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'Gutted': Harlequins finally react to Mike Brown's season-ending ban and whether they might appeal
Harlequins have given their first reaction to the six-match ban that has ended the long career of Newcastle-bound Mike Brown at the London club following his red card for stamping on Wasps’ Tommy Taylor last Sunday. Brown’s foul play was deemed to be a top-end offence by an RFU independent disciplinary panel which resulted in a twelve-week entry point before the eventual punishment was halved when the maximum mitigation of 50 per cent was applied to the sanction.
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With Harlequins only having a potential six matches remaining in their Gallagher Premiership campaign, four regulation season fixtures plus scope for two potential playoff games, it means that the career of Brown is over at a club where he made his debut in an October 2005 Championship clash with Doncaster.
He has been given time away from the training ground to absorb the ramifications of this premature finish to his Harlequins stay and the club are still awaiting the arrival of the full written judgment to see if there are any grounds to launch an appeal.
It was Wednesday morning when confirmation of the hefty Brown ban emerged and it was Thursday afternoon when Harlequins general manager Billy Millard fronted the media to reflect on what has happened to the 35-year-old who was hoping for a title-winning send-off at Twickenham next month prior to commencing his two-year deal at Newcastle.
“I’m not going to get into that,” said Millard when asked about the fairness or otherwise of the six-game ban. “It is what it is. We’re gutted for Mike and we’ll just move on… we are waiting for the written statement to come in and the club will make a decision (about an appeal) from there. The club will have a look at it and make a statement shortly after.
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“I wasn’t involved in the (hearing) process directly. The way the system is set up there was going to be something there [a suspension], but when it finished we just let it go and we had some people meet with him and his family today [Thursday] and we’ll get more in-depth as we go. He would have been extremely disappointed and he is processing it.
“He is processing it in his own mind with his family and his close circle. He wears his heart on his sleeve and gives everything. It’s not going to be easy for him but there is a lot of good people around him. He just needs some space at the moment… he’s just processing it in his own time.”
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Andy Sanger, the ex-solider who is the Harlequins player development and welfare manager, has been leading the club support for Brown. “He does a lot of work with all the players and partners and families and he is probably the point of contact, as well as his close mates in the group.
“All the staff and players have been in touch but Andy Sanger would be the one at the moment who is sort of leading that support,” explained Millard when quizzed on how the Londoners were rallying around their player in a week when mental health is a hot topic in English rugby with Quins prop Joe Marler even doing a show on the subject.
“How good was Joe’s show! We absolutely loved that and he is a big beacon in this building for it and everyone follows, but Andy is incredible. That wellness place is strong. You can always do it better but we take it very seriously and put a lot of time and energy into it with our medical staff and through the players association, so it is very important.”
Brown’s red card took place in a match that Harlequins bounced back to win with a buzzer-beating converted try from Marcus Smith, an outcome that led to contrasting dressing room emotions post-game.
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“We just got around him [Brown] and let the process take care of itself. Obviously, there were a lot of bum taps and hugs but it was more about celebrating the emotion of the win and letting the staff members start that process and dealing with where we were going to go,” said Millard, who has been at the London club for three years.
“I didn’t know Mike before I joined here, it was just what we all see. There is not one (standout) moment – he is consistent, he is hard out, he is self-driven with performance during the week to get his body right and every weekend he brings it, it’s incredible and it’s just repeat, repeat, repeat.
“You always know what you are going to get with him and it’s that competitive professional beast that will always pitch for the boys on the weekend. I guess that’s the biggest takeaway I have got from him.”
Brown’s enforced absence will now leave Harlequins with a huge void to fill but Millard sounded optimistic they have the resources to cover the vacancy in the coming weeks with the title stakes rising.
“We’re confident that we have got two of three guys who are going to fill that void and do well but I guess the experience and the mantle he holds amongst the group and other clubs and Mike being Mike, the training week, the way he prepares himself, we’ll miss his energy and his professionalism around the place but we are very confident we have got some really good depth there to finish the season well.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
Quite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
10 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
2 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
10 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
10 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
10 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
10 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
10 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
10 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
10 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
10 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to comments