THREAT DENIED

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32343, 8 July 1970, Page 1

THREAT DENIED

(N.Z.P.A, Staff Correspondent) JOHANNESBURG, July 7. The All Black manager (Mr R. L. Burk), today denied that he had threatened to send home the All Black involved in the Piet Visagie Incident, as alleged in this morning’s Afrikaanslanguage newspaper, “Die Transvaler.” The newspaper said the player had been warned that if he contravene' again he would go home. It also said that the spectacles of Visagie, the Springbok flyhalf were broken in the incident outside an Upington dance hall when the All

Black is alleged to have struck him end that the incident had “something to do with politics.” The paper said the incident was used by the All Black management to warn one or two players “interested in politics.” The article was under the byline of Neil Steyn who reported the New Zealand trials for “Die Transvaler.” Mr Burk said that the All Black had been reprimanded but “I categorically deny I threatened him he could be sent home.” Mr Burk said he had noticed no players showing

an “undue interest” in politics ... “The inference that other players have been misbehaving is unfair. I have never had to speak to any others.” The “Rand Daily Mail” reported today that two blows were struck in the incident It claimed that the All Black hit Visagie in the face and one of Visagie’s team-mates then punched the All Black on the chin. Asked by reporters whether the name of the All Black should be issued in the interests of the other players, Mr Burk said this morning he would definitely not be named at this stage.