’Boks Shifted After Hotel Ultimatum

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30783, 22 June 1965, Page 17

’Boks Shifted After Hotel Ultimatum

[From I. J D. HALL, Rugby Reporter oj “The Press”]

BRISBANE.

I he discontent that has been smouldering in the Springbok team since its arrival in Sydney because of lack of entertainment, poor refereeing and the loss of two matches erupted today when the Springbok management insisted that better accommodation be found for the team in Brisbane.

After an ultimatum had been delivered to the Australian Rugby Union that the team would walk out of its hotel, the team was changed to the best hotel in Brisbane.

The change of hotels will cost another £l4OO which will be paid by the Australian Rugby Union.

The Springbok manager. Mr) J, F. Louw, had no other! comment today except that! the change of hotels had been J approved by the Australian union. The trouble was because of overcrowding. In some rooms there were

three players with only one! wardrobe and limited drawer space.

Somewhat upset after their two defeats, the team was not in a happy mood when it arrived at Brisbane and the accommodation presented to them appeared to be the last straw. Trams In Morning Things were not improved; when they were wakened | about 5 a.m. by the rattling ; Br.sbane trams. The team) met last evening and this; morning Mr Louw discussed the situation with Australian! Rugby officials. After the first meeting the' press was told that no decision had been made but imme-j diately Mr Louw went to the

leading Brisbane hotel to try and arrange accommodation. Australian officials thought that the Springboks would not walk out of the hotel be-

cause it would give them bad : publicity. How'ever. Mr Louw is im- | placable when the interests of his team are concerned

and, partly in jest, he suggested that if better accommodation was not provided then the Springboks might forego the second test. Shortly afterwards, the change in hotels was made. Asked if the difficulties encountered so far on the Australian tour could jeopardise the proposed tour of Australia by South Africa in 1970, Mr Louw said that would not be the case—“every tour is a separate issue. I will be making my report at the end of the tour but that is all 1 can say at present.” It is an unfortunate situation that has arisen. Losing teams are always regarded with some suspicion when they start complaining, particularly about referees and then accommodation. And it is certain that the Springboks will not have won friends during the last few days. However. they have justification. The Australian Rugby Union has not been liberal in the matter of entertainment for the players and the refereeing has been suspect. On Sunday, before the team left for Brisbane. Mr Louw discussed all these matters with Mr C. Blunt, secretary of the Australian union and the president, Mr W. Ramsden. Afterwards it was felt that matters had been ironed out.

But the Brisbane hotel changed all that. {First Eruption, P6j