http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyle...Wigan-dear.htmlI never thought I'd live to see the day when this occurred openly at this level of rugby - football yes, I'll never forget the image of a certain Gallic personage delivering a drop kick to an irate fan.
Sport is about discipline for effectiveness not fits of pique IMHO.
Well, whilst not condoning what happened I must say, and I speak as the father of a retired Rugby professional (Leicester Tigers and 7 caps for England U21), I have seen far worse. Throwing or receiving a punch is almost part of the game, I remember my son getting a rocket from Dean Richards for not being aggressive enough......at match fitness he was 6' 5" and 18 stone of second row!!!
Compared to gouging and stamping it comes under the heading of a few matches ban in my book but when you think that some have had life bans overturned for drug abuse calling for a player to loose his career is a bit OTT I think, punish him for sure but lets keep things in perspective. My sons first senior match was against Northampton Saints and he got a very similar punch with the message 'welcome to the big boys son'....nothing happened, not even a sin bin, he 'sorted' it later in the match in his own way!
I should have added the bloke who thumped my lad was at that time Scotland's captain, a very experienced professional. After the match they (as all players do) had dinner together sitting alongside each other as if nothing had happened swapping banter......
An interesting front line top level inside view SJ and how proud of him you must feel.
My point really is that like so many things, just because they have traditionally been accepted or done that way is not a good enough reason to carry on that way.
To me that is the best reason to change for the betterment of the game and protection of the players futures by minimizing the risk when it is based on research and knowledge.
Unfortunately a lot of brain damage remains dormant until later in life and that is why these type of incidents need rigorous policing.
It will improve the game, it's roughie toughie enough already but I do not need to witness this level of violence and cowardice whilst watching a good standard of rugby.
A trip to Exeter or Plymouth at 0200ish would provide this sort of behaviour a plenty unfortunately.
