Hegarty poses a problem

Press, 15 November 1977, Page 36

Hegarty poses a problem

From

JOHN BROOKS

The presence of the former Petone and Wellington wing, Brian Hegarty, among the All Blacks in France raises a ticklish point for rugby administrators.

If Hegarty plays as a replacement at Angouleme where do the All Blacks stand in relation to their amateur status?

The New Zealand Rugby Union has unswervingly maintained that its players cannot receive financial reward for their labours. But French rugby has long been suspected of being semi-pro-fessional in nature and Hegarty has had three years with the Biarritz club.

The script of a recent Television One programme on Hegarty said that players receive 400 francs (about SNZB4) for a game — 250 francs tor an appearance and 150 francs as a bonus for winning. This, said the commentary, was in addition to

the receiving of fringe benefits such as certain trade concessions.

If this is so Hegarty could disqualify 14 All Blacks if he was to get a run at Angouleme. But it is a case of the heart not grieving for what the eye cannot see. Andy Haden, a regular member of the present New Zealand side, once played for the southern French club, Tarbes.

The loophole as far as New Zealand rugby is concerned is that the authority; on professionalism is the’ International Rugby Board. And France is not a member of this body. There is another interesting point over Hegarty’s status whether he can be regarded as an All Black. Mr R. M. Don, the New Zealand manager, said he had given no thought to the technicalities of the situation but he presumed Hegarty would not become an official New Zealand representative unless he came on the field as a replacement.