Why Do People Hate Phil Kearns?
Phil Kearns was a polarizing figure during his time as the captain of the Australian national rugby union team, the Wallabies. A tough and uncompromising player, his abrasive personality and confrontational leadership style made him one of the most hated figures in Australian sports by fans and opponents alike.
The Rise of Phil Kearns
Kearns burst onto the international scene in 1988 as the Wallabies’ starting hooker, known for his gritty play and fierce competitiveness. By 1992, he had taken over the captaincy and led Australia to a famous World Cup final victory against England.
His profile rose even higher when he captained the Wallabies to their first-ever Rugby Championship title in 1994 with a record of eight wins from eight tests.
However, Kearns’ success was matched by an equally legendary ability to court controversy and alienate people, sowing the seeds of animosity that would persist long after his retirement.
A Polarizing Personality
Much of the hatred towards Kearns stemmed from his behavior on the rugby pitch. He was infamous for his trash-talking, niggling tactics, and lack of respect for opponents and referees.
Kearns often crossed the line into outright bullying and physical intimidation. During the 1991 World Cup quarter-final against Ireland, he was lucky to escape a red card for an shocking eye-gouging incident on Irish fullback Jim Stauffer.
Off-Field Arrogance
Off the field, Kearns did little to endear himself to fans with his arrogant demeanor and disparaging comments about rivals. He frequently dismissed criticisms leveled at him as “tall poppy syndrome,” suggesting bitterness motivated by jealousy over his success.
His strained relationship with the rugby media was epitomized by an infamous 1994 interview where Kearns lambasted a reporter as being “stuck in the past” and stormed out.
Divided Loyalties
Kearns’ detractors also took issue with his Randwick club loyalties, accusing him of favoring players from that Sydney team for national selection at the expense of provincial representatives.
His close relationship with Wallabies coach Bob Dwyer, a fellow Randwick man, only fueled these perceptions of bias and cronyism.
Record of Achievement
Despite the controversies, Kearns’ record as captain is undeniably impressive. In addition to the 1991 World Cup triumph, he oversaw Australia’s most successful run in decades, including:
| Year | Tournament | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Rugby Championship | Champions |
| 1994 | Bledisloe Cup | Retained |
| 1995 | Rugby World Cup | Runners-Up |
His 57 Tests as captain remains an Australian record, with an overall 67% win rate that speaks to his fierce determination to eke out victories at all costs.
Lasting Impact and Legacy
One of the most infamous moments in Kearns’ career took place after the 1995 Rugby World Cup semi-final against England. Video footage captured him showing a complete lack of sportsmanship by kicking a dead ball into the face of English winger Andy Goode after the final whistle.
The appalling act of poor conduct became known simply as “The Kick” and cemented Kearns’ reputation as the ultimate villain in rugby.
Post-Playing Career Missteps
After retiring in 1999, Kearns moved into television commentary and rugby administration roles. But his brash personality and questionable decision-making continued to invite controversy.
As a Fox Sports rugby pundit, his tendency to trash talk opponents and make outrageous statements was seen as out-of-touch and distasteful to many fans.
His stint on the Australian Rugby Union board in the 2000s was also marred by infighting and accusations that he pursued a personal agenda against establishment figures.
The Haters Gonna Hate?
Given the laundry list of Kearns’ transgressions, it’s little wonder he generated so much venom and scorn from fans, the media, and even former teammates over the years.
However, his most ardent supporters might argue that the intense hatred toward him was simply the inevitable byproduct of his fierce will to win and uncompromising determination.
To them, Kearns was the quintessential hard man who did whatever it took to grind out victories, making him the ultimate pantomime villain that fans loved to hate.
That aside, the scale and intensity of the animosity he attracted puts Kearns in a class of his own when it comes to divisive and disliked Australian sporting figures.
Conclusion: Phil Kearns – The Ultimate Sports Villain
Few athletes have managed to inspire the same levels of vitriol and contempt as former Wallabies rugby captain Phil Kearns. From eye-gouging to his infamous post-match “kick,” from belittling reporters to allegations of cronyism, Kearns’ trail of controversies is as lengthy as his list of on-field achievements.
Yet even Kearns’ most ardent critics would have to begrudgingly admit that for all his flaws, the man possessed an unrelenting will to win that made him a historic Australian sporting great. His captaincy record speaks for itself – an unprecedented 57 Tests in charge, a Rugby World Cup triumph, and the first-ever Rugby Championship crown in 1994.
However, that single-minded pursuit of victory often manifested itself in the ugliest of ways. Kearns’ repeated lack of sportsmanship, intimidation tactics, arrogance, and polarizing personality ultimately left more scars than his actual on-field play.
So while fans may have loved to hate the pantomime villain he represented during his playing days, the residual animosity that lingered long into his retirement speaks volumes about the damage Kearns’ personal conduct inflicted on the game’s image.
Perhaps more than any other Australian sports figure, Phil Kearns built a complex, unparalleled legacy that delicately straddled the line between being an immortalized winner and the ultimate bad-boy disgrace the public loved to detest.
FAQs
What were some of the biggest controversies involving Phil Kearns?
Some of Phil Kearns’ most infamous controversies included:
- The eye-gouging incident on Jim Stauffer at the 1991 World Cup
- His combative media interviews and dismissal of criticism as “tall poppy syndrome”
- The infamous “The Kick” incident on Andy Goode after the 1995 World Cup semi-final
- Accusations of favoring Randwick club players for national selection
What records did Phil Kearns hold as Wallabies captain?
As captain of the Wallabies rugby team, Phil Kearns held the following records:
- Most Tests as Australian captain (57)
- 67% win record as captain
- Led Australia to victory at the 1991 Rugby World Cup
- First Australian captain to win the Rugby Championship (1994)
How did Phil Kearns’ personality and behavior contribute to the hatred towards him?
Kearns invited hate through his arrogant personality, trash-talking of opponents, lack of sportsmanship, physical intimidation tactics on the field, and combative relationship with the media. His perceived bias towards Randwick players also alienated many fans.
Did Phil Kearns’ success justify his controversial behavior?
While Kearns was undoubtedly a successful captain, many felt his abrasive personality and pattern of unsportsmanlike conduct went too far and tarnished his legacy. Success alone did not justify his worst transgressions in the eyes of many critics.
How did the hatred towards Phil Kearns impact his post-playing career?
The animosity towards Kearns persisted long after he hung up his boots. His stints as a TV commentator and rugby administrator were marred by concerns that his outrageous statements and combative style were outdated and detrimental to the game’s image.
