Debate over Crusaders name change is example of opportunistic political correctness gone mad
It was good to watch Crusaders get back to doing what it does best this weekend, playing rugby. They might not have done it particularly well, their defence all over the place in the early part of the 12-20 loss, but their visibility out on a pitch would still have been nourishment for the soul at the end of a difficult week for their community.
It was convenient they were scheduled to play across the ditch at the Waratahs. The Sydney side were ironically Crusaders’ first opponents when the club got back to playing following the devastating Christchurch earthquake some years ago.
Now, here were the Australians again, standing in solidarity with their Kiwi brothers at another sad time, the grieving franchise getting back to work and valiantly attempting to restore some sense of normality to their lives.
There was a processional walk out onto the pitch, a combined two-team huddle, a perfectly observed minute’s silence along with the wearing of eye-catching armbands that touchingly said ‘United 15-3-19’.
The runaround in the Sydney rain was welcome. The last thing Christchurch would have needed was a rugby match going on at home at a time when its city’s population is respectfully working its way through the series of funerals for the 50 people tragically killed in the terror attack on two mosques.
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Best leave playing that first game until April 6 when they host Brumbies. By then three weeks will have passed and a more informed sense of perspective can be applied to the sport and its influence on the city.
It has been curious how the club’s name was hijacked so quickly in the aftermath of the March 15 shootings. The focus in the sorrowful aftermath should have been fully on the tragedy that had just occurred, honouring the life stories of the wonderful people who had perished and caring for those still alive but with injuries that need healing.cHow sport got dragged into this arena didn’t make sense.
When he joined last October, CEO Colin Mansbridge could never have envisaged a situation where he would have confront calls for the club to change its name. When he arrived in from his previous post as BNZ’s head of agri-business to replace Hamish Riach, who had been in the role for 17 years, he was spot on describing Crusaders as the “gold standard for professional rugby clubs in the world”. The Crusaders’ reputation for excellence truly knows no bounds.
So was just told by @SCGTrustMedia @scg to take down our banners of support for the victims of the CHCH Attack by SCG security.
Sometimes somethings are bigger than a game, this was one and you got it wrong @scg#WARvCRU #SuperRugby pic.twitter.com/wBZVYnLOHi— AllBlacks Supporters (@ABSCSydney) March 23, 2019
Five months later, though, he was now having to address sudden criticism of a name that had served them so well and existed uncriticised ever since the game turned pro over 20 years ago. To give Mansbridge his due, he handled his response professionally.
He showed empathy. “This is a conversation that we should have.” But he also showed leadership. “We also believe that the time for that is not right now.” With emotions raw and real, this was no issue for a knee-jerk reaction. There will be a more appropriate time in the weeks and months ahead.
Whenever that discussion does take place the fact of the matter must be that Crusaders, as a rugby club, have been promoting nothing but a positive message since their inception. They are a reflection of a crusade for peace, for unity, for inclusiveness, for community spirit. These are rugby ideals shared the world over by clubs everywhere. It’s just rugby. Nothing else.
When the time comes to talk, Crusaders’ administrators should take their lead from Jacinda Ardern, the New Zealand Prime Minister who has been an ambassadorial beacon since the tragedy broke. What has especially stood out is her refusal to mention the name of the perpetrator of these horrific crimes.
In doing so, she has robbed him of the notoriety he would have hoped to have gained, denied him the recognition he would have felt his name would have received on foot of his abhorrent acts. He has been rendered anonymous in the fall-out, which is why the ongoing debate about whether Crusaders should change their name is flawed.
If a name change were to happen, the murderer will have won. He will have forced the world’s most successful professional rugby club into an alteration that will always be traced back to these terrible events of March 15.
The score will hurt the Crusaders, but the defining image of the game was this show of the #rugbyfamily before kick-off
? Karen Watson pic.twitter.com/F5PxsR2fwt— Jamie Pandaram (@JamiePandaram) March 23, 2019
He will be given the oxygen he craves. That shouldn’t be allowed to happen. Instead, he should be left to rot in anonymity and the Crusaders judiciously allowed to keep going about their rugby business in the way they have always done.
There are already plenty of reasons for people not to go and watch the club when it plays at home. The usual 7.35pm kick-off doesn’t appeal to families, the TV experience offers much much insight and the stadium in Addington is thrown together with scaffolding. Hardly the most comfortable night out in the depths of winter.
Providing another excuse not to go – changing the club’s name and stealing an identity that gives it its global respect – appears an unnecessary step too far.
If the logic of those who feel a name change is warranted, then the NZRU should be looking at getting rid of the Highlanders, getting rid of the Chiefs and getting them to also change due to the historical connotations of their names.
The RFU should request Saracens in England to call themselves something else. Heck, perhaps even the Christchurch politicians should propose changing the name of their city as it isn’t reflective of other religions in the area.
This debate over the Crusaders name change has been a red herring this past week, an example of opportunistic political correctness gone mad.
Rugby should never have got all tangled up in fall-out from the terror attack. But we’re here now and hopefully common sense will hold sway whenever these conversations with a range of people, including the Muslim community in the Christchurch region, take place.
Scott Rob: "We were really desperate to play well and represent our people and show how much we care. You could see how hard we worked but we dropped enough ball for the whole season, that’s out of our system now. It was a tough week but we’re Crusaders, we don’t make excuses"
— Tom Decent (@tomdecent) March 23, 2019
Comments on RugbyPass
Interesting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
12 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
15 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
12 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
12 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
15 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
12 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
2 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to comments