Schools rugby red carded

The hot topic these days continues to be rugby related. It is not the quality of the rugby dished out that has caught the limelight, but the pathetic behaviour of the spectators and certain support staff.

The Referees Union has laid its cards on the table and the message is very clear for all to see. If the home team cannot guarantee the safety of the referee, then they need to have games played to empty stands as in the case of controlling football hooliganism.

In my entire lifespan of watching this great sport I am sure that this is the first instance where such a stance is being taken by the Referees Union. Thus it is indeed a black day for school rugby in Sri Lanka which is considered the cradle of Lankan rugby.

Whilst we see advancement in the standards of coaching and the physical fitness of the players, we have also seen the deteriorating of the principles of the game and sportsmanship has taken a back seat. The competitiveness of the sport has brought some undesirables as well which include the attitude of winning at any cost, lack of sportsmanship and the inability to accept defeat.

At every turn the spectator has been critical of a referee’s decision and has resorted to verbal and physical abuse, the telltale signs of a failed state and society. If the authorities do not get together and take some action, the game will be reduced to thuggery. A lot of people will sit back and do nothing as it does not affect them personally. I am haunted by what the late Lasantha wrote, quoting Pastor Martin Niemöller, just before his unfortunate demise:

First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.

The referees are professionals and are expected to do their job well. They are also human and are prone to mistakes. If the shortcomings are not intentional, the player and the rugby-doting public must accept the decision of the referee. In the event they appear intentional, there is a grievance process that must be followed. At no stage is a player or a team permitted to take the law into their hands.

The Bradby was refereed by the world-renowned Jonathan Kaplan. Whilst the majority of the local rugby fans were full of praise for the referee, one has to glance through some of the international games that he has officiated to realise some of the mistakes that he has made. At no stage was he subject to verbal/physical abuse, although the media did have a field day

The ugliest new phenomenon that is emerging is that of the parents of players who abuse the referees and the coaching staff as well. They believe that their kid is the best no matter what the coach thinks. The parents of players must be restricted to the role of spectators, irrespective of the fact that they may have been quality players in their heyday. Some of them even have the gall to enter the dressing room and provide their ‘sound advice,’ which is generally 99% sound and 1% advice.

The Lions have got off to a solid start on the Aussie tour with two thumping wins. Thus the pace has been hot and I am sure that all rugby fans will be looking forward to the first test on 22 June 2013. In the interim they will play the Reds, Waratahs, the Brumbies and a combined NSW side. These games will provide a sterner test for the Lions as they get their combinations right for the Test matches. These matches will be played at full stadiums as opposed to the local schools rugby.



(The writer can be reached via [email protected].)