Rugby’s moral compass questioned
Report questions NZR’s moral values
New Zealand Rugby’s selection process lacks a moral compass, an Otago University study says.
However, the study’s authors say Kiwis need to be careful in making judgment calls around the selection of new All Black Sevu Reece.
In the wake of the selection of Crusaders star Reece in the All Blacks squad named last week amid an assault controversy, the study says NZR should do more in leadership around off-field player behaviour.
Reece admitted to one count of male assaults female after injuring his partner while drunk in a Hamilton street last year. He was discharged without conviction.
Study authors, associate professor Tania Cassidy, of the school of physical education, sport and exercise sciences, and Otago graduate Ryan Rosevear, said NZR values put winning above setting a moral standard.
The study found while NZR has a list of employee character values, there was little or no emphasis on moral values such as compassion, fairness or integrity.
‘‘NZR lacks clear emphasis on moral values. This reflects other researchers’ claims that principles such as honesty and sportspersonship are not often emphasised in elite team sports because they do not win matches,’’ Rosevear said.
The study shows NZR values are based on performance and its values don’t outline the importance of a moral character in selecting their players.
They called on NZR to consider values with a moral, as well as social focus, and encourage open discussion about why some values are prioritised and not others.
However, Prof Cassidy says the New Zealand public needs to reserve judgment calls on Reece’s selection, or players who have gone through off-field incidents.
‘‘We have to be careful that we don’t put too much on Sevu Reece. He’s a young man who has had a lot of publicity and if we keep going back to his misdemeanours, which are quite in the public – if we keep getting told what we are doing wrong then we don’t actually develop.
‘‘If all of us were judged on behaviours we did when we were 21, we wouldn’t probably be in a very productive society.’’
Cassidy said it was important Reece was given the chance to redeem himself, but she would not comment on whether his All Black selection was too soon.
‘‘I think everyone deserves a second chance, otherwise we would throw away the key.’’
When asked what morals NZR could include inits values system, Cassidy said it was important for all sports to have these discussions.
‘‘We haven’t had the debate about what moral values could be included into those explicit documents of New Zealand Rugby, and I don’t expect the rugby union to be leading that charge.
‘‘We need to be careful that we are not jumping on the bandwagon of moral values when New Zealand Rugby is trying hard to develop character in their players.
‘‘It’s a real minefield when you start putting a line in the sand saying ‘that’s appropriate and that’s not’. What we have to have is the discussions rather than putting ourselves in to little boxes.’’
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen last week said Reece’s selection was fair, as he had shown remorse and went through a process off the field.
‘‘NZR lacks clear emphasis on moral values.’’ Report co-author Ryan Rosevear
‘‘We have to be careful that we don’t put too much on Sevu Reece.’’ Report co-author Tania Cassidy