Editorial: Thuggery has to be kicked out

Rugby is a game capable of producing some of the most sublime moments on a sports field.

Unfortunately it can also be the melting pot of some of the worst examples of human behaviour.

Rugby was always meant to be a physical game and its robust nature is what makes it an exciting sport. There is something to be said about a hard, clean tackle that stops an attacking player in his tracks and who can ever forget Jonah Lomu trampling over the hapless Mike Catt in the 1995 World Cup semifinal between the All Blacks and England.

It is these moments that make the game and as Tana Umaga once told a referee: "We're not playing tiddlywinks here, mate - this is a contact sport".

While it may be a rough game, one has to draw the line at thuggery.

The front page lead of yesterday's Hawke's Bay Today was about an alleged assault on a 20-year-old colts rugby player during a game between Havelock North and Taradale at the weekend. The player required dental work and had a damaged eye socket. Police are investigating the incident and the full details have not come out yet, but the claim is that the player was held down by two players from the opposition while their teammate assaulted him. His rugby career seems to be over because of the eye-socket injuries. Apart from the police complaint, the Havelock North Rugby Club has also lodged a citing with the Hawke's Bay Rugby Union.

On the face of it, this is exactly the type of foul play that needs to be stamped out of rugby. There is no place for it and it just detracts from what can be a wonderful experience for a young player.

Now I know that those of us who have played rugby have probably sneaked in the odd punch and there are times one does find oneself shouting at the television, urging a favourite player to give it to the opposition.

But the line is crossed when a bit of biffo turns into assault. If you walked up to someone on the street and punched them in the face, you would be arrested for assault. Why should you be able to get away with it on the rugby field?

Let's hope the Hawke's Bay Rugby Union deals with this incident in a firm and decisive manner as a very clear message needs to be sent to young players (and older ones) that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated.

Rugby is a great game, don't mess it up with needless violence.