Anger Management – The need to ensure Gamesmanship in our Rugby at School Level The Sunday Times has decided to dedicate this column to its readers so that they can comment about contents in our sports columns and features and also write their own thought

Rugby as they say is a “brutal and yet a beautiful game” played by gentlemen. However, anyone, unfortunate enough to have witnessed the events that unfolded at Reid Avenue last Saturday when Royal College took on Isipathana Maha Vidyalaya in a traditional fixture in Singer U-20 school rugby league, can be pardoned for mistaking this was more reminiscent of a scene similar to vultures attacking bounded prey in an open field …

By bound I mean to play within the “rules of the game’. For if not for the clear rules established as to the decorum within which opponents in a Rugby game should respect each other, the game can quite easily transcend into a violent display of brutality more similar to a popular TV sport these days known as the “UFC” or Ultimate Fighting Championship where the stated objective is to beat each other into submission until one is either knocked out or declared the winner upon stoppage of the bout by the referee once he evaluates the health and state of the competitor at the receiving end.

Interestingly, it is the referee even in a rugby game that is entrusted with the crucial task of repressible management of the game, mainly to ensure both sides comply with the rules of engagement to ensure fairplay as a priority and that everyone on the field be held accountable for their actions while on the field of play. Let’s remember in this case these 30 individuals still being school-boys are learning to enjoy and play the game in an earnest conviction. Under the laws of the game as written by the IRB (International Rugby Board) “foul play” is simply defined as “Anything a player does within the playing enclosure that is against the letter and spirit of the Laws of the Game. It includes obstruction, unfair play, repeated infringements, dangerous play and misconduct which is prejudicial to the game,” and they specifically state, “A player must not do anything that is dangerous to the opponent”.

What transpired last Saturday to those of us watching on the sidelines showed two things quite clearly, one that the appointed referee was not aware of his basic responsibility to be un-biased in managing the game within the rules applicable, and secondly his lack of any rational intent to protect the safety of the Royal players despite the unprovoked and brutal assault on them by their opponents, this despite many notices on the repeated infringements, made known to him by the supporting officials the lines-men as has now been well corroborated in the video evidence given to Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association – disciplinary committee as was made known to the media this last week. It is understood this same video evidence in a summarised version is now available on social media sites (i.e. You Tube) for any rational rugby supporter to make their own judgments as to whether this was a game of Rugby or a display of thuggery by misdirected youth.

It is important to understand the gravity of the injuries caused by the scenes of unprovoked violence and repeated off the ball infringements that was witnessed, for eg: Eye Gouging being the most severe of offences in Rugby where a player could be banned for years (or for life) depending on the evidence presented. 2 Royalists were severely eye-gouged and a few others taken out illegally (blind-sided) by violent disregard while simply playing the ball. It is reliably understood, that the SL schools rugby committee appointed to inquire into the events that occurred last Saturday, were appalled to say the least when they saw, by way of video footage presented, the nature and gravity of the injuries received as result of this violent play by Isipathana MV players and also at the unexplainable incompetence by the referee to control the game in a manner that would best represent the sport and its governing schools and refereeing body. The video evidence had also clearly showed 2 tries scored by the Royalists being disallowed despite the referee being in clear view of the action before him. Upon review of the video evidence, it had re-iterated fact that the last try scored by Isipathana MV was un-contested and its validity in doubt under the rules of the game as their opponents were not even on the playing field.

If one thing can be commended, it is the fact the Royalists never stooped to the level of their opponents or retaliated in a manner that was un-becoming of the Gentlemen that play this game and have played before them, but stood their ground heads held up high, bloodied and battered until when the highest authorities in the school had called them out due to the continued risk of playing under this dangerous environment, one can then only imagine the plight of a parent watching their child endure such heinous acts on their own. Sadly except for one irresponsible scribe writing a weekly rugby related column (who we are not sure was even there or maybe had left his visual aids at home) who thought it was the “odd punch thrown”, it was clear for anyone to see, as the evidence now presented has shown and as was mentioned in un-biased media reports immediately after the game, this was not two teams competing on a level playing field but one team trying to cheat the game and their hallowed opponents, and that did not understand the fine but very clear distinction between Gamesmanship and Foul-Play!

One of the nicest things to watch for the purest of Rugby supporters is the not just the brutal contact in this sport at exhilarating speeds, but also to watch these ablebodied giants help each other up on their feet after bruising hits and congratulating each other at the end of a hard fought game played well within the rules. If these schoolboys are taught to play the game in this manner in their formative years, it will not be hard to imagine what course of action they make take in life once they are responsible adults striving to survive in a competitive world albeit in a civilized manner. It is our sincerest hope those responsible to shape these boys into men will teach them the responsibilities that lie before them not only in inspiring their younger brothers who might look upto them and take up the sport but also in knowing the importance of civility and respect of their opponents whilst upholding the integrity of a beautiful game!