Re: ZAK : Sat Oct 20, 2018 11:22 am
Returnee wrote:
The individuals health and well being over anything else. You sure about that?
‘We have thought long and hard about what the correct thing to do is for Wigan’.
I don’t doubt that’s what they want folk to believe; they just forgot to tell the bloke writing the script!
‘We have thought long and hard about what the correct thing to do is for Wigan’.
I don’t doubt that’s what they want folk to believe; they just forgot to tell the bloke writing the script!
The correct thing for Wigan has to be looked at in more detail than just what ZH can offer as a player. There’s a significant reputational risk to the club either way. If they sacked him and he imploded and in the worst case scenario followed the Terry Newton path, the club would be heavily criticised for not placing his welfare at the forefront of their decision making. By keeping him on there’s an element of fans from both inside and outside of the club who think he’ll let the club down again and that the club are condoning all his misdemeanours.
By sending him to residential rehab, the club has acted very responsibly. He addresses his issues from a welfare perspective and has the best possible chance of rebuilding his life and his career. He is more inclined to feel a commitment to the club in return for their support and hopefully will deliver on the field.
In addition any player who is considering joining the club will clearly see that welfare is important to the management team.
All in all the club were in a very difficult position and in considering what’s correct for the club, they have managed the situation perfectly. Demonstrated a real focus on welfare, minimised reputational risk and retained a very good player.
Let’s not forget that as well as being rugby players, these are also just people and sometimes, people need to be put first.