10 | SPORT | RUGBY S1 Sunday Independent 6 March 2016 Always check the background

The 70 so-called experts lack the qualifications or experience to dictate to us about rugby injuries

NEIL FRANCIS

HIS one is about failure in the media, more specifically failure to question. I read the financial press every day. On a regular basis TI come across articles where I am told that some Gordon Gekko-type hedge fund principal or financier tells us he is really worried and he thinks sterling will devalue by two or three per cent in the next month. The explanations as to why this will happen are somewhat plausible but please . . . no panic. There is no byline, no author, and no references — nothing under the piece to suggest any attribution. We have no idea where it came from or who penned it. It just appeared. There is nothing to substantiate it or no counter-argument or editorial to challenge it. So we read it and repeat it to our mates. I see Gordon Gekko says sterling will devalue by two or three per cent in the next month. It then becomes a fact. What is indisputable is that it is a self-fulfilling prophecy. The boys have all short positions in place and when the forest fire starts, they collect. A month later we are all blown away. That fella Gordon Gekko is a bloody genius. Put something out there in the newspaper and if nobody checks or challenges it, well then it is a fact. Wednesday evening came slowly and my editor calls. I thought I was going to lose the will to live if he suggested an Italian preview. “That schools tackling ban thing” . . . he didn’t want a preview either. Later that evening a couple of calls came through to see if I would go on radio/TV and talk about this letter penned by the ‘Sport Collision Injury Collective’ and sent to all the appropriate governmental bodies on these islands. To sanitise any contact sport is to take the essence completely out of them Seventy medical doctors, academics and healthcare professionals had signed as The Sun have been examining what referred to the former Archbishop of in the UK and Ireland — where these know he could have watched 500 schools rugby against their will”. My eldest son their names to the letter calling for Professor Anderson has said in lectures Canterbury, now Master of Magdalene people wish to implement the ban. The games and decided it was too dangerous. played some rugby at Willow Park, didn’t a ban on tackling in at and articles the years. College Cambridge, Rowan Williams only way to find out is not to assume but Or Dr Johannes Fuss from the University enjoy the game and so he stopped with schools level. Here’s one from a lecture in Oxford as an “arsehole”, “a total bigot” and “a to check it out yourself, otherwise you Medical Centre of Hamburg-Eppendorf, his parents’ approval. My middle boy There is active debate on this after all, University where students reported him fucking liar”. are not certain. who looks like he is a real doctor but he prefers to read books and he won’t be so when this collective of medical profes- to have said: “I’m going to cuss a lot and What Anderson said is on the record Most of Anderson’s colleagues from is a sex researcher and a forensic psy- compelled to play rugby against his will, sionals makes a call like this it is prudent I’m going to break down all kinds of and is substantiated. There are a number Winchester University who signed the chiatrist. How could this man possibly and I don’t know of any child who is to listen to what they have to say. I didn’t hegemonic structures. If you’re offended of other unsubstantiated claims made letter are not doctors of medicine. They know anything about tackling in schools forced against their will to play if their go on the airwaves. How objective could by discussions of anal sex, vaginal sex, about him. I can’t comment on that. are people who hold a BSc in Sports rugby in Ireland and the UK? There parents don’t want them to play. It is a I be? I was part of the problem, big ol’ rimming, cheating, having cum all over What I can comment on is that I find could be four or five Fusses coming up preposterous assertion. me running over or through little Jimmy [your] face then you should probably it inappropriate that a 46-year-old man the tramlines in Clongowes Wood or Whenever I see something like the and sending him off to hospital. I had a leave.” in a position of responsibility would Contact is what Roscrea . . . maybe not! United Nations Convention on the reasonable thread of thought prepared He then claimed to have had sex with boast about this to a packed lecture hall. How could a hugely diverse and geo- Rights of the Child (article 19) — read it when I thought I better read the letter. “easily over a thousand people”. Irrespective of what the age of consent graphically diverse group of people, most online — then I think these people are If 70 respected medical professionals “I like sex with 16, 17, 18-year-old boys is or the individual’s sexuality or sexual they seek. There of whom have no experience of watching devolved from the real world. and academics had co-operated on this particularly, it’s getting harder for me preferences, what parent could be happy or experiencing schools rugby in Ireland There is legitimacy in trying to lessen project then I had better have a look at to get them but I’m still finding them. that they send their 16/17/18-year-old or the UK, then call for a ban on tackling risk at schools level, and I have to some- what they are saying. I hope between the age of 43 and the son or daughter to a university where a is risk attached in Ireland and the UK? what sympathise with Professor Allyson Sure enough there was merit in some time I die I can have sex with another predator like