Default threat by Wgtn withdrawn

Press, 27 August 1977, Page 6

Default threat by Wgtn withdrawn

By

JOHN COFFEY

A threat by the Wellington Rugby League to withdraw from the national semi-final of the Rothmans tournament, against Canterbury at the Show Grounds on "September 4, was withdrawn only 48 hours after it made. Mr D. Gaynor, the secre-tary-manager of the Canterbury league, said yesterday that he had contacted the code’s national president (Mr R. McGregor) after hearing of a possible default by Wellington and was informed that the matter had been re-' solved. Wellington’s reluctance to continue in the competition arose from a change of date. The semi-final was originally scheduled for next Saturday but was put back one day to avoid a clash with the other semi-final between Auckland and Waikato at Auckland. In a letter to the N.Z.R.L., the Wellington secretary (Mr (B. Wood) said that his administration had not been consulted, other than receiving notification of the “astounding news” by means of a circular to all provinces. ) “The purpose of this letter is to advise you that, with al. due respect, Wellington I will play Canterbury on the [Saturday and no other date,” I wrote Mr Wood.

I “We have had our plane (booking for early Saturday (for three months, and at the old fare prices. In addition, we have a commitment to play West Coast at Greymouth on the Sunday, that game having been confirmed 'two weeks ago. “Now we are really perturbed that the national council, in the middle of the school holidays, can suggest a changed date only a few days before the game is due (to take place.” I The letter concluded with a request that the match reIvert to next Saturday, or ; Wellington “will be forced to default the game. Perhaps Taranaki (which was eliminated by Wellington in the! regional final) can take our| place on the Sunday.” ■

> With Auckland strongly favoured to beat Waikatc. > the winner of the fixture be , tween Canterbury and Wei- > lington will almost certainly be included, with Auckland, : in the draw for the 1978 I Amco Cup tournament in Australia. If Canterbury is successii ful, the Rothmans final is ' I likely to be held under '(floodlights ai Carlaw Park Jon the evening of Tuesday, ,(September 20. That date has been allocated by the Auckland league, although I I Canterbury would prefer a Wednesday night, either (September 14 or 21. because ('many members of its representative squad will be in- . volved in the Canterbury jelub championship final on i September 18.