AUCKLAND ERRS Matter of principle

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32708, 10 September 1971, Page 22

AUCKLAND ERRS Matter of principle

(By

J. K. BROOKS)

The Auckland Rugby Union’s ethics must come under close scrutiny in the light of its approval of the selection of B. G. Williams as left wing for the Ranfurly Shield match against Counties at Eden Park tomorrow. ? Williams was not avails able for the North Island team because he was required to sit examinations in Auckland tomorrow morning. , But with three other players in the North Island side, and two unavailable because of injury, Auckland has pressed him into service for the shield game.

The New Zealand Rugby Union has laid down a list of priorities for players, and the inter-island match takes precedence over in-ter-provincial games. Williams, having declared himself unavailable for the North Island, was not strictly in a position to accept selection for Auckland on the same day. The Auckland union will probably say that as Williams was required to be in Auckland on Saturday morning, it was only logical to take advantage of Ws presence for the shield game in the afternoon. It realises full well that Counties might prove to be a troublesome challenger, and that Williams’s match - winning qualities will be needed. But If ! the New Zealand body does not step in, Auckland will have been allowed to create a dangerous precedent

At a lower level, the Canterbury union has had problems in the past with players who have declined to play for a provincial team so that they can appear for their club side in a vital competition fixture. Williams, a grand sportsman, is the innocent party in the Auckland union’s move; he has a genuine reason for not playing for the North Island. But his union would be well advised to review its stand in the matter. The shield means a lot to the holder, but not to the extent that principles are sacrificed.