http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/harlequins/8191371.stm
Over the years we have seen much dirty play, and indeed dirty tactics, in the game of rugby. This has, unfortunately, marred its very honest and gentlemanly approach to the game.
Either today or tomorrow, we will find out the future of, in particular, Tom Williams who currently faces a 12-month ban for his part of the fake blood debacle in the Heineken Cup quarter-final against Leinster.
I personally cannot believe that this could happen to the young, and potential England star, player. Yes – he did play a critical part in the scandal, but how much of the idea do you think was his? If your coach (or one of the senior coaching staff), in the most crucial match the club has ever played in, tells you to fake an injury in order to get your specialist kicker back on the field, it’s unlikely you’re going to say no.
Let us not forget these are tactics. Dirty tactics, yes – but tactics nevertheless. Therefore, regardless of the fact that Harlequins did ultimately lose the game, no one was actually hurt.
The same cannot be said, however, for a certain Schalk Burger who deemed it acceptable to gouge the eyes of Luke Fitzgerald.
And before you think I’m being biased against a South African – I am half South African myself. Schalk’s actions could have blinded a player, which is certainly something I’d consider worse than using slightly dirty tactics to win a game. Yet the Port Elizabeth-born flanker only received a ban of 8 weeks(!) – less than a fifth of what Williams could receive.
This problem needs to be resolved with the men behind the scenes. The typical ban for eye-gouging is significantly higher so how Schalk got away so lightly is unfathomable.
I’m looking forward to the result of the trial, however the cynic in me says that Williams won’t be lucky, and I tend to listen to my cynical side.
