This was published 5 years ago
Life lessons: Harrison's sage advice for Slipper comes from experience
By Tom Decent
Justin Harrison, the former Wallabies second-rower famous for that lineout steal in the deciding Test of the 2001 British and Irish Lions series, has a reassuring message for James Slipper.
Harrison has a better idea than most of what Slipper is going through. An abrasive player who would run through a brick wall for his teammates, the now 44-year-old represented the Wallabies on 34 occasions from 2001 to 2004 and featured in a World Cup final on home soil.
Life after rugby: Justin Harrison ponders the big questions beyond elite sport.Credit: Graham Tidy
A former president of the Rugby Union Players’ Association, Harrison is the first to admit he has made a few mistakes, which is why he is embarking on a mission to nurture rugby players in the twilight of their career.
Last month, Slipper recorded his second positive test for cocaine. He was suspended for two months but he could be out of the game longer depending on his wellbeing.
In 2009, Harrison was banned from rugby for eight months after admitting to taking cocaine on an end-of-season night out while contracted with Bath in the UK.
THAT lineout steal: Harrison grabs the key ball from the Lions' Martin Johnson in 2001 to clinch the series. Credit: REUTERS/Mark Baker
Harrison has acknowledged in previous interviews he made a massive error of judgement and now assures he is in a better head space.
There have been a number of opinions offered in the wake of Slipper’s indiscretion but Harrison’s is perhaps most pertinent than most given he knows what effect cocaine can have.
“That drug is a powerful drug,” Harrison told Fairfax Media. “It’s a very good masking agent of real emotion. He’s probably relieved that now he’s able to implement a plan that will help strategise how to not get in those situations.
“Jimmy will be feeling alone and unfortunately that’s a path he’s going to have to walk himself. But he’s not someone that will be abandoned or vilified because of what is in most people’s life journey, not a rite of passage, but an experimental phase that people sometimes go through and get away with because of obscurity.
“As a professional athlete it doesn’t seem right someone would seek out social drug use but it’s an understandable mistake that doesn’t affect any of our attitudes towards him or anyone else. The first reaction is to support rather than ostracise, he needs to remember that.
“Just because you’re a professional athlete doesn’t mean you’re going to make the right choices in life. Quite often you’ll make the wrong ones. You’re in an unrealistic, strange environment where you make choices on your own and often they are publicised. When they’re right, everyone celebrates them. When you make wrong ones, people vilify you.”
Support: Harrison knows what James Slipper is going through and has offered kind, wise words to him.Credit: AAP
Harrison is a deep thinker and wants to make good a life in which he feels like he is constantly “avoiding mistakes or repairing mistakes”.
However, bring up the lineout steal from 17 years ago that he’ll long be remembered for and the tone in Harrison’s voice changes.
“I rarely get to revel in the thrill of high achievement,” he explains.
Clinging onto a six-point lead, the Wallabies were on the back foot in the 78th minute with the series level at 1-1. The Lions had a lineout about ten metres from Australia’s line before Harrison orchestrated a memorable lineout steal, straight from the grasp of England great Martin Johnson.
To make the moment even more impressive, it was on debut.
“A lot of people say to me: 'that lineout was great but what did you do after that?'” Harrison said. “It ended up being a crucial stage in the game and a bit of luck thrown in, stupidity, mixed in with some bravery and things worked.
“I remember it and anytime people don’t, I’m quick to show them the YouTube clip. It’s a lovely memory and a chance for me to feel like I contributed something to what is a very special environment.”
Harrison lives in the south of France, where he has resided since 2011 with his young family, and is in Australia for the next three weeks. He will line up for the Classic Wallabies on Sunday in Toowoomba and it is a program he is very passionate about.
Harrison’s transition from the bubble of professional sport wasn’t smooth sailing. He has battled depression and alcohol issues and knows all too well about how tough things can get.
“Life isn’t everything it’s cracked up to be, it’s hard,” Harrison said. “Getting life right from the word go is astoundingly unbelievable most times.
“I’m a terrified father of two boys hoping like hell I get it right more than I get it wrong. Most of the time it’s guesswork and you’re just holding on. There’s elements of insecurity and that identity piece that sports people seem to struggle with. There’s an element of get up and get on with it.
“When you retire you soon realise that you were actually just a product. Once that product expires, you’ve got to understand what are you good at producing now.
Career highlight: Harrison enjoying the moment after the Wallabies beat the Lions. Credit: Tim Clayton/SMH Sport
“The Classic Wallabies platform allows you to still feel like you’re a part of something that is worthwhile. You’re able to engage the community again and rely on the nostalgia – it often clouds memory … you become a lot better than you were. It’s a powerful platform and I’m keen to engage.”
The passing of Dan Vickerman last year had a profound impact on Harrison, for he had also contemplated suicide during his playing days. The pair played together for the Wallabies in 18 Tests.
“It was a powerful event in a lot of our timelines who knew Dan,” Harrison said. “It highlighted the fact depression and suicide is a very real danger for people who have done anything in life. It’s perhaps exacerbated when you step away from a professional environment.”
Despite living on the other side of the world, Harrison is heavily invested in the health of Australian rugby. The day after a Wallabies loss, don’t talk to him. After a resounding win, he’ll chew the fat with anyone.
Harrison’s response when asked what he misses most about the glory days goes to show what the Wallabies family still means to him.
“Achieving something significant with a good group of hard-working Australian mates, that’s what I miss the most,” Harrison said. “The best part of my career was putting myself in a very difficult position with a group of good mates and finding a solution.
“It was a large part of some of the best times of my life being associated with Australian rugby. When you retire you soon realise it’s always going to be a huge part of you.”