantage on the international stage, but that commitment is one of the reasons why it was so easy for me to support the men in gold, when I moved to Australia from New Zealand in the 1980s.
I hope that every Wallaby reflects on this event and the legacy that they are part of and recommits to maintain the reputation of the Wallabies as a clean team.
I also hope that the rugby community around the world reflect on the Australian example of not accepting dirty play and let their own teams know their expectations.
It would be my dream to see former players who in times gone by engaged in dirty play admit that they did the wrong thing, without any mitigating excuses, and implore modern players not to be “that guy”.
Also while we should be respectful of the dead and honour their great achievements, if a past sporting hero did another player such harm through dirty play that it ended their career, nations need to temper any deification, with honesty about instances where they behaved badly.
Keeping rugby clean is probably one of the most important measures that can be taken to ensure the survival of the sport. Players in 2022 are bigger, stronger and faster than they ever were and if a culture where this sort of conduct is excused is perpetuated, then the consequences will inevitably be suffered by players like Tupaea.
Aside from the terrible personal consequences to the player, this is bad for national teams who lose a player and for rugby in general. Parents will think twice before allowing their kids to participate in rugby, if dirty play that could leave them with serious injuries is not stamped out.
The ball is in the court of rugby around the world, if you don’t want future kids to only be allowed to play tiddlywinks, police your own to stamp out dirty play in rugby like Australians do and the game will be better for all.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
I don't think the response you see on here is especially representative KPOL, it just reflects a significant noisy minority who aggressively defend indefensible, like Putins cyber trolls. If you look at the breakdown of positive to negative reactions on the Roar facebook page, there is an overwhelming majority of "likes" over laughing or angry faces. Furthermore a lot of the positive responses from the nation's concerned, despite the comments section being dominated by whataboutism. I think people "get it" that the lousy culture ruins the experience of the game for everybody, the decent folk just need to muster the courage to pull the meatheads into line and articulate their expectations to the relevant unions.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Yes they do and I am on record as saying he has a history of doing dumb things and shouldn't be first choice for the WB's unless he fixes that.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Don’t know what you meant there Dodger, but I ‘liked’ it anyway.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
My rugby days my claim to fame was my elusiveness-especially in defence.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
“ Rhys that is just terrible, one of your absolute worst yet.” The editors inbox awaits the eloquent, accurate, and cringeless words of Big Jim Scott. (I wonder if he’ll bring the strawman next time?)
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Mirrors are just a reflection, of other things Rhys :silly:
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
“the comparison is just to highlighting of a lack of basic morals, with thuggery being collectively protected because it is collectively enjoyed.” Rhys, I note on this thread, amongst all the missiles traversing the ditch (both ways), the ‘loneliness’ of your quest here. Some topics are too hot for most to delve into. I suspect you would’ve collected more ‘likes’ (including from myself) were the topic less ‘sacred’ in one non-Australian union. For one, you are engaging in a cultural assessment, one which rides very close to (but is not the equivalent of) the whataboutism charge of your counterpointers. And cultural accountability is difficult to create, because cultural imbalances, by definition, are social assumptions. And assumptions to the assumer are ‘reality’. ‘The way we do/describe/judge things around here’ form distinct nuances depending on where and when ‘here’ is. Tackle etiquette in Rural NZ in the 1960s is very different culturally than 2022’s Brumby cleanout protocols, for instance. In that sense the Meads example (no penalty blown, no citing or apology) may have no place in the Swaingate event (video scrutiny, vicious insult and occasional whataboutism barbs). But your point about cultural accountability is worthy of more exploration. We do not need to stain the memory of a rugby legend by mere acknowledgement of a poor act. By any era’s standards it was a poor act on a playing field. Let Meads have his glory I say, but, as you say, let the Swain hunters tsk tsking be also tempered with self awareness of the many poor acts preceding it, which would include the recent, accurate, repetitive and ‘accidental’ twisting of Pocock’s cervical region. And only he and his doctors know the influence of these injuries contributed to by timid rugby officials on his test retirement. The historical celebration of ‘tough’ rugby (and league) players has contemporary outcome. Lawyers are scribbling notes outside brain injury wards as we speak. But more, Australian mothers see four footy codes for their kids to engage in. And That cultural/commercial reality is heading towards OZ rugby’s future like a runaway train. But back to recalcitrant NZ’s blind spot (Note: As you know, NZ is much more diverse than the recalcitrants and the Eden Park booers). The now departed Meads did much more than one poor act on a rugby field. His nobility demands respect, as much as any fault asks for accountability. Like you Rhys, I live on the ‘bridge’. Though utterly Aussie, I have close contact with NZ (so much so that some friends are quite comfortable speaking of their hatred for WBs, Australia and Australians in front of me). But that bridge of cultural understanding is missing a few cosmological planks. Your attempts here, albeit painful, may be part of the necessary ‘war’ that precedes a treaty. I dip my lid.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Geeez honestly you are delusional as I’ve even spoken about that incident not only with Piney, but others. If you honestly think that particular incident was what some think it was then you need medication. Would you have rather had Catchpole been spat out of the ruck, as what they were back then, or pulled into the clear, of those that were rucking?? Mate you’ve got no idea! Try getting yourself better educated on that incident or rather the game as it was back then. Your Welsh heritage is letting you down.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
