RUGBY “Are The All Blacks Protesting Too Much?”

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29250, 7 July 1960, Page 16

RUGBY “Are The All Blacks Protesting Too Much?”

[From T. P. McLEAN. "NZ Herald" Correspondent, bp Arrangement with th.

BLOEMFONTEIN, July 8. History will almost certainly record that on its tour of New Zealand in 1958, the South African Rugby team ’ encountered many difficulties became of the tendency of the manager, Dr. D. H. Craven, to rush into print on any pro- ’ voeattom

One wonders whether the All Blacks who are now touring South Africa may be heading for similar difficulties. < So far this week there have been positive reactions in South African newspapers to criticisms of ill behaviour which were made on Sunday and of “savageness” at Salisbury which were made on Monday and Tuesday morning. It has also been stated that the general manager of Central Afri-

can Airways has categorically denied complaining of misbehaviour by the touring team during, a flight to Ndola. All these statements directly attributed to the team purport to refute the allegations and they are independently supported by the statement of a Windh6ek hotel manager that he had 'no complaints whatever to make about the All Blacks.

As Dr. Craven so sadly discovered, statements rebutting allegations seldom achieve the full intended effect, but rather tend to set up a chain reaction of further allegations which demand even more positive denials. . One feels it is not improbable that this chain reaction is aboqt to affect this, tour? Yesterday there appeared a further article which could have important repercussions. Though-no source was given it was as plain as a pikestaff that it either came from the All Black camp or was tactily approved by it. Under the heading “Quick Whistle Irks the Kiwis” the story said that the All Blacks were concerned at the noticeable tendency of referees in recent matches to “blow up” the rucks too' soon.

The tourists had been ready to admit, the writer said, that there was little difference between the rucking laws as interpreted in New Zealand and South Africa but “that was before the first test and the quick, shrill whistle of Dr. E. A. Strasheim.” The rest of the story expands this theme and conveys ■ that there is dissatisfaction among the New Zealanders.

Quite frankly, this is a little alarming. On only one match of the tour so far, at Kitwe, have rucks been blown up immediately. At all other times there have been no material differences frem New Zealand. In sum, one gets the impression that the touring party may be protesting too much.

East Coast Lose To Hawke’s Bay, 14-3 In an uninspiring Rugby match at Napier today, Hawke’s Bay defeated East Coast by 14 points to 3. Hawke's Bay's points were made up of one converted try, one try and two penalty goals, while East Coast scored one try. At half-time the score was 3-3. MALVERN SUB-UNION The following under-20 players are asked to attend at Sheffield at the weekeill! at 1 p.m. to play* Canterbury Maoris. E. Buxton, J. Hicks, J. Redfern, M Redfern, N. Olliver, R. Irvine, M. Jordan, A. King, D. Lawless. B. Johnson, J. Lili, P. Slee, K. MSrsh, R. Weastell. O. Adams, G. Bowman. M. Milne. P. Thompson. There will be no practice this week. Players supply boots only. Anyone not available kindly notify R. Churton. 'Phone 138 M, Darfield. —Advt.