Ball-tampering scandal a reminder of the importance of values and standards

Sports in Australia have been given a reminder about living the values and standards they proudly proclaim.

Australian rugby, indeed every Australian sport that doesn’t call itself cricket, has been given a free, if priceless, reminder by the sad events in South Africa about living the values and standards they ­proclaim.

Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft have felt the full measure of Australia’s rage and overnight have become changed men.

Whether for better or worse, only time will tell. But now that the red haze of wanting to win by any means possible has lifted, what remains hopefully is their true and overwhelmingly admirable selves. As Warner’s brother might have put it, they don’t need to remain escape goats forever. There will be a time to bring them back into the main herd. Hopefully soon.

But all sports should take heed of the morality play being acted out in front of them. Commonwealth Games athletes especially should take notice. You don’t get much time in the spotlight. Make sure it’s an enjoyable experience.

Although there will be rare eruptions like “Sandpapergate”, mostly a sport’s culture is worn down by slow erosion. Someone forgot to ask: “Is this right?”

Cricket could hardly have had a more comprehensive manual of how to behave than the 2011 Argus Report by former BHP Billiton chairman Don Argus and supported by three former Australian captains in Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Mark Taylor and former International Cricket Council CEO Malcolm Speed.

Yet the first line of that report reads: “Cricket Australia’s vision is for cricket to be Australia’s favourite sport.” How laughable that now sounds. And from the introduction onwards, the report comes across not as a blueprint for success but as a reminder of all those areas where Cricket Australia has failed.

All those carefully weighted recommendations, high-minded statements about repairing the flawed culture … all in ruins. As former coach Mickey ­Arthur observed, the behaviour of the Australian team in recent years has become, and has been seen to become, boorish and arrogant.

If rugby is wise, it will heed the message: pious mission statements on a website are important, but far more important are how those values are lived.

When I asked Rugby Australia for its mission statement I was referred to its strategic plan for 2016-20. The plan is built on four key areas: 1. Make rugby a game for all; 2. Ignite Australia’s passion for the game; 3. Build sustainable success in the professional game; and 4. Create excellence in how the game is run.

All very worthy. But there is a difference between the growth of the game and the health of the game. Things like “the spirit of rugby” or of playing it in a manner to bring pride to all Australians receive only scant mention. High ­falutin sentiments, I grant you, but curiously when Australians were asked what most disappointed them about “Sandpapergate”, it was to terms such as these that they fell back on.

From the Wallabies down, it means accepting the referee’s decision. I know how difficult this can be and I’ve already related how my wife has issued red and yellow cards to my colleagues in the press box for those occasions when I lose it. But ultimately no one wins by complaining about match officials.

Rugby is not a sport given to turning the other cheek. It’s not merely a contact sport. It’s a combat sport, based on physical dominance, and it’s inevitable some countries will attempt to exploit Australia’s temporary cricket-induced hesitancy while it is trying to work out how to introduce more fairness into the “hard but fair” mantra.

It’s no easy task to master, remaining humble while attempting to physically dominate a rival, but it is one that has to be mastered.

The day before he resigned, Australia cricket coach Darren Lehmann suggested his players look to New Zealand for an example of how to conduct themselves. Australia are already doing that in rugby, although there are signs the All Blacks themselves are succumbing to hubris, no matter how many dressing rooms they sweep out. But, if not NZ, then Ireland, who seem to have taken their rise to world No 2 in their stride.

One of the more inspiring pieces of writing to come out of the cricket crisis was the PlayersVoice article by Mike Hussey in which he says few people could remember how many Test wickets Jason Gillespie has taken but everyone could recall the great dignity with which he played the game.

That same sentiment applies to almost all Wallabies. The John Thornetts, John Ealeses and ­Andrew Slacks of the world have done nothing but bring credit to themselves, their families and to the code. But we’re also all familiar with those occasions when Australian rugby has been prepared to cut corners, sacrificing character for footballing talent. Mostly, it does little harm but on rare occasions, when character becomes all important, the results for Australia have been catastrophic.

Taking the high moral ground comes at a cost. Setting up human beings to be role models can be a hazardous affair and I’m not advocating populating the Wallabies with shrinking violets. But there are expectations that come with wearing your country’s colours, expectations that go beyond merely being good at rugby.

Too often, officials quietly look the other way whenever a player of dubious character is selected for Australia. If they think about it, they might offer up a prayer that he will be influenced by the wholesome environment he is entering.

But influences work both ways. Bad to good. Good to bad. And let’s not forget, we’re dealing here with young men. Bancroft admitted at his press conference that his actions did not accord with his values and I believe him. Sometimes in the heat of battle, young men lose perspective. That’s where they need an unyielding framework around them to guide them.

It’s why Queensland want nothing more to do with Karmichael Hunt. Would the Reds be a more complete rugby team if they allowed him to play? Undoubtedly. But coach Brad Thorn is playing the long game and he recognises that if Queensland are ever to win back the respect and love of their fans, then it all starts with culture.

Dave Wessels is saying the same thing about the Rebels. So, too, Brumbies coach Dan McKellar and Waratahs boss Daryl Gibson.

Words are important but they are worthless if the values they ­espouse are not lived.