Richard Loe: Perspective key to All Black misdemeanours

If an All Black steps way out of line and does something illegal, then they have to accept they are going to be jumped on.

It doesn't matter what it is. If it is illegal they should not be doing it, whether they are a sportsman or Joe Public.

You don't, however, have to be a rocket scientist to know that if you get into trouble as a sports star you are going to get into double trouble. The media are going to come down on you very hard. I have no sympathy for All Blacks who go well over the line.

But I think we need to be careful that we keep the whole issue of off-field behaviour in perspective.

There is no problem with being a bit boisterous and having a couple too many beers. The incident a few years ago when Tana Umaga was filmed coming home late after a few too many, there was nothing wrong with that.

There has to be a time when individuals can go out and enjoy themselves. Rugby players, after all, are selected on their ability to play the game first and foremost. They are not selected as role models. A lot of people hold sportsmen up as good role models for young kids, but they are sportspeople first of all.

We need to give our top players space and encouragement to be individuals off the pitch.

I don't think too much has changed in that respect since my days as a player. When I was an All Black there was a saying spread out and stick together. We would say go to the edge and have a look but not go over. I'm pretty sure that attitude still prevails.

The big difference now is that it is much harder for players to go out and blend into the crowd.

If a coach makes a public statement about not wanting his players to go out for a few drinks after a game and that player is then seen out, there are some idiots who think it is their responsibility to pop them. To me that is a lot of nonsense and it's trainspotting.

Where there's probably a big difference between my era and the players of today, is in the respective attitudes towards on-field behaviour. Now players can be fined and lose income as a consequence of a yellow or red card.

But while I can respect and understand that, I would hate to see someone like Jerry Collins tone himself down.

We need people with his character in the game and I know the French would be applauding Jerry if he he played for them.

Remember it wasn't that long ago we had an All Black captain coming off the pitch complaining that French players were holding on to his testicles. Those players doing the ball-grabbing should have been sorted.

What rugby follower would even bat an eyelid if Taine Randell had said the reason he threw a punch was because someone had a hold of his balls? It's about finding a happy balance.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY