Protecting Rugby's Values

Most Rah-Rahs consider Rugby's values to be a defining element of our sport.

The fervent remonstrating you see by players with referees in some other sports is (thankfully) almost completely absent from our game. Respect for match officials - and the opposition - is a core value of Rugby.

A game with positions for people of all shapes and sizes is arguably THE defining value of rugby.

The Haka, Siva Tau, Sipi Tau, i-Bole and other cultural challenges hold a special - even revered - place in all Test Matches. The sight of two teams simultaneously performing their cultural challenges, as the All Blacks and Tonga did at the opening match of Rugby World Cup 2011, is one of the great sights in world sport.

In an era of mass saturation of sport on our TV, and as Rugby reaches out to a new global audience attracting millions of new fans, players, coaches and referees - many from non-traditional rugby countries - it is important that the values of rugby are promoted. Indeed, it is incumbent on administrators and players alike to fiercely protect and promote rugby's values.

Perhaps not surprisingly, this was a topic of passionate debate amongst the 100+ membership at the 2009 IRB General Assembly - sparked by a moving story told by the President of the Georgia Rugby Union. He told of a phone call he received the previous year - at the outbreak of the brief war between Georgia and Russia. It was from his Russian counterpart. "Our governments may be at war" he said "but we are your friends - and if there is anything we can do to help when this is over then please let me know".  He made the point to the Assembly that if the solidarity of the Rugby family can rise above war then we must be more active in protecting and promoting it's values.

Since the 2009 General Assembly the IRB has been more proactive in promoting Rugby's values. A number of Member Unions - most notably England - have also commenced their own series of promotions to educate players and fans of the importance and role of Rugby's values in the modern game.

The video above was produced for, and shown at, last year's General Assembly in New Zealand and it captures Rugby's values well.

And for those interested, here is what the RFU have put together along the same theme.