Explanation by Mr Vodanovich

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32639, 22 June 1971, Page 18

Explanation by Mr Vodanovich

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON. Because he was extremely disturbed by the vicious punching in the Canterbury match and because he did not want to be accused of sour grapes if he delayed his statement, the chairman of the New Zealand Rugby selection panel (Mr I. M. H. Vodanovich) chose to make his sharp outburst about the forward tactics of the British Lions a week before the first test

Mr Vodanovich said In an Interview yesterday that he had harboured these feelings about the Lions asking for trouble by lying on the nick ball for some considerable time. The shameful fighting that took place at Lancaster Park last Saturday persuaded him to express his thoughts on the matter, he said.

"I did not want to be accused of sour grapes If the British Isles side beats us in the first

test next Saturday. I had to comment on the nullifying tactics they adopt in the rucks. I felt obliged to say what I had to say now and not later,” stated Mr Vodanovich.

He added that he had used the term “Passehendaele” deliberately so that his comments would have impact. “We have no intention of fighting, kicking or punching, next Saturday. The New Zealand side will be told to play clean Rugbv and we will use 15-man attack to achieve it.”

Mr Vodanovich said he was deeply grieved about the punching that went on during the Canterbury game, and he shuddered to think what would happen should there be a re-enact-ment at Carisbrook. . “I am quite convinced that the Lions have been killing play by illegally lying on the ball in the rucks, and last Saturday the Canterbury forwards rightfully adopted the attitude of rucking the man off the ball. Because of this rucking, tempers became inflamed and the punching started. It was inevitable and could have been avoided had the Lions forward got clear of the ball as the law stipulates ” The New Zealand coach added that an opposing forward had to expect to be rucked off the ball if he persisted in lying on it.

“This is not Rugby”

"If this had happened m a soccer match tn England thev would have closed the ground (? r S® J!? xt .. three “»“ths.” said Mr Morgan, the former Welsh and British I*l** international Rugby player when Interviewed on a sports programme on CHTV3 last evening. Mr Morgan arrived In New Zealand last week to do television commentaries.

“This first game I saw in New Zealand upset me, and I felt like catching a plane home, but I know I will see some great playera and meet old friends, he said. "I was a little bit terrified. There were many good players on the Canterbury side with talent which could have been used, but it developed into a war of attrition. This is not Rugby to me,” said Mr Morgan.

_”NIGGLY INCIDENTS” "Th® incidents and stupidity upset me. I am not concerned whose fault it was because the game of Rugby is bigger than any man or any country. “If It becomes a matter of national prestige to hammer hell out of someone else, the game is finished,” Mr Morgan said He regretted players on both sides were not able to play to their full ability. “It was a tragedy for Canterbury. If 1 had been a Lion I would have been worried after 20 minutes because Canterbury had the game going well. “I don’t think it will happen again in the test. There are too many great players taking part in it The whole future of Rugby depends on what happens in the next 10 years,” said Mr Morgan.