Rough Rugby? “Tommy Rot"

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31344, 14 April 1967, Page 15

Rough Rugby? “Tommy Rot"

WELLINGTON.

Leading administrators challenged reports of rough play on the British Lions’ tour last year when the New Zealand Rugby Union held its annual meeting yesterday.

Mr T. C. Morrison, chairman of the council, apparently forgetting that last season he spoke out strongly after the Auckland game, said that some reports on rough play were distorted and it was unfair to brand New Zealand for rough play. Mr H. C. Blazey, the retiring president, Mr C. G. Gibbons (Wellington), the incoming president, supported Mr Morrison. Mr Blazey said a good deal

had been said last year about incidents in the lions’ matches, and a lot of it was exaggerated. “We have always had this, but it is by no means confined to New Zealand," he added.

“Tommy rot” was Mr Gibbous’s comment on reports of illegal tactics and rough play. “In the 320 minutes of Rugby in the four tests there was only one incident. “In New Zealand we play it hard and play it to win. I am not going to say New Zealand players started some of the rough stuff last year. One really could say to visiting teams that they can expect hard play from New Zealand and that they should do as we do. “It has been said that we

take the game too seriously. We do take it seriously, and I prefer it that way rather than have any complacency coming into our game. LACK OF SKILL

“Perhaps we do have too much emphasis on forward play, but I think that is only wrong when the backs are sacrificed for the sake of the forwards. “There is a lack of skill in our backs and too many backs have a negative approach to the game.” Mr Gibbons said that New Zealand must not be complacent about Rugby. “There are far more distractions for young men. Soccer has been given an impetus by television. Soccer is a very

good game and we have to be aware of what is going on. “Young men now can go ski-ing, do winter surfing and there are cults being cultivated, some of which to us are very queer.” Mr J. N. Millard, who was made a life member yesterday and has had 52 years active association with Rugby, said that New Zealand often had been accused of taking the game too seriously. . UNETHICAL CONDUCT

“When I managed the 195354 All Blacks in Britain, I did not see too much of ihe result doesn’t matter’ attitude from the British. “There is never any excuse for any unethical conduct on the field,” said Mr Millard. “If it does happen, however, administrators and referees must step in immediately and take strong action. We have a duty to stand behind our referees.”

Mr C. A Blazey said that the International Rugby Board had been concerned enough about rough play to issue a statement recently.

“No one wants to see some of the things that happen in Rugby, but I am sure only a very few players cause trouble and they must be dealt with.”