Chris Rattue: Great reputations ruined in a minute

Marcus Daniell. Photo / Dean Purcell

The words of Roger Federer should be ringing in Robin Brooke's ears.

Weekend revelations that former test lock Brooke may face civil proceedings, arising from his alleged behaviour towards two teenagers at a Fijian holiday resort, further lengthens a sad fall from grace.

As Federer said, famous reputations are easily lost.

"I've always been aware that the image you patiently construct for an entire career can be ruined in a minute, it scares you a bit, but that's the way things are," said the tennis legend, commenting on his friend Tiger Woods' sex scandal.

In Tiger's case, a flock of cocktail waitresses and porn stars would surely have taken more than a minute out of his action-filled life. The participants were all consenting, apart from one mistreated fire hydrant.

In Robin Brooke's case, a minute is about all that was needed to tarnish a reputation built over a long and fabulous career with Auckland, the Blues and All Blacks. In his case, two kids were said to be unwilling participants.

The cringe factor in the Brooke scandal - and scandal it is - is extremely high. For those who treasured his career, there is nothing but tragedy here, and a hope that somehow, we can admire him again, to remember that terrible mistakes are a human condition. But only if the alleged victims are properly cared for.

What led to this, and what lurks within the Brooke character? His actions are absolutely baffling quite frankly.

The alleged victims in this saga are the teenagers, a 15-year-old Kiwi girl and a 17-year-old Australian boy, and their families and friends who are no doubt also continuing to feel the pain.

It is alleged that Brooke grabbed the girl's backside twice near the pool at the resort on Denarau Island on New Year's Eve. When the boy tried to bravely intervene, it is further claimed that Brooke threw him on a deckchair and grabbed his throat. These are, make no mistake, extremely serious allegations.

Reading this for the first time, any sane person could only recoil in shock and horror.

As yet, the 43-year-old Brooke has made no comment, nor returned any media calls. Suffice to say that in the court of public opinion, this is an admission of guilt and will remain so. Brooke is absolutely free to comment - he has not been charged, and would not be facing charges in this country anyway - and should have done so by now.

There were two absolutely clear paths for Brooke. He had to either deny the claims vehemently, for his own sake, or immediately set about making his apologies to the teenagers and their families, for theirs.

If he is hoping that a favourable Fijian police enquiry will save the day, he is mistaken.

The Herald on Sunday reported yesterday that the boy and his father had instructed a lawyer to file civil proceedings if a written apology and payment of compensation is not received. The girl's mother says they are undecided about whether to join the proceedings, but do not want Brooke's money. They are furious at the lack of an apology and explanation from Brooke.

This should not be an issue about image or damage control, but one of honourable behaviour. You could only agree with the mother and understand her disgust. Her child has faced what must be a frightening assault, and has been left to deal with her emotions while adults who should know better wriggle around trying to find the most advantageous positions for themselves.

Have we really reached a point where legal issues are so paramount, that a prompt and full apology from an adult to a teenager can no longer be made?

It must be just as hurtful for these teenagers and their families to read of suggestions that Brooke's status as an All Black will encourage Fiji police not to lay charges against him. (In defence of the Fiji police, we do not actually know that this is true, but the inferences have been made.)

Victims are doubly hurt when they feel their voices are not heard, that the system works against them, and even works for those who cause the pain. The image of a former All Black iron man threatening kids is particularly appalling, because the very power we so admired has turned on us.

I would guess that Brooke is distraught at his own behaviour. But this, and the desire to help the victims get on with their young lives, is taking an awful long time to emerge.

Robin Brooke should have worked at far greater speed to make his amends. The impression for now is that Brooke is still doing what is best for him, rather than going the extra mile, taking all the risks, to do what is best for those kids.

Stuff the legal talk, the jockeying for the safest position: do what you need to do, man.

To the teenagers and their families, I would say your voices have been heard. Many of us are sick of victims' pain being disregarded.

You feel sure that at some point, Robin Brooke will do the right thing and address this situation as he should. To protect and support both teenagers, he should step into a public confessional. By waiting so long, he has already gone about this the wrong way.

WEEKEND WINNER
Believe it or not, a New Zealand tennis player - Marcus Daniell.

WHAT TO WATCH
The Australian Open - a fantastic tournament (apart from the inevitable Scream Queens).