I don’t think 62000 people pay to see a 15 versus 14 game : Johan Ackermann
What a pleasure it was to see Emirates Park packed to its 62 000 capacity last Saturday .What a pleasure to watch the Lion’s brand of rugby. What a pleasure to see a superb referee given the ultimate accolade of handling the Super Final – even though a team from his home country was contesting .
But, what a disappointment to see yet another great contest spoiled by a game- changing RED CARD .
Moving forward , something needs to change.
Hats off to Jaco Peyper who made the right call according to the rule book , but even he seemed sympathetic and disillusioned when handing a red card to Kwagga Smith in the 39th minute.
His face even tells us a story in this photo .
Jaco Peyper is brilliant at creating the right platform for many great games of rugby to be contested . But , this time the current rugby rule book stopped him from doing what he does best – allowing for entertainment, education and enrichment .
I don’t think 62000 people pay to see a 15 versus 14 game. The player can get disciplined after the game, especially if it is not out of the law from the dirty play perspective. Johan Ackermann
Ackers you have got it spot on. And , what about the millions of television viewers worldwide who pay monthly subscriptions to premium sport channels .
We all know that world rugby wants to stamp out reckless play that can lead to serious injury. The players know that. We all know this.
But , the way they are going about it , does little to keep the spectators flocking to the game .
This is the second high profile match in less than two months , which has been ruined by a red card call. Remember Sonny Bill William’s red card in the recent British Lions/ All Blacks second test. It changed the series.
At Emirates Park , what could have been a true spectacular , turned into a one sided contest > And it could have been worse if it was not for the Lion’s sheer tenacity in a near hopeless situation against a champion team.
It’s simple.
Sanction the player after the game – according to severity of the incident.
Was Kwagga reckless? Yes . Was he cynical ? No.
Give him a yellow card and a two match ban
Was Sonny Bill reckless? Yes. Was he cynical ? Yes
Give him a yellow card and six match ban.
The referee on the field should only be tasked to issue a RED CARD – if and only the player gets two yellows in the same game.
Let a special rules committee determine and decide on the player’s intent after the game – and hand down an appropriate discouraging sanction. Look at the player’s history and his playing intent .
Sanction the player – not the spectator.
Super Sport with their premium sports package brings us great entertainment , but maybe it’s time that they start questioning the current red card ruling.
Paying subscribers are not interested in a 15 versus 14 miss- match.
Spectators put in great effort and pay high ticket prices to watch the big matches. And they pay even more when they follow their teams on international tours .
They deserve better.
CONGRATULATIONS must go to the Crusaders who played superb rugby – after travelling across continent to win a Super Rugby final . And that’s never easy.
Well done to them, but even they must be wondering if they would have beaten the Lions without that game- changing red ?
Let’s hope we will see change – sooner rather than later .
Rob Opie is a Brand Strategist , Entrepreneur , Author, Speaker, and Performance Coach to Business Executives, Corporate teams, Sports teams and Individuals.
Coaches see what we can’t. Coaches help us push right up to and thru our own limitations. We are ALWAYS capable of more than we think when we really push ourselves : Corey Wayne
Get a complimentary copy of Rob’s new eBook to be launched in Spring 2017 . Email him robopie@thegameplan.co.za
TO BOOK A PERSONAL COACHING SESSION , email me personally at :
You can either book a TWO HOUR one-on- one coaching session( dependent on your location and my travel plans ), or a two ONE HOUR phone coaching sessions. ( or skype audio ): Cost R1500.00.
Find out more about Rob’s potent game- changing coaching method : THE GAME PLAN METHOD
Find out more about his POWER TALKS in 2017 :
THE GAME CHANGERS : GOOD TO GREAT TO GREATER.
Find out more about his new ONLINE CORPORATE TEAM COACHING PROGRAMME
THE GAME CHANGERS . POWER UP YOUR GAME .POWER UP YOUR SALES
Find out more about his POWER HALF DAY TEAM COACHING WORK SHOP
And here’s some more Insight, Innovation and Inspiration for Mahala :
Subscribe FREE to Rob’s weekly coaching newsletter >>
