Joe Marler has come in for a fair bit of stick recently, but his decision yesterday to announce that he had ruled himself out of England’s games this summer was brave, and should be used as an example for others to follow.
Professional rugby has reached an astronomical level of physicality. Injuries are becoming part of the furniture, and the number of serious ones that require lengthy periods on the sideline – not to mention keeping surgeons in business up and down the country – is on the rise. With more games being squeezed into an already over-loaded calendar, this is no real surprise.
Just this week Gordon D’Arcy writes in his column in the Irish Independent of the many occasions in which he played when only at 80%. He writes of postponing surgeries and hoodwinking physios into letting him play. The professional rugby player, he says, just wants to play. He just wants to get out onto the pitch, and worry about the effects of it later.
D’Arcy is about to go under the knife for what he hopes is the penultimate time since retiring – he has another hip surgery lined up later this year. And this is a guy that played in the centres, not even in the pack where the hits are more frequent and more powerful.
I’m not having a go at D’Arcy, either. Rugby is so competitive these days that you miss a few months, you can become old news, replaced by the next big thing. D’Arcy himself knows this; after his last injury, he was replaced in Ireland’s midfield by Robbie Henshaw, and they haven’t looked back since.
So, Marler’s decision should be applauded. There will be cynics out there that offer alternate reasons for his decision, but to my mind, he is bravely looking at the bigger picture – sacrificing the now for the long term. His body (and mind, which we have to acknowledge probably isn’t quite in the right place right now, given his recent misdemeanours) isn’t in peak condition for a gruelling summer tour, so he is deciding to sit it out.
Curiously, one of England’s other premier looseheads, Alex Corbisiero, is also currently in the midst of a sabbatical. He has taken the season off after being plagued by injuries in a bid to freshen up and get out of the neverending cycle of playing a few games, then getting injured.
It sounds simple to say “if you don’t feel fit, don’t play”, but in the professional rugby environment it is anything but. Marler knows that he risks losing his first choice spot to Mako Vunipola or Matt Mullan – both excellent players – but in the long term, taking a summer off and doing a full pre-season could prolong his career.
This from Corbisiero’s excellent recent interview with the Guardian pretty much sums it up:
“There were so many times I should not have played. I wouldn’t say I felt forced but I felt pressure to play and to ‘soldier up’. I ended up doing more damage which I regret now. If I had been smarter I would have played lots more games over my 10 years.”
There will be others going on tour this summer in a similar situation. They will know within themselves that they aren’t at 100% (how could they be, after the quantity of rugby some of them have played?), but will push through it because that is a rugby player’s default setting.
Kudos to Marler for making the brave call to put his long term health ahead of his career. Others would do well to remember that they are human beings first, and rugby players second.
By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
A very good article Jamie
Completely agree. He is taking a risk, but a calculated one.
You could also say if he went on tour not feeling great he could lose his place anyway due to poor performances. I think he is best to take a break and be fresh.
You would also not want what happened to Jonathan Trott (Cricket), whereby it caused mental issues. It is not like England do not have backup either and it will give Eddie a chance to strengthen this area.
i thought marler wanted a break to get his mind in the right place, nothing to do with injuries ? it’s not like he has not been having a rest physically from games with all the bans he been getting
Bob. I expect its both. Even with the bans he will have played a lot of intensive rugby.
I bet his body as well his mind needs a break.
indeed. I suspect that at the highest level; physical and mental wellbeing is very much linked together.
Yes bravely………………… kicking a bloke in the face when said bloke is on the floor.
Bravely name-calling people from minority groups and using racist language but then saying ‘I am not a racist’
What a brave guy!!!
What a human being filled with milk of brotherly kindness
A big cahoona keyboard warrior lecturing on bravery ….. hmmm …..
Lewis. Unfortunately, you have not got the point at all. The bravery that is being referred to in this article is the fact he has kicked someone or abused them, it is that he has recognised he has done wrong and needs to sort himself out.
It is not referring to the point of his previous actions. but those going forward to make sure he does not do it again.
Just wondering whether this headline still applies to this fine specimen of an English Rugby international?????
It still counts in this instance. I take it you are talking about his comments on Twitter? The title did not state that he was brightest of sparks lol
3 issues/offences have therefore built up in under 3 months.
3 different incidents that are each very unpleasant and totally unprofessional in their own right.
1. Kicking a bloke in face, he got a tiny, almost meaningless ban for this. An Argentine player a 99 year ban as highlighted on this blog. Marler did this on his return game from the ban in no2 below.
2.Use of racial abuse to a member of a recognised UK minority group, recorded saying this in an international rugby game in the 6 nations whilst playing before millions on tv.
3. Using twitter to accuse a former Aussie coach of committing the sin of Onan but with less polite ways of expressing it.
Rugby fans must be asking themselves what on earth is this Marler guy doing to do next?
Marler is now serial offender and will get the usual RFU ‘naughty step’ punishment, if it even goes that far.
Couple of comments
1. Did you see the Argentine kick to the face it was not even comparable to Marlers little lick of the foot. Marler got a short ban and rightly so, The argentine case should have been 50 weeks IMO but I have no problems with 99 years
2. No excuse should have got a short ban
3. Shouldn’t have done it but is seems a pretty concise and accurate description of the man in question
Yes he is a serial offender and has proved he still hasn’t got his head in the right place. He made the right decision in this article but doesn’t seem to have finished his treatment yet. Back to the sports shrinks couch methinks. If he doesn’t sort it out by September will he be brave enough to take a longer break
Leon. He needs to know when to shut his mouth. But I fear he may have problems getting back in the team. The new props coming through look like they could be quite good. Plus if Alex Corbisero comes back anything near his best then he could go straight back into the team.
Regrettably I don’t think we’ll se Corbisiero back at the top level.
As for Marler, he’s too a good a scrummager to fall out of consideration – so long as he can go 3 or 4 months without courting controversy. A summer off, having his twitter account suspended and some good pre-season training with Quins should see him right again.
As for his latest comment, given during the RWC Dwyer headed up a successful media campaign to prejudice on-field decisions against Marler and is now trying it again with Cole, I totally agree with the sentiment of his tweet
Pablito. He is a good scrummager. But if a newbie comes in and claims the place, then Jones might just think he is not worth it.
You are probably right about Corbisero. But he has taken the year off to try and rid himself of his injury issues. If he can get fit then he is one of the best props in the world. Fingers crossed for him.