SILENCE SURROUNDS RUGBY TOUR

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31615, 28 February 1968, Page 13

SILENCE SURROUNDS RUGBY TOUR

well aware of * the delicate political nuances that are in attendance for the projected tour of South Africa by the All Blacks in 1970, New Zealand Rugby officials are becoming rather perturbed at the lack of communication from the South African Rugby Board.

Since August, 1965, when Dr Verwoerd made his Loksop Dam speech, which effectively barred Maoris from touring South Africa with an All Black team, there have been varied developments in South Africa on the international sporting scene.

Last year the South African Prime Minister, Mr Vorster, gave a hint of a liberal attitude towards teams which included non-white players touring the Union. Once 1970 had been established as the possible year in which to tour, New Zealand Rugby officials adopted a patient policy. They were well aware of the political problems which a New Zealand team, possibly with Maoris in it, might have to face—not only in South Africa, but also from groups within New Zealand . But the wait-and-see policy of New Zealand officials is beginning to impose some strains. At the end of 1967, Mr Vorster’s more liberal policy was shown when the deputy Prime Minister (Mr Marshall) was able to say that after talks with Mr Vorster there seemed no effective bar to Maoris being included in any All Black team that would play in South Africa. To New Zealand Rugby officials this was mana.

But since that announcement in December, 1967, the New Zealand Rugby Union has been left completely in the dark. The South African Rugby Board has said nothing officially and, according to Mr T. C. Morrison, chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union, has said nothing unofficially. Most New Zealand Rugby officials regarded the voting on the inclusion of South Africa in the 1968 Olympics

as the test of whether the All Blacks, with Maoris, would tour in 1970. The New Zealand Rugby Union has received no advice, official or otherwise, about the tour since the decision to admit South Africa to the Olympics. From the unofficial grapevine it seems that a fully representative New Zealand team will be invited to tour South Africa in 1970. What is worrying the New Zealand Rugby Union is that there seems to be some lack of liaison between the South African Government and the South African Rugby Board.