Anderson resides? Where are the new research studies Pollock, whose son Hamish picked up of what was being outlined, and on the thousand, that would be awesome even There are a number of on-going on the harmful effects of tackling in three significant injuries. Pollock wrote third and fourth pages of the letter were if I have to buy them — of course, not a campaigns for Anderson’s dismissal. to all sport schools rugby? Why aren’t they indexed a book explaining the dangers of playing the names of 70 people from a geograph- problem, you pay for all kinds of enter- So far there have been reprimands and or attached to the letter? The represent- rugby which was aimed at parents. I ically diverse arena. It transpires that the tainment and pleasure.” warnings but no dismissal. atives of this unwieldy group do not would agree with her sentiment that letter was co-written by Allyson Pollock, He also explained that he and his Where were we? Studies, an MSc in Sport and Exercise address any bona fide research or quote “rugby union in schools must distin- Professor of Public Health and Policy at boyfriend like to travel on cruise ships Oh yes, Anderson was one of two Science, and the Doctors are holders the studies or their authors. Anecdotes guish itself from the very brutal game Queen Mary University of and because “it’s like sex tourism, which is people who authored a letter asking that of PhDs in Sociology and Sport Man- and obscure references. They have dis- practiced by the professionals”. Eric Anderson, Professor of Sport, Mas- just amazing” and “I always screw the tackling in rugby be banned for anyone agement. A huge percentage of these seminated shamelessly unrepresentative For Anderson to suggest that school- culinities and Sexualities at Winchester dancers”. He went on to say “we stop at under the age of 18. In fairness he has signatories would never have been in details with no comparatives or results children — schoolboys in particular — University, formerly King Alfred Teacher a different port every night, go to a club done some research into “the social a trauma room or surgery and could from other sports or activities. should take up Euro Tag or rugby Training College. I have to confess I had every night and have sex with people problem of collision trauma in contact make neither head nor tail of an MRI Please tell me that these people did until they are 18 completely misses the no idea what that title meant but I was . . . you don’t need to know their names”. sports” which we will come back to in a scan. Where are they drawing their not append their names on the basis point about what makes young boys intrigued enough to find out. It turned When asked, Professor Anderson moment, but I’d like to focus on the 70 experiences from? of a five-point programme that could tick. Contact is what they seek. There is out to be a little bit of a Pandora’s box admitted with a laugh that he is a sex- medical professionals and academics So if most of them wouldn’t have apply to a dozen other sports — activi- risk attached to all sport. There is merit I’m afraid. ual predator and — worst of all in the who put their name to the open letter. drawn their objections from first hand ties like cycling and trampolining carry in trying to tweak it and make it safer, Professor Anderson left California current climate of concern about child When I first heard that this letter was and personal medical experience, maybe proportionately heavier fatalities or but you can fiddle with every last single to come to Bath University, where he abuse — he as Professor of Sport claimed sent to all of the governmental agencies it was first-hand experience of playing serious injuries. Whose agenda is this? sport to make it safer. To sanitise any of stated that the university “practically that team sports are more damaging to and departments I was under the mis- or watching schools rugby? There are What is the motivation or real purpose these games is to take the essence com- ran me out of town because they couldn’t adolescents than sex. apprehension that these people were 28 signatures from people from North behind the letter? Is the protection of pletely out of them. I may respectfully stand my research”. The research that “The damage that’s caused by child engaged in the field of say neurology, America on the letter. What percentage schoolchildren really the core issue? suggest that this bullshit letter is not Anderson does is available on his wiki molestation is socially constructed by orthopaedics and trauma surgery. You of that group would have seen a rugby I listened to Anderson talking to Matt what this is all about. page and on the Winchester University the western world,” he said, and con- know, the people who have to deal with match live? A rugby match on TV?A Cooper on The Last Word — it seemed The next time a spurious letter like website where he currently resides. trasted this to other cultures where injuries on the other side of the equation. schools match? Anything? like the lads were lucky to get him, as it this appears in the public domain the It would seem that the Daily Mail, children engage in sex with adults as a Hard evidence from years of dealing What about Dr Kjell Eriksson, who was one of 20 interviews he had done media might just background check The Sunday Times, The Spectator and rite of passage. with youths who had been injured from is based at Malmo University. Malmo, that day — and he made the point that a few things before it is just casually a number of UK broadsheets as well Professor Anderson also gratuitously executing tackles while playing rugby the hotbed of Swedish rugby! For all I schoolchildren “were compelled to play accepted as fact or with foundation.

