Rod Emmerson’s view
Public waiting to see if NZ Rugby drop the ball
“What happens on tour stays on tour” has been a saying for sports teams for years. However, now technology catches almost everything and people have a new tool to do all sorts of things — taking photos, recording, invading privacy, or playing moral policeman, as was the case with Aaron Smith’s tryst in a public toilet.
He was in uniform, and working for his employer, but it was clearly consensual and this wasn’t an assault on the street. either. A real conundrum for NZ Rugby. This story hit international headlines within hours and it’s obvious how livid Steve Hansen is when he fronts the media on these matters. He will loathe South Africa and the like using this scandal to unsettle his perfect team and rhythm.
It would be unlikely to find any professional sports contract having a clause accepting this sort of behaviour, so if there was ever a time to set an example and deterrent to all the players in this franchise, unfortunately for our No 1 halfback, it is probably now. And if the reports are true, that he nonchalantly rejoined his teammates, with a girlfriend at home to boot, is this really the type of All Black arrogance we could keep tolerating? Housing Minister Nick Smith assures me it is only a “challenge”.
A quick word
While I am not condoning what Aaron Smith did, it takes two to do this. There are women who would consider it a notch in their belt to have sex with an All Black, why is she not ‘ named and shamed’ as well. Might I suggest to Aaron Smith that next time he wishes to make personal choices that he change out of the uniform provided by his employers and show some consideration to those for whom a disabled toilet has been provided. If international departure terminals provided proper farewell facilities for couples to express the sweet sorrow of their parting, there would be no need to abuse the ablutions. To me, it is so many shades of creepy that two anonymous, sanctimonious voyeurs had to hang around for the entire time Mr Smith and a woman were in a toilet cubicle. It may turn out that the woman had a disability requiring Smith's help? From all accounts the lady involved with Aaron Smith has not complained and they did close the door behind them. Aaron cannot claim to be in the mile high club but could be made a Companion of the Latrine. Helen Clark for all her good work never really had a hope of getting the top United Nations job. In some respects she probably scared the pants off the establishment in the UN circle. If you cannot see barrier arms and flashing lights, or hear alarm bells and a train's horn, then clearly you should not be driving on our roads. Unhappily, many of these insensate individuals do not live to repeat their mistakes. Wow, our chief executive of the NZ Super Fund has received a 23 per cent rise, bringing his income to $ 1.03m. My superannuation comes to $ 15,390 pa. Isn't it great living in an egalitarian society? I can't imagine that the boss of the NZ Super Fund exhibits more ‘ original strategic thinking and leadership' than any other chief executive. Anyone who accepts a 23 per cent pay rise is no ‘ public servant'. While Russia and America clumsily drift towards another cold war, or worse, we are obsessing about trysts in toilets. We need a wake up call.