N.Z. Action Defended

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31112, 15 July 1966, Page 15

N.Z. Action Defended

“As chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union I am responsible for ensuring that the All Blacks assemble in time for a test match and I have no doubt that it was correct to have the All Blacks in Dunedin on Wednesday,’’ said Mr T. C. Morrison last evening.

He had been asked whether th fact that the All Blacks had assembled about 72 hours before the match contravened the International Rugby Board’s regulations which say that 48 hours was a reasonable time.

The manager of the Lions (Mr D. J. O’Brien) said that he was “surprised” to know that the All Blacks had assembled on Wednesday and “surprised” that they had a run on that day. But when questioned he said that the New Zealand Union had followed the regulations which also allowed ex ceptions to the 48 hours in cases of climatic and travelling conditions. Apparently there was quite a flurry in the Lions camp on Wednesday when it was known that the All Blacks already had assembled at Dunedin. Winter Air Traffic Mr Morrison gave the reasons for the All Blacks assembling in Dunedin on Wednesday. “First, we are not bound by the actions of the Home Unions who follow the 48-hour restriction. “Second, we have to take into account the fact that in New Zealand winter air traffic can easily be disrupted.

“I can remember in 1955 having an AU Black team finally get together on the night before the game: two years ago a South Island team arrived on the morning of the match. “As for the All Blacks training on Wednesday, all they did was have a run. Surely if players arrive after a long flight and want to stretch their legs they can do so. As chairman, 1 must say that I support that wholeheartedly.” Trained In Seclusion Although the Lions may have been upset about the AU Blacks arriving on Wednesday they might also think about their own situation. The test team went to Queenstown on Tuesday—about 96 hours before the test—and trained there in seclusion until, yesterday. The International Board regulations, to which the Lions are a party, say: “In the true spirit of amateur Rugby a team should assemble before a test in as short a time as possible.” The action of the Lions, at their own request, in going to Queenstown is as much "going into camp” as the AU Blacks arriving at Dunedin on a Wednesday.