Re: Ben Westwood : Tue Oct 08, 2013 1:11 pm  

I've always thought that any bans should be served on "competative" games, be that at Internation, Origin or Club level. If you're banning him from playing for England, you're denying him the opportunity to represent his Country, which is something he should be proud of and want to do. Denying him the opportunity to do so is his punishment.

I don't think friendlies should be included though for exactly the reason roofaldo mentioned. Lets say one of our players copped a 5 game ban, what's to stop us setting 5 pre-season friendlies to make sure he's back available for SL Round 1?

[Bullseye]

Re: Ben Westwood : Tue Oct 08, 2013 1:18 pm  

Pumpetypump wrote:

I always thought 'bringing back the biff' meant standing toe to toe in the heat of battle exchanging punches. There's also a place for niggle I reckon, rubbing the face etc, but what I don't think we want is punches coming in to someone who can't defend themselves. That isn't biff, its thuggery.

You need a bit of thuggery to spark the punch ups whether that be a sly dig or a playful slap

That said I think pre meditated high tackles/elbows to the head are a step too far and am glad they're mostly gone.

Re: Ben Westwood : Tue Oct 08, 2013 1:37 pm  

Pumpetypump wrote:

I've read and reread this a few times and still can't work out if you are being serious. Now I admit my career was rather short but no one punched me in the face, cutting my cheek and closing my eye with quite the same panache as Benny.

Above my shoulders I have had c10 stitches in my forehead, ear nearly removed twice, nose broken twice, about 12 teeth broken/repaired/filled/capped, numerous black eyes, cuts & gashes. Some were accidents, some deliberate. There are lasting physical scars, most have healed & I managed to retain my good looks & boyish charm. Not one of them was by going toe to toe. I am amazed anyone who played amateur or pre-videoing of pro rugby (unless you were a winger) was much different.

Re: Ben Westwood : Tue Oct 08, 2013 1:40 pm  

The amazing thing was that Westwood thought, correctly as it turned out, that he could get away with it during the game.

If he'd done that 20 years ago at least he would have known that he'd be getting it back with interest.

[Bulliac]

Re: Ben Westwood : Tue Oct 08, 2013 2:25 pm  

SombreroBu11 wrote:

I've always thought that any bans should be served on "competative" games, be that at Internation, Origin or Club level. If you're banning him from playing for England, you're denying him the opportunity to represent his Country, which is something he should be proud of and want to do. Denying him the opportunity to do so is his punishment.

I don't think friendlies should be included though for exactly the reason roofaldo mentioned. Lets say one of our players copped a 5 game ban, what's to stop us setting 5 pre-season friendlies to make sure he's back available for SL Round 1?

We had that situation recently with Elliott Whitehead, didn't we? IIRC we were only allowed to let a couple of the friendlies count against the ban. It did all seem a bit arbitrary though..

Re: Ben Westwood : Tue Oct 08, 2013 2:27 pm  

Cibaman wrote:

The amazing thing was that Westwood thought, correctly as it turned out, that he could get away with it during the game.

If he'd done that 20 years ago at least he would have known that he'd be getting it back with interest.

That is the problem with living in a time of record low "interest" rates - if it gets any worse players will have to punch themselves

[Pumpetypump]

Re: Ben Westwood : Tue Oct 08, 2013 2:28 pm  

tigertot wrote:

Above my shoulders I have had c10 stitches in my forehead, ear nearly removed twice, nose broken twice, about 12 teeth broken/repaired/filled/capped, numerous black eyes, cuts & gashes. Some were accidents, some deliberate. There are lasting physical scars, most have healed & I managed to retain my good looks & boyish charm. Not one of them was by going toe to toe. I am amazed anyone who played amateur or pre-videoing of pro rugby (unless you were a winger) was much different.

Not only retaining your boyish charm but your self-effacing demeanour too.

Its apples and pears though isn't it. You can't compare amateur rugby with professional sport anymore than you can liken acceptable conduct in local football to the premier league.

Re: Ben Westwood : Tue Oct 08, 2013 3:43 pm  

Pumpetypump wrote:

Not only retaining your boyish charm but your self-effacing demeanour too.

Its apples and pears though isn't it. You can't compare amateur rugby with professional sport anymore than you can liken acceptable conduct in local football to the premier league.

I'm not comparing amateur & pro now, I've not watched amateur for many a year so cannot comment. What I am attempting is to show what was once part of the game is now reacted to with hysteria in some quarters. I accept that part of it is down to the ludicrous over the top reporting & commenting of everything in the media these days to try & grab attention.

Re: Ben Westwood : Tue Oct 08, 2013 3:58 pm  

I have had quite a few knocks to the head,also not all accidental,Broken nose twice,lots of stitches,knocked clean out twice but that was in the tackle not punched,concussion a good few times.I always consoled myself by telling myself they always go for the good looking ones.

Also had 9 operations as well

The game is definately too clean these days

Re: Ben Westwood : Tue Oct 08, 2013 4:07 pm  

tigertot wrote:

Above my shoulders I have had c10 stitches in my forehead, ear nearly removed twice, nose broken twice, about 12 teeth broken/repaired/filled/capped, numerous black eyes, cuts & gashes. Some were accidents, some deliberate. There are lasting physical scars, most have healed & I managed to retain my good looks & boyish charm. Not one of them was by going toe to toe. I am amazed anyone who played amateur or pre-videoing of pro rugby (unless you were a winger) was much different.

That must have been one hell of a game. Who were you playing that day?