fevnut's musings 2024/#06: Nu Brown and Ben Reynolds

Head ‘tackles’ and Nu Brown

 

There are two very good reasons why the RFL had to introduce a regime which drastically reduces the incidence of players suffering from concussions.

The first of these, and probably the prime motivation for the RFL, is a legal one. Both rugby league and the ‘kick and clap’ code are currently subject to claims for compensation from players whose health has been adversely affected by repeated concussions. From a financial point of view the RFL must reduce the likelihood of such claims in the future. And to do that they need to be able to demonstrate that they have taken such action that will show that they have put into place regulations that protect the future of health of players.

But for us, there is an even more important reason and that is a moral one. We have met with many former players and some of them show, without doubt, the manner in which playing the sport of rugby league has had a malign effect on their health. Let’s not forget that a playing career is a short one and for most there is a much longer period of their lives after they have retired. Not only should they be reasonably looked after but we need to also bear in mind the affect of health problems caused by concussions on their families as well.

Of course, rugby league is, and should be, a tough game, but there needs to be a distinction drawn between injuries that are tough but from which recovery is to be expected and those injuries which can have lifelong consequences.

For that reason we were pleased that the RFL is trying to drastically reduce head injuries. But the way it has been implemented has led to some ridiculous and ‘over-the top’ responses from referees. And let’s be clear, this is NOT having a dig at referees. They have a hugely difficult job and have been acting in a manner which has been dictated by the powers that be.

Some of the cards issued at the start of the season are decidedly justifiable, but there are also ones that are plainly ridiculous and none more so than the sending-off of our old friend Nu Brown. We imagine that most people have now seen the incident so there is no need for us to elaborate on what happened. What was absolutely clear was that the head clash was a pure accident and there was no malice whatsoever. So, Nu Brown could not be deemed to have deliberately caused the head clash. That in itself, does not entirely exclude culpability. The new rules also cover head contact brought which maybe accidental but have resulted from a reckless action. Was Nu Brown guilty of a deliberate head contact? – NO. Was he guilty of an accidental contact brought about by reckless action? – NO!

Thank goodness the disciplinary panel had the sense to completely exonerate him but the fact is that Hull FC (for whom we hold no brief!) were irreversibly punished because of the red card.

Those of us at Fev, who have had the fortune to have had time talking with Nu when he was playing for us already know what a decent and very likeable young man he is. Even in that knowledge it was amazing to read what Nu, himself said about the sending-off and the referee. For those who haven’t seen it we repeat his words:

 

“It’s not even about me. It’s about the future of this game and wanting it to be in good hands when us older players leave this game onto the next generation,” Brown wrote.

“Please do not bag the referees as they’re only human trying to do their job too. I spoke with the ref after the game and I said “I’m not frustrated at you bro, I know you’re just trying to follow the rules/laws that you’ve been given” we shook hands and that was that. Referees have mental health too so please be mindful with words.

“I totally understand and agree with the laws trying to ease contact to the head. No one wants to see their loved ones struggle post rugby. I get that. But…. there has to be a line drawn in the sand of what is intent force and what is an accident.

“If you’ve never stepped foot on a rugby field, your heart is beating to the max rate running back 10m each tackle to turn around and see multiple big humans coming at you, having to figure out “how the hell am I going to put this guy down to the ground”. Things happen that fast, sometimes you don’t have time to correct your technique because you’re at max heart rate, they are coming at you so fast but you know you have to put your body on the line for the brothers.

“This decision not only cost my brothers struggling on the field tonight with 12 men but decisions like this can cost the big games at the end of the year. Seeing two teams in a grand final that have worked so hard to be on the big stage and then someone getting a red/yellow card like tonight would be sad for the sport/fans and everyone else involved in the game. People that haven’t played the game before don’t realise how hard it is to play with one man down. It ruins the game plan, attack and defensive structures.

“We will only push supporters and kids that want to play away from the game I and so many others love. This game we call Rugby League got me out of the hood. The lessons on and off the field have shaped me to the man I am today. Please let’s make this game good here in GB to help and inspire our kids.”

What humanity! And his plea for people not to have a go at the referee should be a lesson to us all.

 

Ben Reynolds 

We Fev supporters have an over-riding to commitment to our beloved Rovers. It’s a love that can, occasionally, be frustrating and can Also occasionally make us angry, but our love for our club is nevertheless non-negotiable. Just like a marriage but without any possibility of divorce!

That often leads us to expecting the same commitment and loyalty from our players. That’s unreasonable when you remember that it is their job, their means to financial security for themselves and their family. We remember well that when we were in our early years of teaching and rather low down on the pay scale, a neighbouring authority was undergoing a major re-organisation we received a suggestion that we might like to apply for a head of department post in one of their schools. Hand on heart, in such circumstances, who would have said that we shouldn’t have applied because of our commitment to school where we were currently employed?! Well, we did apply, got the job and had the satisfaction of running a department along with a considerable boost to our income.

There are a huge number of players who have played for both Fev and our local rivals Castleford (138) and Wakefield (162) and many of those gave great service to Fev and are highly respected as former Fev players. Players such as Liam Finn, Jamie Rooney, Graham Steadman, Harold Box, John Willie Higson and Richard Slater.

“I know nothing” was a famous line uttered by Manuel (Andrew Sachs) in an episode of Fawlty Towers. 

We were reminded of that as we started to think about the issues surrounding Ben Reynolds' departure to Hull Kingston Rovers because, like all of us, we do not know the real issues surrounding that transfer. It hasn’t, however, prevented scorn being heaped upon Reynolds from many Fev fans. We have also heard it said, several times, that he should never be allowed to play for Fev under dual registration. Initially we felt that, too, but then we thought a bit more about it. When he agreed to sign for Rovers he was a much heralded Super League player. He had won a Challenge Cup winner medal with Leigh in 2023. He certainly wasn’t a ‘bit part’ layer having started in 26 of their 33 matches last year. He must have been confident (weren’t we all?) that he would be playing in Super League for Fev in 2024 as a full-time player, on a full-time wage that would enable him to comfortably support his family.

The little we do know is that Rovers tried to keep him but we suspect that they would have worked harder to block his move if it wasn’t for the awful implication of the way the fixtures have worked out leaving us with the first four games of the season all being away which must have been very hard for the club to cope with financially. A ‘substantial’ transfer fee must have been a major benefit to the club’s cash-flow situation.

There is, of course, a precedent for a player leaving Fev and then returning on dual reg. Luke Briscoe’s moves between Leeds Rhinos and Fev are a bit complicated. Luke played for us on dual reg in 2016.  We signed him in 2017 but then he went back to Leeds in June 2018 but continued to play for Fev on dual reg and also did so in 2019 and 2020 before coming back as a Fev player in 2022. The circumstances are not identical but we never heard anyone say that Luke should not play for Fev under dual reg because of his disloyalty!