Make the game safer or parents won’t let their children play it CONNACHT TO LOSE MULDOWNEY

stant topic of debate, and the ever-in- such as courage, discipline and team- the aftermath of a loss, we’ve found essential for defenceless players prone JIM creasing physicality, at all levels, is of work, the reality is that parents have ourselves too frequently discussing on the ground. concern. begun holding their children back from officiating of late, arising directly from As the game gets more and more GLENNON The game has become dominated participating due to safety concerns, events in Stade de and Twicken- about collisions, its fundamental skill by physical collisions and the injuries primarily concussion-related. ham. The World Cup frustrated many as of creating space into which players arising as a consequence. Perception is As much as those operating at the a sharp increase in the frequency of TMO can attack with ball in hand has sadly HE lull in the rugby news cycle everything, and the general perception higher levels of administration may interventions and perceived soft penal- become something of a rarity. Action was dramatically filled last is that both the rate and the severity of forget at times, the sport at elite level ties signalled the intent of is required to create more space on CONNACHT are likely to lose lock Wednesday by the publication injuries have increased dramatically. remains entirely dependent on the to present a squeaky-clean image and the field of play. Experimenting with Aly Muldowney to Grenoble in the of an open letter signed by 70 Hits, as opposed to tackles, continue throughput of talent from the grassroots, TV product, with a view to the further 13-a-side, a suggestion not without merit, summer, it is understood. Coming T hard on the heels of ’s “sports scholars, academics, to increase in force, and the image of with a thriving club scene a necessity. growth of the sport’s global audience. has been mooted by some, while others doctors and public health professionals, players, several of them, being helped That foundation is already struggling What we’ve seen in Ireland’s recent favour a stricter policing of the offside decision to throw his lot in with who have become increasingly concerned from the pitch is all too familiar. Willie and any further decrease in participation games, with Guilhem Guirado, Yoann line, one of the game’s fundamental Leinster next season, it would leave a about the harms and risks of injuries to John McBride led his unbeaten 1974 rates could have drastic implications. Maestri and each escap- tenets. Changing the laws without hole in ’s side, given that both children playing schools rugby”, calling Lions to a series victory in , It’s something of a paradox that the ing sanction, makes it appear that the addressing the standard of officiating players are team leaders. for the removal “of the collision elements using only 17 players in four Tests on shop window for prospective partici- authorities’ autumn initiative has been and ultimately the protection of players Muldowney, who will be 33 in of the school game so that children play successive weekends at the end of a pants, and their parents, is a professional abandoned. would, however, be a mistake. August, signed for Connacht in 2013 touch and non-contact rugby”. 30-match, 15-week tour. The extent of game which, undoubtedly, bears little I’m not arguing for a sanitising of I’ve argued on a number of occasions from Exeter on a three year deal. Cue reaction, and the inevitable change has been such that this statistic resemblance to the sport as played across the sport, but reckless play, intentional that the game, at every level, is at a cross- Since then, he has become a go-to over-reaction. Most reasonable people could be from another planet. It’s cer- the country and around the world every or otherwise, must be punished. Dave roads. Ownership at professional level player for them, with 65 games would agree that full-contact rugby in tainly from a different game. week. Success in this shop window over Kearney’s tournament was ended, and and participation at the grassroots are to his credit, most recently the its traditional form is an inappropriate With weekly medical bulletins now a the past 15 years has been the catalyst for while some would press the case that well-established challenges; officiating win over in Murrayfield component of a compulsory physical ed- matter of routine, players, parents and a veritable explosion in playing numbers Mike Brown’s attempts to play the ball and the protection of players must now on Friday night. Connacht are the ucation curriculum. Indeed, I’d suggest the wider rugby public are all too well- at minis and youths level across this in that ruck were legal, be added to the list. only Irish side remaining in Europe, that most would be surprised to hear the versed in the terminology and implica- island, and happenings at that elite level reckless use of the boot at the breakdown Just how those in power, similar to and coincidentally will be away to sport is compulsory in some schools. tions of injuries. Concussion has become rapidly permeate through to the game’s shouldn’t be tolerated. We’ve become the Irish political classes at present, Grenoble in the quarter-finals of the Agreement on other issues raised in the the number one issue. No matter how foundations. acquainted with the duty of care to the navigate onwards from this junction Challenge Cup next month. letter will be more problematic. well and often the game’s proponents While nobody likes to crib about a player in possession, in the tackle or will have long-term implications for the — BRENDAN FANNING The sport’s evolution is now a con- assert the sport’s inculcation of values referee — or citing commissioner — in in the air; similar protection is equally sport’s future. 10 | SPORT | RUGBY/ Sunday Independent 8 November 2015 Sonny vignette lights up the world

