Rugby claim possible

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33189, 31 March 1973, Page 14

Rugby claim possible

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND. March 30. If the Government cancelled the Springbok tour after its delay in announcing a decision, there could be a valid claim for compensation, the chairman of the Auckland Rugby Union (Mr R. Don) said today. The annual meeting in Wellington when representative matches for the season are finally arranged is now less than three weeks away. The scheduling of these matches is dependdent on the Government’s decision on the Springbok tour. Asked if the Auckland Rugby Union would seek

financial compensation if the tour was cancelled, Mr Don said: “In my opinion the only way the tour will be stopped is by a specific order from the Government. It therefore must follow that not only the New Zealand Rugby Union but also every union with matches scheduled against the Springboks, will have a valid claim against the Government for compensation. “In Auckland, not only the Auckland Rugby Union but also the Eden Park Board of Control would lose heavily. For some years now the board has taken into account the estimated income from this

year’s Springbok tour in its forward budgeting. “The present No. 7 stand contract at Eden Park for almost $lOO,OOO was to have been substantially financed from the board’s share of revenue from the matches played by the Springboks on Eden Park.” FOOTNOTE: The Lions tour in 1971 brought in almost $1,000,000 and the net profit was $294,320. On the basis of these figures, it would appear that the New Zealand Rugby Union and its provincial unions might press a claim for about $300,000 from the Government should the tour be cancelled.