Racism Seen In Rough Rugby

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30830, 16 August 1965, Page 1

Racism Seen In Rough Rugby

IST. Press Assn.—i:opuright> JOHANNESBURG, August 1-5. Paul Irwin, the Rugby correspondent of the “Johannesburg Sunday Times,” said in a report from Auckland published today that the Springboks were in the centre of one of New Zealand's biggest Rugby rows which threatened to wreck the good will built up so far by the team.

The row. according to Irwin, was sparked by incidents during and after the South Africans’ game against Northland at Whangarei on Wednesday. Irwin's report is splashed across the front page of the paper under the heading "Maoris Rough Rugby Sparks Racial Controversy That Is Unfair To South Africans Snringboks In Big N.Z. Row. Pearce Bans Maoris’ Coach From Football Ground.” ■ Irwin continues: "One result is that Mr Tom Pearce, president of the New Zealand Rugby Union, and well known in South Africa as manager of the 1960 All Blacks, refused officially to invite Mr Ted Griffin, the Northland coach, to see the Snringboks play at Eden Park.” “Yes. it is a fact that Ted Griffin is >ersona non grata with the Auckland Rugby Union of which I am also president." Mr Pearce said, according to Irwin. “Until he gives a written apology for his

comments to me after I had praised John Gainsford’s brilliant try at Whangarei last Wednesday, he will be banned officially from Eden Park, my local union headquarters.” Irwin says although Mr Pearce made no further comments “I understand that, on the face of it, it seems a per-

sona) quarrel could have widespread repercussions." “Well-informed New Zea'and Rugby men are saying •hat allegations were made ifter the Springboks played Northland that the outbreak of fighting among the players was motivated by racial bitterness “There were 10 Maoris in

the home side and two of them—front-row forwards, Lou Cook and ‘Boy’ Yates—figured prominently in many of the incidents which made the game the toughest and roughest of the Springbok tour.

“Some Northland supporters are saying that the Springboks clearly demonstrated they were colour-conscious when fighting broke out in the second half of the game. “It is also alleged that one of our players called the 2281 b Lou Cook a ‘black ' in a mix-up after lock forward Piej Goosen was kicked in the small of the back,” said Irwin.

“In the reverse, there are charges that Maori members

of the home team were told that Europeans from South Africa hated them because of their colour.

“It is certainly a fact that Ted Griffin has gone on record with a statement that the Sprinkboks started the trouble by hitting Des Webb, home captain and former All Black, a severe blow in the eye in the first scrum of the game. “He has also accused some of our forwards of biting Yates and Cook on the fingers as they went into the front row of scrummages.

“But you can also hear the Springboks’ version of the flare-up. including eye-goug-ing and deliberate kicking when our players were on the ground."