Rugby told television might cripple unions

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32873, 23 March 1972, Page 22

Rugby told television might cripple unions

(New Zealand Press Association;

DUNEDIN.

“If you are prepared to run the risk of crippling financially the 26 unions in New Zealand, then ask for direct televising of matches in this country,” Mr G. K. Saxton, chairman of the Otago Rugby Union and council member of the N.Z.R.F.U., said yesterday.

Mr Saxton was speaking to delegates from the Otago subunions at their annual meeting in Dunedin.

Questions had been asked by delegates why there was not greatfir coverage of Rugby on television and what was the reason for the objec-

tion by the national union to direct telecasts.

‘Tor a beginning,” said Mr Saxton, “the decision not to allow direct telecasts of Rugby was a unanimous one made by delegates of all members of all unions, not the 17 men on the national council.” Mr Saxton said the N.Z.R.F.U. had started to make a study of the effects television could have on the game in this country long before television came to New Zealand.

“The study commenced while the 1953-54 All Blacks were in Britain,” he said, “and the study is still continuing.”

Mr Saxton then outlined some of the discoveries made, among them the fact that where direct telecasts had been made of major events in several realms of

sport, attendances had suffered. "Australian rules had allowed live telecasts of matches for a year and then had decided to withdraw permission because of falling attendances. SOCCER’S EXAMPLE

"Soccer in Britain had re- ! corded similar circumstances, 1 while when England played s Wales at Twickenham a few ! years ago there was a live ! telecast of that game when 1 Llanelli and Coventry, the top Rugby clubs in Wales and England, respectively, were playing at Llanelli. “It was expected that 30,000 spectators would be present at the inter-club game between these champion teams, but the gate takings did not even cover the costs.

The N.Z.R.F.U. had been attempting to get more time on television, he added, and last season the coverage given by the N.Z.B.C. was greater than the season before.

"And the Nevz Zealand union makes no charge for films made of games played in this country and screened on television. The corporation is allowed to film tests and other games so long as it does not screen them before a stipulated time on Saturday night.”