http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...e-talks-the-talk/story-fnc2d2yx-1226286628733
well said drew, well said....
LETS get this clear at the outset, sledging is part of sport.
It is something that every rugby player has been involved in, whether it be giving some out or being on the receiving end. Mostly it’s both.
It might be verbal, it sometimes gets physical.
It happens in every game, and it happened for the 79 minutes prior to Tom Carter’s interaction with Digby Ioane in last weekend’s Queensland game.
Why Tom has been singled out and hammered all week is beyond me.
I am of the opinion that if something happens on the field in terms of sledging, it should stay out there.
It was unfortunate the comments about Tom were even brought up and turned into headlines in the first place.
But it was even more disappointing to see and hear some of the views expressed in sections of the media this week.
Some experts – including ex-players who should understand what goes on in games – have taken it to an unnecessarily personal level.
Instead of sticking to footy, some have questioned Tom’s character without knowing the guy and that’s pretty ordinary form.
Sure, Tom is the type of player who does get under people’s skin. He’s done it successfully to me in Super Rugby and club games.
When I came to the Waratahs, however, I finally got to know him and got to see there is a hell of a lot of value in having him on your team.
Tom is a passionate guy who is able to promote an emotional response from someone on the field. It distracts them from what they should be thinking about in the game.
They’re focused on how they can sledge back or put a hit on, and not what they’re supposed to be doing at the point in time.
That’s the way Tommy plays. And don’t for one minute think he’s the first to do it.
George Gregan was a master sledger. Willy Genia is a guy who always has a sharp line or two.
That’s not to say Tom Carter is, as some have alleged, just a bigmouth with limited talent.
Not only is he an invaluable team man around the Waratahs who always keeps enthusiasm and spirit high, he’s a very strong footballer.
Take a look at last year’s stats for Australian centres and tell me who outperformed Tom Carter.
Here’s just some of the categories he topped in that spot during the 2011 season: tries, runs, metres gained, linebreaks, tackle busts and tackles made.
He missed half as many tackles as the player with the second-highest tackle tally.
And that doesn’t even factor workrate, like his kick-chases or repeat efforts.
Tom doesn’t get the attention or plaudits other players get but he certainly deserves them.
When you are playing against him, you love to hate him.
But when you are playing with him, you know his true value to the group. And you wouldn’t change a single thing.