Clive Bibby: In defence of Ardie Savea

So, after all that, Ardie gets a one match suspension and is told he is a naughty boy. “Better not do it again - or else!”

 If ever there was an action that has brought the game into disrepute - it is the farcical citing of the great player in the first place. But, unfortunately it is a sign of the times. 

We have sold our sporting soul to those who believe in fairies at the bottom of the garden.

I can’t think of a more ridiculous example of how Woke we have become when one of the Rugby sport’s most revered practitioners is in danger of being temporarily banished from the game because of a “heat of the moment” gesture.

Not only has this apparent lapse in an otherwise exemplary good conduct record been allowed to progress to the game’s judiciary for consideration, Savea had quickly apologised for his actions which have been seen by most as just an inconsequential part of the game.

In an act of contrition immediately after the original fracas, Ardie stressed he had always strived to be an example to all those (especially our young people) who are watching the physical encounters that are part of the confrontational environment and the reason why it is viewed by millions throughout the world.

In more rational times and in a society that is comfortable in its own skin, Savea’s “indiscretion” should have been accepted alongside other animated gestures that are part of the All Black’s culture considered by most to be perfectly harmless and an integral part of this international sport.

How many times have we watched the All Black Haka and been inspired by similar “throat slitting” gestures delivered with robust commitment by some of our most senior players  - Haka leader Perinara being the most obvious “sinner”.

Yet we are led to believe that the game has an obligation to stamp out these “warrior” like offensive features that will negatively impact the fertile innocent minds we need to protect.

We must ask - what sort of society have we become when a nation is forbidden to determine for itself what is acceptable behaviour within the boundaries of rules that will enhance the game rather than lead to its downfall.

It is after all simply a game and it should be remembered that the most watched sports are those that are able to generate the excitement which is a welcome detraction from the daily grind and drudgery of the working week or the horrors of encounters of a different kind.

Sport is arguably the most important ingredient for determining who we are as the world’s most advanced and dominant species

Team games like rugby offer the opportunity for humans of all shapes and sizes, intellectual capacity and standing on the social ladder to participate at the highest level. From New Zealand’s perspective, it has often proven to be the one thing we are consistently better than other countries competing on the world stage.

As a consequence, we should do everything possible to protect our version of the game from those who are destroying our ability to save us from ourselves.

While this incident is ironically indicative of the threat to our own way of life, it also should be used to highlight what we are becoming without a drastic resetting of our modus operandi.

The choice is ours . 

Clive Bibby is a commentator, consultant, farmer and community leader, who lives in Tolaga Bay.