‘Rugby men for Rob' announced

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 34009, 25 November 1975, Page 5

‘Rugby men for Rob' announced

O’.Z. Press Association) jt WELLINGTON, p Some national spoiling personalities are now publicly backing the Leader of the Opposi- t tion (Mr Muldoon). < The National Party’s spokes- j man on sport. Mr Ken Comber, the M.P. for Welling- I ton Central, said that Colin Meads, lan Kirkpatrick. Bryan Williams, and Grant Batty had joined a “Rugby! men for Rob” list. The chairman of the Lawn Tennis Association (Mr I. D. Wells) and the top golfer, Stuart Jones, are also supporting Mr Muldoon for the last week of the election campaign. Mr Comber said that the four All Blacks subscribed to a statement which said: “We support Rob Muldoon and: the National Party because they support freedom of sporting exchanges.” Meads and Kirkpatrick, ' both former All Black cap-; tains, and Williams have all toured South Africa with! All Blacll and club Rugby! teams. Mr Comber in a statement said that Mr Wells came out ! at the week-end in support of Mr Muldoon and Jones—now in .South Africa with the New Zealand golf team —had indicated his support in a telegram. “The policy of no political interference in sport which the National Party bad laid down has the overwhelming support of New Zealand sportsmen,” Mr Comber said. He described the six men as the nucleus of a sporting self-defence group which, with the aid of a National government, could end the manipulation of New Zealand sport and sportsmen by politicians. He said that under a National government, the Football Association would be free to decide whether to play Taiwan (which it is scheduled to do) in either Taiwan or New Zealand. “Under a Labour government,” he said, “the draw with Taiwan could not be played anywhere.” Mr Muldoon’s only reac-

ion to the sporting group’s .upport of him tonight was, ‘l’m glad to hear it.” He denied a report in the ‘Sunday Times” which said hat prominent New Zeaanders and in particular the former National Party' leader. Sir John Marshall, would xtbliclv declare their support for Mr Muldoon this week. “I know nothing about his,” Mr Muldoon said.