World Rugby’s intervention in Joe Marler’s recent disciplinary hearings is part of clear new trend in international rugby. The Harlequins Loose-Head was not disciplined during England’s clash against Wales for his ‘‘gypsy boy’’ comment directed at Wales Tight-Head Samson Lee. Neither referee Craig Joubert nor TMO Ben Skeen deemed the incident a punishable offence. Despite this the 6 Nations committee deliberated on the incident for four days following the match before delivering their verdict, no hearing, no ban, simply a verbal warning.
World Rugby quickly responded, “World Rugby is of the view that the comments amount to misconduct and/or a breach of the code of conduct under Regulation 20 and should have been considered by an independent process...”, the statement continued to read, “In the absence of such a process by Six Nations Rugby, World Rugby is exercising its right to take appropriate action before an independent judicial committee.”
World Rugby’s response, as they argue, is in light of a failure on the part of the 6 Nations committee to hold the player to an independent hearing. Their concerns are valid and a hearing is warranted, but this case is not necessarily World Rugby taking a stand against abuse, it is World Rugby taking note of the public’s opinion. The question remains as to whether there would have been any repercussions for Marler had his comments not been picked up by the referee's microphone.
Over the last number of years World Rugby has adopted a clear focus for the professional and particularly international game. This approach has been intent on widening the sports fan base through creating a faster and more exciting game. World Rugby is keen to make the spectators central to this process.
At Rugby World Cup 2015 players were warned that diving would be a sin-bin offence for the duration of the tournament. John Jeffrey, Chairman of the World Rugby match officials selection committee, also highlighted appealing to the referee as an example of the undesirable behaviour World Rugby sought to eliminate from the sport’s showpiece event. The logic was simple, present rugby as well as possible while the world watches, when they turn their backs again the rules too can slacken.
The issue of Marler’s disciplinary proceedings is another example of World Rugby dealing with an issue that threatens to damage the sports wider image rather than seeking to fix the sport itself. If World Rugby is serious about dealing with verbal abuse within the sport than Marler should be banned and a precedent should be set and kept at all levels of the game.
The RBS 6 Nations also brought further problems with World Rugby’s intense committed to the image of the sport. As part of a wider censorship initiative Sam Warburton’s concussion against England wasn’t shown in Television replays.
The solution isn’t not showing these injuries, or reprimanding one player or punishing certain acts more harshly when the viewership increases. Rugby has an image problem and it cannot be ignored, but the focus should return to fixing the problems and not simply how the public will react to World Rugby’s acts. The 6 Nations committee excusing of Marler's words due to the incident taking place ''...in the heat of the moment...'' is a ridiculous excuse which could be applied to almost any incident that occurs in the sport. The answer to verbal abuse isn't playing to the public, the answer to concussion isn't blocking it from the public and the answer to appealing or diving isn't heightening the punishment when spectators increase. World Rugby needs to take note and fix the problems properly, not just wherever the public spikes up.
