Hi, folks. Though I haven't had much to say of late, I follow the forum virtually every day and yesterday sat down eagerly to watch Tigers-Saints.
I got caught up in the game, and didn't dwell too much on the incident, but it was bothering the back of my mind. I actually thought it would have been smart to replace Manu in the 2nd half. It would have been the right thing to do ethically, I think, and probably the safe thing competitively, since possible ill effects in the 2nd half abounded: referee reaction, Saints' intensity, Manu playing self-consciously, a 2nd yellow, etc. None of that happened, but at the half I worried about the possibilities.
After the game, I felt really lousy. I felt that a great Tigers win--the team was superb at a level it hasn't been for a long time--was somehow tainted by a really nasty moment from a young man I had previously seen as a shining example of young talent and intelligence on the pitch. I mean, it wasn't one punch. It was THREE PUNCHES! Really nasty ones. And not in closed quarters at the bottom of a ruck, but out in the open, directed repeatedly at a retreating opponent.
I dunno--those images stick with me. They taint my view of Manu, displacing the heretofore feel-good story of the Leicester community rallying to extend the lads visa and all the rest. For me, Manu will have some work to do to leave those images in the past. I believe he needs to make a major statement of contrition to the rugby world, to Saints and to a guy who would otherwise be likely to be his England teammate. He needs to demonstrate clearly that he gets it--such an act is unacceptable.
So anyway, I logged in after the game to see what the reaction was in Tiger Nation. And then it got worse. I started reading about Cockerill.
I honestly feel that Cockerill's actions reflect worse on Tigers as a club than did Manu's punches. Manu is 19 and he was playing in a tough game, and what might prove to be a one-off incident can be understood.
But Cockerill's actions were performed by a man in his 40s (?) who has been through the rugby wars hundreds of times and who is recognized as the leader of the club.
Now, before I get too sanctimonious, I need to acknowledge that I have suffered from temper in my day. I have some bad moments on my conscience of having berated officials. I have had to realize that I don't do well in certain situations.
But then, I think that's the point. I don't ask Cockerill to become a different person, one who can push all the messy passion inside during a big rugby match.
I do ask him to look at himself and draw 2 conclusions:
- What I did was not acceptable. No matter what the referees were up to. I need to state this clearly and unequivocally.
I need to take steps to prevent this from happening. If that means I need to coach from some isolated vantage point, then that's what I need to do.
Unfortunately, I am not sure that Cockerill sees things this way. According to press reports, he seemed very reluctant to take any responsibility for his actions. And if he doesn't see the need to make changes, they are not going to happen.
Well, I dunno. I'm a Yank who watches from afar and did not grow up in the game. Much of the code of rugby confuses me. What do I know?
But I'll tell you what. As a guy who became a far-off fan late in life, I have always admired the camaraderie of the game. The way lovers of the sport--players and fans--could so rapidly transcend the result and mutually affirm the sport itself. You folks know this infinitely better than I do, but there is a special kind of common bond that normally and impressively transcends partisan divisiveness in the game. I have always appreciated expressions of that.
In this instance, I feel that Manu and Cockerill have let the side--the side of ruggers and their fans--down. Fairly seriously. I feel lousy about it.
Of course, I will be living and dying with next week's game against Sarries. I yearn for the rest of the Tigers who played so well yesterday to bring the trophy home after a year of enormous adversity.
But as a Tigers fan, I don't think I can come to that game with a clean heart until I state in unambiguous terms that neither Manu's nor Cockerill's actions are acceptable and that they taint the team's achievement.
I hope both of these men realize that they need to break cleanly with that past as well.
As I say, I'm just a Yank and I have my own sins to worry about. I look forward to Tigers and their fans slowly living this incident down and continuing to uphold the banner of rugby excellence. If Harlequins could live down Blood-gate, I figure we'll get past this.
Just a Yankee looker-on from afar.