the distinction between Islam and the Reformed character devout Christian values of Polynesians — either way it worked for Sonny Bill. sums up ’s No more fights, no more bad headlines, no more drunken brawls. He sense of brotherhood observed the Shahadat (conversion), began eating halal meat, and went to pray at the mosque every day after training. and mutual respect He observes Ramadan and when his team-mates are listening to Daft Punk on their headphones, he is quietly reciting the Koran standing in the corner. NEIL I find that when people, particularly Hollywood celebrities, find God, or find FRANCIS God again (wherever he went), or find a new obscure God or find L Ron Hubbard, it reinforces the notion that they are HE theme here is redemption pretentious cretins. Sports stars who of self. That embrace religion for the first or second (SBW) moment with the young time don’t really fare that well either in boy being given a World Cup the credibility stakes. When I see NFL Twinner’s medal fresh off the stars point to the when they score neck of a champion was as authentic a moment in the human spirit as the sporting world has seen. There is an emotional calm that When his follows all big sporting occasions, almost a release from the pressure of the previous hours. Very few sportsmen would have team-mates acted with the sort of thoughtful dignity and heroic virtue that SBW did after are listening to seeing a young boy being manhandled the way he was as he came forward to acknowledge and salute his heroes. It was Daft Punk, he is his generosity of spirit that illuminated the world. Handing the boy a coated piece of quietly reciting nickel was not what the moment was about. What elevated the instant was the selfless grace in the gesture. Hollywood, the Koran with all the very finest talent at its disposal, would struggle to recapture the fidelity of the exchange. a touchdown or kneel down in a group A moment like this though was a long prayer after the match and then go home way off as Sonny Bill Williams struggled and beat their wives, it is hard to take through an imperfect apprenticeship them seriously. Impossible in fact. and endured a corruption of self and his Sonny Bill seems to have embraced the undoubted talent. For many years we faith and genuinely transformed himself. doubted him. A grey character followed The other religion he has joined is the by shadows. We were never certain that All Blacks. Here there is a moral code, a the maturity displayed last Saturday sense of brotherhood and mutual respect would manifest. and all are equal. Khoder Nasser — yet another The competition just finished has Aussie of Lebanese extract — is the demonstrated how well the group has central character in this journey. In comported themselves on and off the every circus there is a ringmaster and field. They are a model group. Nobody, Nasser, essentially a promoter and it seems, goes off on a tangent and the impresario, managed to impress a young sense of the collective is all-pervasive — Williams enough to become his agent religious almost. and manager and so an extraordinary It has been the saving of Sonny Bill adventure began. Williams’ career is Williams. SBW has won two World Cups, erratic and at several stages it looked two Super XV championships, two NRL like it might crash-land into uncharted grand finals, numerous Tri Nations irrelevance along the way. Sporting titles and now he is set to contend for an history is littered with show ponies that Supporter Charlie Line receives Olympic Sevens title in Rio next summer. tripped up on their own self-importance. a winner’s I am now certain that these titles or In 2008, SBW signed a $2m deal with medal from Sonny Bill Williams medals, while gratifying, mean very little the Canterbury Bulldogs. A year into the in Twickenham last weekend. to him. The satisfaction, I suppose, is in deal, SBW hopped on a plane with Nasser Photo: Stephen McCarthy the journey and the memory. and met up with Mourad Boudjellal. A This story lies too with the comparison deal was done and suddenly SBW was at with the toxic (who also Toulon. ‘Breach of contract’, what does converted to Islam) and . We that mean? for drunk and disorderly behaviour, drink things in his time. Again the career a boxing career (sometimes you wonder tional departures in his life. Sonny Bill, in wait to see how Cooper comports himself The Australian NRL branded it as “the driving, urinating in public, fighting path was bizarre as he went to and left whether these guys ever think for 2008, converted to Islam, and a year later in Toulon. Demonstrating the mix of greatest act of treachery in the game”. in nightclubs, and even getting caught numerous clubs without themselves). Last week Cooper completed got his hands on him and insouciant brilliance and then next minute In a league where there is a scandal on camera with a model and athlete any rhyme or reason. Mundine even went the terms of a protracted and legally he became an All Black. the demeanour of an untipped waiter. every other week, that was really saying Candice Falzon in the toilets of a from rugby league to professional boxing divisive move away from to I am told that the teachings of Islam The kid, Charlie Line, could have been something. Canterbury put their former hotel. We are not sure whether it was with some success. The boxing here is a . . . well, everyone’s favourite club. Good state that life on earth is temporary named better by his parents (cocaine) player in the toaster: “His signature isn’t a compromising or uncompromising common theme. ol’ Mourad, he certainly knows how to and superficial. The afterlife is what it but maybe this won’t be his only great worth anything.” SBW’s reputation went position. At this stage in his career he Sure enough, Quade Cooper meanders pick them. Agents are the crabgrass on is about, and life on earth is almost an moment in life — we hope. For Sonny down the toilet. had become fractious and disagreeable into Nasser’s stable. Cooper’s antics the lawn of life and Nasser’s influence accumulation of good deeds and prayer. Bill, a signal quality and a moment of SBW’s career became a blur of and very unpopular wherever he played. need no further documentation in really cultivated controversy for these Material goods and wealth are of no reconciliation with himself. In the rugby contradictions as he changed, back- As the years rolled on, Nasser added this column. His surly and brusque three players as their career paths lurched consequence. Sonny Bill quit the booze fraternity we do seem to be superior tracked, moved on, walked in, and walked another couple of vinegar characters to behaviour in the Wallaby squad came from one unpredictable episode to the and immersed himself in the culture. He in our modesty and self-satisfaction out again. SBW got into so much trouble his stable. Anthony Mundine is a truly to an end when the influence of another next. became more altruistic and less focused — not this story though. This vignette that the newspaper editors didn’t know unlikeable character and a keyboard Australian of Lebanese origins came to SBW’s career could have continued on money and possessions. As a former refreshed the soul and, in truth, was a what page to put him on. He got booked terrorist who has said some outrageous bear. Cooper amazingly also attempted down that road but for two transforma- Christian, it probably was hard to draw great moment in sport.

Awards to honour year’s highest achievers THE NOMINEES...

