SYDNEY LEAGUE CLUB DENIES N.Z. OFFERS

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30593, 9 November 1964, Page 3

SYDNEY LEAGUE CLUB DENIES N.Z. OFFERS

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, November 8. The leading Sydney Rugby League club, Manly, was reported yesterday to have made offers of up to £7OOO for three All Blacks—M. A. Herewini and R. E. Rangi, of Auckland, and V. Yates, of North Auckland.

However, a report from Sydney today says the ManlyWarringah Rugby League Club has denied making the offer.

The first report said Herewini had been offered £A8750 to join, a free trip for himself and his wife to inspect the club, £lOO for a winning match, £75 for a draw and £5O for a loss.

The secretary of the Manly club (Mr K. Arthurson) said last evening, no member of his club or any agent had ap-

proached the All Blacks named. “Anyway, the sums mentioned would be quite out of the question,” he said. Mr Arthurson said he was in New Zealand several months ago and had talked with Rugby League people. He had never seen Herewini or Rangi. Rangi said he had not been approached directly by Manly officials. “This all started after the Barbarians-Auckland Rugby match last month,” he said. “An Aucklander has done all the negotiations. He is apparently in correspondence with the Manly-Warringah club and passes on the information. “I do not know who he is. I have spoken to him on the telephone, but I have never seen him.” Rangi said he had been told “roughly” of the conditions and that a contract would be mailed for him to sign. Asked if he would consider signing it, Rangi replied: “I wouldn’t turn to league at any price.” TURNED DOWN Herewini said he had already turned down one league offer from Australia when returning from the All Black tour of Britain. It was for £3500 from the Parramatta club in Sydney. The Manly representatives were understood to have seen Herewini, Rangi and T. Tataurangi in action for Auckland against the Barbarians at Eden Park on October 3. It was reported they intended making an offer to the 22-year-old second five-eighths, Tataurangi, but considered him too lightly built. It is unlikely that Herewini and Rangi would be granted clearances by the New Zealand Rugby League to play League in Australia, according to Mr R. G. McGregor, deputy-chairman of the New Zealand Rugby League. “It is unlikely that Manly club officials have made these offers as they know it is not possible for New Zealand Rugby Union players to get a clearance to play in Australia,” said Mr McGregor. Australia and New Zealand have a mutual ban on transfers and the Australian Rugby League will not register any New Zealanders who are Rugby or League players without first obtaining the permission of the New Zealand Rugby League. Both players would be eligible to play Rugby League in New Zealand. The question of whether Australian Rugby League clubs should be permitted to approach New Zealand Rugby Union players is likely to be discussed officially before the New Zealand League chiefs leave Sydney on Monday evening.