Off-Field Issues

In the light of recent misbehaving by yet another international rugby player, it seems that we have an epidemic of unruly behaviour in the world of rugby union and the problem is visibly magnified in Wales. Mike Phillips was suspended indefinitely by the Welsh Rugby Union following an incident outside a fast food restaurant in Cardiff city centre in the early hours. Although the former Osprey was on an agreed holiday period, he was asked not to report to training with the national squad due to a clear breach of the standards Warren Gatland’s men have set.

With anyone else, it could be argued that it’s a one-off. However, anyone who has seen the 6’3” scrum half out in Cardiff on a night out knows that he’s no angel. He recently dropped the charges for an assault made on him back in October which left him knocked unconscious outside a Mill Lane bar. We’re in no position to say for sure how he gets himself into these positions, but the line “do you know who I am?” is one that the Camarthen-born star has made a bit of a trademark for himself.

The worrying thing is, Phillips is not unique in finding himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Andy Powell’s most recent antics ended up with the ex Wasps man losing almost two pints of blood following an altercation with Queens Park Rangers fans on a night out in London. This added to the back-rower’s feeble track record that includes the infamous trip he took up the M4 in a buggy following a dramatic victory over Scotland in the 2009 Six Nations Tournament.

Unfortunately, it’s very difficult to write anything about Welsh rugby without mentioning the name that sends a shockwave of fury and excitement from Blackwood to the Beacons of Brecon, not Haldane Luscombe but Gavin Henson. Since taking his sabbatical from rugby 21 months ago, he’s been nothing short of a desperate cry for attention. When he closed the rugby door following his departure from the Ospreys he found himself opening a door to a room full of like-minded individuals. Such creatures go by the names of Jodie Marsh, Kerry Katona, Paris Hilton and Chantelle from big brother but to name a few. Luckily for everyone involved in rugby it looked as if he’d finally decided to concentrate on the one thing that he was put on earth to do (because let’s be honest, there’s not much prospect for him as an academic). Saracens had offered him a reprieve and a chance to play rugby and be a father at the same time. A month after his debut, he was in the South of France allegedly beating up his team-mates on nights out. Needless to say he wasn’t offered a full time contract and he’s now, once again, looking for someone who is willing to work with his given his wretched history of being a nob.

Of course, these players aren’t alone in getting themselves into trouble off the pitch. There are plenty of non-Welsh examples of disciplinary problems. Danny Cipriani, Matt Stevens and the Bath drug trio Alex Crocket, Michael Lipman and Andrew Higgins are just a few recent examples of this. It’s very rare, though, that you hear of Dan Carter, Quade Cooper, Richie McCaw and co involved in a booze-fuelled fracas, so why is it becoming a regular occurrence in the home nations?

The media in this country doesn’t help by scrutinizing players’ off-field antics, but the players are their own worst enemies the majority of the time. The players know that the goldfish-bowl environment they find themselves in requires them to act whiter than white on and off the field. It was argued that the South Wales goldfish-bowl was the reason for the rebellious nature of the players’ actions. However, it took one career move of notorious wild-boy Andy Powell to prove that this is just not the case.

Gone are the days that international rugby stars socialize with supporters following games. The pre-professional era allowed this. Players weren’t contracted to behave in a certain manner, they were just rugby players that fought hard for club or country for 80 minutes, showered up and had a beer, much like the rest of us. The game has changed infinitely since 1995, which has led to the elite being very isolated. In bygone years, bumping into an international rugby superstar in the local pub was nothing out of the ordinary. Nowadays, spotting a famous face in a social environment triggers a frenzy of camera phones and a bombardment of praise or abuse. With the amount of rugby played in a season, these social outings are limited for the elite level sportsmen. Perhaps this is half the problem in that if they do go out, they go out all guns blazing because they don’t know when their next drink is going to be.

Of course, this isn’t a defence for the minority of players that do go over the top and end up with their face in a Queen Street/Fat Bouncer sandwich. There is a licence for us to go out and do as we please, these people are being paid to play rugby and with that comes a responsibility off the field.

Rugby is becoming increasingly professional with every season, but it’s vitally important that the sport doesn’t forget its roots. In order for the game to move forward, it must look back. Coaches, physiotherapists, analysts and the rest of the laptop crew are developing their skills year on year which is being passed onto their playing staff. Unfortunately in doing so, the rich history and tradition of the game is being left further and further behind. Socially, a lot could be learned from the past players and the way that they go about their business when they step off the field.

One of the great claims rugby union has is that it is constantly compared to other sports, and in many facets, it comes top of the class. Ground atmosphere, respect for officials, respect for opposition for example are areas that we, as rugby fans, can hold our heads high. For socializing, we used to be right up there too, but over the last few years rugby has started to slide down the pecking order. It’s by no means a crisis, but if something isn’t done to nip it in the bud, it’s a matter of time until a rugby player turns up at the training ground and shoots a work experience student with an air rifle.