for Ireland this year, taking three wick- resentative levels. Ireland were winners Joyce, Mooney and ets against in his first over of of the Under 15 and 17 European titles international cricket at Bready in June. and just missed out on the clean sweep, Kane’s selection for the senior side losing the Under 19 title on net -rate. Balbirnie nominated comes on the back of two impressive The Hanley Energy Inter-Provincial seasons for the in the Player of the Year Award will go to one for Men’s International Hanley Energy Inter-Provincial Series; of , Fintan McAllister or he was named Player of the Series for James Cameron-Dow with Malahide’s Player of the Year prize this year’s competition. McAllister also getting a nomination He was also a successful member in the O’Neill’s Club Player of the Year of the Ireland squad that qualified for along with James Hall (Waringstown), the ICC World T20, thanks to finishing James Shannon (), Scott HE nominations for the 2015 in the top five at the ICC World T20 Campbell (Coleraine), and Eddie Rich- ÷Hanley International Men’s Player Hanley Energy Qualifier held in Ireland in July. ardson (North County). of the Year: , John Mooney, Awards were announced last Kane has represented Ireland right The Oasis Coach of the Year award has . week, with Ed Joyce, John up through the age groups, including proved a competitive category with 11 ÷Toyota International Women’s T Player of the Year: , Mooney and Andrew Balbirnie representing Ireland at the 2012 Un- shortlisted following public nominations all in the running for the Hanley Energy der-19 World Cup in Australia. — Amy Kenealy, James Colhoun, Gareth , Lucy O’Reilly. Men’s International Player of the Year He has taken eight for Jenkins, Simon Johnston, Lynal Jansen, ÷Sunday Independent International Award. Ireland in his seven appearances to Michael Hingston, Rob O’Connor, Emerging Player of the Year: Tyrone Joyce scored 621 runs at 56.45 in the date, with a highest score of 26 not Deryck Vincent, Kevin O’Herlihy, Wayne Kane, . qualification period which runs from out with the bat. He is also one of Hughes and Craig Hogan. ÷Castleknock Hotel Junior Player October, 2014 to September, 2015. The the first graduates of the Shapporji After an extremely competitive and of the Year: Gary McClintock left-hander recorded Ireland’s highest Pallonji Cricket Ireland Academy, and exciting season in Irish club cricket, (Donemana), Jack Tector (YMCA), individual score with a brilliant 231 has moved into the senior programme five clubs have been shortlisted for the Varun Chopra (Coleraine). against the UAE in the InterContinental Gaby Lewis and : In the running for the Sunday Independent Emerging Player award having been awarded a Cricket Ireland Tildenet Club of the Year Award. ÷Hanley Energy Inter-Provincial Cup, and also made a Man of the central contract. IrishSeniorCupwinnersWaringstown Player of the Year: John Mooney Match 112 in the World Cup win over first international cricketer born this famous having represented Ireland on Meanwhile, there is a youthful look are joined by Armagh from the NCU (Leinster Lightning), James Cameron- Zimbabwe. millennium. At just 13 years and 166 121 occasions, and is regarded as one of to the nominations for the Toyota region, while National Cup winners Dow (Northern Knights), Fintan Mooney was Ireland’s leading - days old (born March 27, 2001), the Ireland’s best ever cricketers. He is also Women’s International Player of the Rush make the shortlist along with McAllister (Leinster Lightning). taker during the year — his haul of 31 YMCA player made her international a former international rugby referee Year Award. Teenagers Kim Garth and Malahide and YMCA from the Leinster ÷O’Neill’s Club Player of the Year: wickets at 23.13 putting him ahead of debut against South Africa in 2014. and a regular contributor to BBC’s Test Lucy O’Reilly make the shortlist along region. Eddie Richardson (North County), (29), Kevin O’Brien (27), She has gone on to become a regular Match Special. with the experienced Cecelia Joyce. The Three umpires have been nomi- James Hall (Waringstown), and (23). Mooney was the in the Ireland side which played in the Gaby Lewis is a member of the trio enjoyed strong seasons, particularly nated in the Notts Sport Official of James Shannon (Instonians), spearhead of the Irish attack during the ECB County Championships this year, Shapporji Pallonji Cricket Ireland in the three-match T20I series against the Year category, with Roland Black Fintan McAllister (Malahide), World Cup and also when they obtained and represented Ireland against world Academy, which aims to identify and world champions Australia. (NWCU), Paul Reynolds (LCU) and Scott Campbell (Coleraine). qualification for the 2016 ICC World champions Australia at YMCA’s Clare- support the most talented young male Ireland also competed strongly in Mark Hawthorne (NCU) in the running. ÷Oasis Coach of the Year: Amy Twenty20 in India. mont Road, her home ground, in three and female players in the country, and the ECB Division Two County Cham- In addition to the categories with Kenealy, James Colhoun, Gareth Balbirnie was the leading run scorer Twenty20 internationals in August. provide them with a bespoke world- pionship and Division One of the T20 nominations, there will be presentations Jenkins, Simon Johnston, Lynal in the period, hitting 631 at 37.12. His It was a good series for the teenager, class player development programme in competition. for Johnston, Mooney & O’Brien Jansen, Michael Hingston, Rob highest score of 129 came in the win who top-scored for Ireland in the third order to have the best possible chance Away from the national side there Volunteer of the Year, Shapoorji Pallonji O’Connor, Deryck Vincent, Kevin against New Zealand ‘A’, while he also match with an unbeaten 30, while she of success on the international stage. are plenty more prizes up for grabs, for Academy Player of the Year, Flogas O’Herlihy, Wayne Hughes, Craig Hogan. made half-centuries against South also scored 