Gamesmanship or disrespect? 'The Wink' that sparked a rugby debate

The incident involving Sharks scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse and that wink towards Munster opponent Jack Crowley, as the flyhalf lined up a kick at goal during their United Rugby Championship quarter-final this past Saturday, raises serious questions about sportsmanship and the spirit of rugby.

While such moments may appear minor or even amusing to some, they strike at the core of what distinguishes rugby from many other sports, especially football: its great culture of respect.

"The Wink", which looked harmless on the surface, represented a subtle yet intentional act of gamesmanship that undermines the integrity and sportsmanship that rugby prides itself on. Of course, it’s caused widespread division and arguments for and against it. However, at the core of the sport’s values is mutual respect – between opponents, for referees, and for the game itself.

One of the most sacred moments in rugby is the goal-kicking process. You would hear a stadium announcer throughout SA venues at least announce, ‘respect the kicker’.

It is a moment that requires concentration, mental discipline, and silence – not just from the crowd but from opposing players as well. And although home teams can’t control the boos emanating from their spectators, they can regulate their players.

Disruptive behaviour during a kick at goal, whether verbal or non-verbal, is widely regarded as poor sportsmanship. Hendrikse’s wink, although not a direct physical or verbal interference, was a deliberate act to distract or unnerve Crowley.

That subtle provocation crosses a line. And after Crowley slotted his kick, it just made the act all that poorer. Imagine attempting to distract someone during a kick, only for them to successfully convert it. You look like the fool then.

Some may argue that Hendrikse’s action was a little bit of clever gamesmanship during his treatment for cramping. And yes, he cramped up after playing almost two hours of rugby.

However, the line between gamesmanship and disrespect is a thin one. When players begin to push against those boundaries, it erodes the values that rugby relies on. If such behaviour becomes part of the game, it could open the door to further acts of subtle taunting, mind games, or even overt disrespect.

That is a slippery slope that could eventually cheapen the sport.

Yes, players chirp and try to get under each other’s skin for 80 minutes, even after scoring tries. And the Irish are no saints when it comes to this type of behaviour during games. They are after all called masters of the dark arts, especially when it comes to the breakdown and slowing possession of their opponents.

But what happens when a goal-kicker kicks at goals, there is a sense of respect for that kicker with no chirps or winks when he lines the ball up.

A wink might seem insignificant, but when it is used as a tool to throw off an opponent at a crucial moment, it becomes a form of psychological gamesmanship that should not be condoned. Rugby must uphold its values.

Additionally, the game prides itself on being a sport where the referee is not the only one enforcing respect, but it is self-regulated by the players. It is this self-discipline and sense of honour that distinguishes the sport.