Ok then, deliberate or reckless, both lead ti the sane terrible consequences.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
Tell all the non Australian professional players, refs etc who have condemned Swain that it was just “niggle” then, because it was a similar incident and outcome to what Meads did to Catchpole. No selective outrage thanks.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Well your position that Darcy Swain deliberately set out to seriously injure Tupaea and should say so publicly is dubious and isn’t going to fly. So you are doomed from the start.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Honestly tell me, what have you ever done, as far as the game goes?? Have you ever played the game, then put as much back into the game as I? Obviously not, as you don’t seemingly understand what the word emotions are! Ffs it’s a contact sport & niggle does happen at all levels, even when coaching some players can go overboard & surprisingly even here in Australia, where coaching skills can be at times, somewhat stretched . In this alone it appears you have NO understanding of. Yes what WR has put in place regarding head injuries is a start in the right direction but still more has to be done. I’ve even seen what they’ve done in South Africa as far as supporting injured players, that possibly the rest of the world should look at, as we here in Australia have nothing here to equal it. Try going to different nations mate, & just maybe you might learn something as your whinge here is a little over the top, & I’m sure you would never have the guts to disrespect Piney to his immediate families face as you have here! That alone has taken away what credibility you have.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
I disagree, apologising for deliberately inflicting a severe injury on somebody would demonstrate goodwill, the ability to take responsibility and would set a good example for all concerned going forward. By making it clear that this sort of thing is never acceptable, it takes away the “whatabout” excuse that characterises these discussions. Heck, ask Darcy Swain to stand up next to the older blokes from other countries if you like and have him express regret too, I think it would be good. These blokes are role models and if they are role modelling dirty play on the field, then that is what we will continue to get, but if they speak up against it now we might see some progress.
ScottD
Roar Guru
I don't disagree but your call for everyone to apologise for the past before agreeing on the future isn't logical and won't be productive. Just look forward to where we want the game to get to and then move towards that. Anything that calls for retrospective blame to be apportioned is doomed to fail.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
Do me a favor and next time some young man from any nation cops a long term injury in an instance like this, look yourself in the mirror and remind yourself that you were one of the older men who helped keep the dirty culture in rugby going. See how proud you are to be able to name drop Meads then.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
That comment alone shows your utter ignorance of the game as a whole! I did, prior to Piney’s death speak with him on several occasions, along with socialising & he was NO thug, as you prefer to call these known legends of the game, that are also recognised by WR, as that. Honestly do you even know anything about the game? As what you have said about other nations compared to Australia is utter ????! also you have the nerve to refer to yourself as a ‘ Roar pro’?? Mate just stick to journalism & keep writing up on ballet dancing, as that is far more appropriate to the BS you have put up here!
Soap Dodger
Roar Rookie
The irony of a comment being made on this post by “Ken Catchpole’s Other Leg” is something to behold. As for the content of the comment, it is of characteristically high quality.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
I wouldn’t want to meet or socialise with Colin Meads, sure he spoke with a charming plum in his mouth, but the fact that a dirty player like him has been lionised with a statue and has his actions ferociously defended, is the best demonstration of the problem that I could hope for. Fans from other nations either want the game played like he did and shouldn’t whinge like many have recently when it happens to one of their own players, or they should be big enough to admit that they have collectively perpetuated a very poor culture and commit to changing. The level of resistance that I see makes me doubt that the maturity exists to make the second choice, though I live in hope that a sufficient critical mass of grownups exists to eventually bring the mob of overgrown schoolboys who seem to drive this discussion, around to their senses. It is just a game and maiming somebody is not worth it, that is the message that we will keep giving to Aussie players. I suggest that they will be more likely to listen if they know they aren’t putting themselves at risk of copping a career threatening injury, from thugs who don’t play by the same rules.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
David Pocock’s neck was almost wreaked by repeated illegal neck rolls in the leadup to the 2019 Rugby World Cup and there are plenty of other examples of dangerous play in the last couple of decades, which just isn’t admitted by the rugby communities of some nations. This sort of thing is only going to end when people step up and police their own like Australia does better than anybody else, otherwise it just becomes a finger pointing exercise and people will keep getting hurt.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
I think what I am requesting is pretty self-explanatory, for players who have done these things in the past to publicly admit it and implore young players who they have influenced why they regret what they did and not to do the same. Not really a big ask to preserve people's health and preserve the game, I would have thought.