23 in the opening match. She will travel to Thailand with the playing and coaching, as well as club Outstanding Contribution to Irish ÷Notts Sport Official of the Year: Africa and Zimbabwe in the World Cup. Lewis is not the only player in her Ireland Women’s team at the end of the awards. Cricket and the Cricket Writers of Roland Black (NWCU), Paul Reynolds The Sunday Independent Aengus family to represent Ireland. Her sister, month for the ICC World T20 Qualifier, In youth cricket Gary McClintock, Ireland Hall of Fame induction. (LCU), Mark Hawthorne (NCU). Fanning International Emerging Player Robyn, is also a member of the Ireland when they will be hoping to qualify for Jack Tector, and Varun Chopra have The winners of all the awards will ÷Tildenet Club of the Year: of the Year Award will go to Tyrone Kane women’s squad and her grandfather Ian the ICC World T20 in India next year. been nominated for the Castleknock be announced tomorrow with the pres- Waringstown, Armagh, YMCA, or Gaby Lewis. Lewis also represented Ireland. But it is Tyrone Kane, the 21-year-old Merrion Hotel Junior Player of the Year after entations taking place at a function in Malahide, Rush. Lewis holds the record of being the her father, Alan, who would be the most all-rounder, made a sensational debut strong seasons at club and junior rep- on Friday. 10 | SPORT | RUGBY Sunday Independent 22 May 2016 No shortage of tough choices for Schmidt ahead of flight to South Africa

BRENDAN For now the issues are solely around line here: Jackson is staying with ; but his student is keen to work with the green. This will infuriate the Ulster recovery from concussion of Donnacha the tour, and they have been well docu- Madigan is leaving Leinster. The clear Wasps coach. For which of course he will faithful, but there is something about Ryan, who played 50 minutes for a Mun- FANNING mented, depending on what part of the policy from head office on this is that be better rewarded than had he stayed his game that Schmidt clearly thinks ster Development side against Ireland country is dispensing advice. So if you’re your chances of a green jersey will not at home. We’ll know soon enough next needs fixing. At least McCloskey’s team- under 20 three days ago. from Ulster you’ll have been jumping be helped by moving abroad for your season if his game benefits from the mate Stuart Olding will be back in the The shortage of bodies should also N Wednesday morning Joe up and down demanding the placing of club rugby. move, but with no pitch time for Leinster fold, which would provide comfort for open the door to who was Schmidt will be down to the final higher up the pecking The situation with Marty Moore is since the end of January, Moore is not Schmidt in leaving out Madigan, given involved in the World Cup warm-ups four weeks in what has been his order than . something similar. While Madigan is about to jump on a plane to South Africa. the Ulster man’s versatility. His twin set last August but was left behind when longest season in professional If you’re from Leinster your loyalty happy to be taking flight to France, Brace yourself, for neither is Garry of caps were picked up almost a year the squad was selected. In a group of Orugby. First he will announce the to Madigan may have been diluted by Moore’s head seemingly has been melted Ringrose. When before the Six Nations apart, between USA and Georgia, two tired bodies he will be doing his utmost circa 31/32 heading to South Africa next his decision to head to Bordeaux next about the shorter journey to Wasps. Big- Joe Schmidt started sending signals that seasons ago, so it’s good to see him back. to look fresh. month for the three-Test tour; thereafter season. And if you’re from that part of ger money for sure, but the tighthead’s the best prospect since Brian O’Driscoll It’s worth noting the esteem in which he will have just three more selection France then your wish would be that timing is not great: where two seasons needed a graduated entry to the next Olding is held by his Ulster team-mates. UNAVAILABLE PLAYERS meetings before closing his laptop and he doesn’t tour at all — and thereafter ago he was next in line behind Mike level, Test rugby in South Africa didn’t He desperately needs a free run from heading to New Zealand for a holiday. takes a break from international rugby Ross, now , Nathan White look like part of the plan. injury to spread that particular gospel. ÷ Backs: When he comes back from that break until his days at the club are over. There and are on the scene. And it still doesn’t. Rather, barring a With so many forwards out of the ÷ Forwards: , Nathan he can expect a call from performance is every chance he won’t get the call in Moore’s battle with finding the right calamity, he will be capped in November. frame because of injury, Schmidt’s White, Mike McCarthy, Seán O’Brien, director David Nucifora to see how much the first place. fighting weight has been ongoing. So Stuart McCloskey will also have to margins for selecting a decent pack are , Peter O’Mahony longer Schmidt will be staying in Ireland. For Schmidt, he will have to toe the has a project on his hands, wait until then at least to get back in a lot tighter. He got good news on the Now is the winter of our content Moving Six Nations start to April to suit SANZA nations would be a disaster and must be resisted

