The first thing I heard about Rugby League, and more in particular in referrence to the NRL,  the preferred brand of rugby by many on this forum, was that it was full of bar fights and gangbangs.  I've always given it the bennifit of the doubt, and have come to really love League.  RL's exciting brand of rugby was truly displayed at the Rugby League World Cup this past year.  However, it seems scandal after scandal has hit the NRL this year. 

From the onset, before the season fully began,  Brett Stewart embarrassed his club and the league with sexual assault charges.  Now, commentator, and presenter Matthew Johns has been named in a group-sex scandal with this 2002 team the Sharks.  What one must keep in mind is Johns is not alone in this incident but will definitely take the brunt of the backlash as he is the most prominent figure of the scandal.  Just a few days following the Stewart affair, Johns and Co-Host of the Footy Show, Paul Vautin, were discussing the need for the NRL to rise above the scandals and clear their name.  They asked for players to act responsibly off the pitch, and expressed concern over present drinking ban regulations, talking about how the players were almost helpless to binge.  How odd that in just a matter of weeks the spotlight is thrust on one of the men trying to make the sport look clean.  Admitably 2002 was a long time ago.  I'm sure there are things that I did 7 years ago that I might be ashamed or embarrassed by now.  I'm not saying I was involved in a North Korean Style Porno, like Johns, but 7 years can change a man.  The scandal itself can be debated, I supose.  Was the woman a victim, or did she subject herself to the incident?  Why would a team of men enjoy such a degrading act?  Why is a problem from 2002 being brought up now?  Answers I don't have, questions I do, as I'm sure many of you will also.  I hope, for Rugby League's sake, for the sake of the NRL, and everyone involved that things can get cleared up and the NRL can make sensible regulations.  Treating the players as helpless kids who if left to their own devices will drink, rape and pillage sets them up to drink, rape and pillage.  At risk right now is at least the career of Matthew Johns, the future of The Footy Show and possible backlash from major sponsors.  "Brett Stewart was a tough week for rugby league and for us.  We were about to present a light-hearted show based around the love of rugby league and suddenly we had to go out and make some sort of statement about what had gone on.  It was the same again last Thursday night with Matty," said Gary Burn, executive producer of The Footy Show.  I'm sure League will survive somehow and move on.  I, personally, feel the real issue is how the NRL, in particular, look at players.  All the commentary I've heard, especially from Johns own mouth, presents a very disturbing situation.

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http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=49211