Protest by supporter

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33944, 10 September 1975, Page 18

Protest by supporter

A man who described himself as a staunch [Canterbury Rugby enthusiast and supporter for 10 years has turned in his season ticket for Lancaster Park as a protest against Fergie McCormick’s petulance in the North Auckland game on August 30.

j The management commitI tee of the Canterbury Rugby Union last evening received [the ticket and a covering letjter from Mr R. H. Hammond, I a foundation member of the :Canterbury Rugby Supporters’ Club. “I have never witnessed a i more sickening display of ill- ! tempered Rugby as was indulged in by a once great [Canterbury footballer and [full-back on Saturday last, ‘and I shall never attend another Canterbury game as [long as he is chosen to represent Canterbury,” Mr HamImond wrote. i His letter was written be[fore McCormick was dropped

[from the side for the match: against Taranaki. “The time to put your (house in order is long over-j : due. but this can only cornel ‘when the referees do their' (job and you give them the backing and support reiquired,” he wrote. I Mr B. J. Drake took issue .with this paragraph of Mr< I Hammond’s letter. “He is entitled to his , opinions, but 1 don’t like the reference to the referee,” he said. “I thought he (Mr T. F. Doocey) made an excellent job of refereeing the game.” McCormick might wind up hii Rugby for the season by playing opposite the present All Black full back, Joe Karam. McCormick is one of seven Canterbury players invited to (play in a game between the (Centurions and a Horowhenua (invitation XV at Paraparaumu on September 28. Karam, who plays for Paraparaumu, is likely to be the: invitation team’s full-back, and McCormick will probably appear I for the Centurions OTHER PLAYERS I The other Canterbury players [ (invited are Lyn Davis, Alex iWyllie, Tane Norton, Bill Bush,: i Terry Mitchell, and Kerry Tan i 'ner. '

, The match will be placed or I the day after the Canterbury v Wellington game at Athletic Park. It is to mark the opening of Paraparaumu’s new club • rooms. | The management committee gave its approval for the players to appear in the game, but said the Horowhenua union would have to pay the extra transport costs. The chairman (Mr C. H. J Rhodes, reported that Lancaster . Park oval had recovered well after recent wet weather, and it was expected that the playing area would be in good condition for the North-South match. ... ” Vj e F’ eat her remains fine, there should be a good game of Rugby on Saturday; the ground should be hard and fast for both teams.’’ he said. .Mr G ’.. G ' D° n B ave an under taking that the storm-damaged No. 4 stand would be roofed and weather proofed in time for the big match. The national council member on the committee, Mr R W Thomas, said there was no doubt that the national Inter provincial competition would take place next year. I Ev ,® r 5! unlon in the country would be visited by members of [the sub-committee which Is for ing 5 plan for compe'“on: and a H would be given ;the chance to make submissions, (he said. ( “I am confident that it will be la pretty exciting contest, and aTJT «xpressions of opinion I I, * heard, unions appear to be [looking forward to if