ganisation, I would wager, do not differ greatly from those that appeared in the NEIL BBC sitcom Yes Minister. My Favourite line says it all: “Under consideration FRANCIS means we have lost the file. Under active consideration means we are trying to find it.” (Bernard Woolley) HEN Steve Jobs went after In Westminster we are certain that the John Sculley, the then CEO bureaucracy runs the country. As for the of Pepsi, to try and get him administration of the game of rugby, I Wto join the fledgling Apple simply have no idea. The only thing I do Macintosh Corp, the words know is that the power plays are equally he used were as forceful and persuasive as Machiavellian. an argument as you could make. I think the election of “Do you want to sell sugared water is the signal for the biggest change in for the rest of your life or do you want World Rugby since the advent of profes- to come with me and change the world?” sionalism. The surest sign of this is that What a provocative treatise. How the candidature of Bill Beaumont went could you refuse? At what cost the op- forward unopposed — always a sign that portunity? a deal of some kind has been done. Beau- William Blackledge Beaumont is a mont is not by definition a compromise really likeable fellow. I have met him a candidate; he is there by agreement from couple of times, he is a big tin of Ronseal. all the mandarins — what’s coming is Everything you think you know about going to be highly unpopular. him is true. An affable man and rugby Eight years ago Beaumont was the gentleman. If they name a rugby cham- favourite for the top job but he lost pionship after you while you are still support from the Australian camp at the alive that is saying something. A stellar last minute — Sir Humphrey meddling playing career included a , in affairs. The ballot was split at 13-13 and he captained the Northern division and Bernard Lapasset, a compromise to victory over the All Blacks in 1979 — candidate, got in for two terms. except you never really hear about it all It is strange, is it not, that the north- the time. You would think that aged 64, ern hemisphere will have held the chair a four-year term as chairman of World in this organisation since 1994. Vernon Rugby would be one endless round of Pugh of Wales, Syd Millar of Ireland, junkets and first-class trips around the Bernard Lapasset of France and now Bill world. When you are the top of the food Beaumont of . That 26 years of Before we ask why we have to assess ern hemisphere. There is no question of ghastly month of January dreaming of the game — the watching and support- chain it is the Presidential Suite. It is hegemony is difficult to explain. Yes the where this brings us. Well they also need the same happening when Six Nations the start of the Six Nations. As a player, ing public — you are gone and you will First Class travel, the best seats at the Six Nations delegates can always out-vote to stretch out the domestic season so that sides tour in the southern hemisphere. it is the only show in town. As spectators, never recover. game, any game you want. the SANZA nations but the truth is that touring European teams in the southern SANZA don’t want their whether we travel or watch on television, The Global Rugby Calendar has Beaumont just isn’t the sort of guy all direction, all influence and all trends hemisphere tour in July instead of June. programme interfered with so they have it is practically irreplaceable, no matter always been an unwieldy programme. who on his inauguration will voice up come from south of the equator. They The French Cup final is on June 24, how stated that Six Nations teams only tour what sort of crap the matches throw up. We shiver in sub-zero at Christmas time, at the podium and say ‘come with me dominate the game on the field and they can you tour with half a squad? So that in July. To accommodate that the Six It works in its current form. they celebrate on the beach, that is the and change the world’ but that is exactly are the chief influencers off it. means you finish your season in July if Nations would have to be moved to April. They have meddled with the Heinek- way it has always been. If SANZA want what he is going to do. Bill Beaumont may be a worthy you area an international player. When So, 134 years of international rugby en Cup and look what has happened in to change the global calendar let them Despite lobbing as many grenades at chairman and a fantastic ambassador do you start up again? Well, the autumn tradition to be moved to accommodate a short space of time. If the people who change all of their fixtures and timings. World Rugby as often as I can, I do find for the game but any election of a leader series is being proposed for October. a club competition in the southern hem- purport to run the game make such a As for Beaumont, nobody questions that they are a well-meaning, relatively without blood on the floor never bodes Hold on, hold on, wait a minute. It isphere. fin- huge decision based on the whims of his bona fides or his guts. I sincerely hope honourable bunch of right-minded well. Sure enough we find out how the looks like the whole northern hemi- ishes before October and SANZA would the SANZA mandarins, they will make a his legacy is not a botched attempt to functionaries who are crucially though deal is done with the first publication of sphere season is being turned upside like the November internationals to be mistake they won’t recover from. If you change the global calendar. The number 1 always missing in action when the live his five-point manifesto. down. What is going on here? held in October. When is the off-season? disenfranchise the constituent parts of issue within our game is still concussion bullets start flying around. However, Points 2 to 5 are fillers, it is point 1, the We have witnessed governing bodies Where is the benefit for players when it and ironically for a player whose career given a choice between them and some global calendar, which makes you stand like ERC crumble at the slightest hint of comes to player welfare? Who is driving was ended back in 1982 by consecutive of the other sporting bodies, where the to attention. “I will address the challenge aggression or threat. A lot of these people this agenda? Why is this an ‘immediate Disenfranchise and serious concussions maybe Bill stench of corruption at governing level of the global calendar immediately on don’t have the stomach for the fight and challenge?’ How is it that at the first would have focused on that. completely overshadows the sport itself, taking office. World Rugby cannot be they capitulate and it seems that the best committee meeting at the end of the As for the five-point manifesto, we well I know who I’d choose. As we head silent on this matter. This complex and way for people with vested interests to year the global calendar is number 1 on the watching might refer back to Jim Hacker and into the last vestiges — we the rugby important issue must have a solution get their way is to bully and threaten. the agenda? Bernard Woolley. community can point, not with a whole designed to benefit the entire rugby Steve Tew, the CEO of New Zealand John Feehan has been quoted as say- Woolley: “Shall I file it?” heap of conviction, that there is honour community.” rugby, has already got his agenda across ing that the time slot for the Six Nations and supporting Hacker: “Shall you file it? No shred it!” and a moral code in our game. World This pretext is all done in conjunction to the wibbly wobbly wonders in the is ‘non-negotiable’. What are the bets Woolley: “Shred it?” Rugby through some of their decisions with a player welfare sound bite which northern hemisphere. The global calen- that it will be negotiated and in 2020 the public, and Hacker: “No one must be able to find and inactions chip away at that lofty is thrown into the pot at the same time. dar does not suit us so you guys change Six Nations will have been moved to an it again.” pillar of integrity which we hold close What is being mooted here? Well, they your entire season or we’ll throw the April time slot? Woolley: “In that case Minister I think . . . sort of! are looking to change the Six Nations toys out of the pram. Tew wants to prof- Me? I think rugby is a winter sport you are gone it’s best if I file it.” The internal machinations of the or- to April. That is a major step, is it not? it-share in the SANZA tours in the north- and most rugby people spend that No surrender. Sinckler muscles his way into England reckoning for underwhelmed Jones

PAUL to take some time out from the game. the front foot and he was not prepared incredible lines,” says the Harlequins of the trophy for nine years. However, added to the selection conundrum. The 23-year-old Sinckler, who took to be bullied. He is from a pretty tough . “He has worked although Jones lauded the achievement, Sinckler is the only one who has come REES up rugby in Battersea when he was eight background so rugby means a lot to hard this year with Adam Jones to get and the performances of his England out of left field. I haven’t seen anyone after being considered too aggressive for him. He loves a sport that helped him his scrummaging up to speed and he is Grand Slam winners, he believes rugby elevate their position massively from the football field, has shadowed the Wales get out of a difficult situation and he is good to have around the squad, a funny in the Six Nations is behind the southern where they have been. DDIE Jones has said ever since he and Lions tighthead Adam Jones at Quins a guy who could keep on developing. character who fits in with us well and I hemisphere in terms of skill. “If you look at the European Cup final became England’s head coach that this season, starting seven matches and He is athletically gifted: a tighthead am sure he will do with England. “Players get a lot of confidence from and Super Rugby, they are at different he needs to find players capable of making 20 appearances as a replacement. needs to be able to scrummage and they “He has got that added little bit up top winning big games,” he says. “Saracens ends in the spectrum of rugby. Last week’s challenging the current squad and He came off the bench in the recent need a competitive edge, which Sinckler where he wants to hurt people and he won all their games in Europe and that final was like a physical game of chess; Eforcing their way into the team, but European Challenge Cup final against certainly has when he carries the ball.” has the size to do it. He has the pace of a helps England. Some of the rugby I have everything was organised and planned his selection for June’s tour to Australia Montpellier in when his relish for Sinckler scored four tries for Quins back and the power of a front-rower, an seen over the last five or six weeks hasn’t and there was little unstructured rugby. will largely be made up of the tried and the physical battle against the side this season with two, against London explosive athlete. He showed how sharp he In fact, it was probably zero. Super Rugby tested after the last two months of the that contained a number of South Africans Irish and Exeter, from long range as he was with his try against Exeter when after is 90 per cent unstructured. The best club season left him underwhelmed. caught the England coach’s attention. showed a turn of speed not often seen 40 metres no one was catching him. If he sides are able to play both ways and that One uncapped player who impressed “Sinckler is the most interesting from a tighthead prop, never mind one gets a chance, he will not let anyone down.” ‘Super Rugby is what I am looking for. At the moment I Jones during last week’s training camp one for me,” says Jones. “There are who weighs more than 19st. He joined While Harlequins lost their European have to guess a lot about what players are in Brighton, which was not attended areas of his game he needs to improve Harlequins when he was 18 and has final, defeated 26-19 despite a valiant is 90 per cent capable of and I am hoping Henry Slade by players involved in the Premiership but he has competitive edges. He gave played for England at every age-grade effort, Saracens flew home with the (the Exeter No 10/12/13) comes through semi-finals, was the Harlequins prop Kyle Harlequins exactly what they needed from the under 16s. Champions Cup after beating Racing because he has got a bit of everything Sinckler, whose club colleague and fellow when he came on against Montpellier “You could not ask more from Kyle 92 comprehensively to become the unstructured’ once he gets his running game back.” front-rower, , will miss the trip having been bullied. He looked to get on as a ball-carrier and he hits some first English club to take possession Observer