Rugby coach back

Press, 23 June 1978, Page 24

Rugby coach back

Laurie O’Reilly is back coaching the University A senior rugby team, almost seven weeks after he resigned in protest at the attitude of the Canterbury Rugby Union over its handling of a dispute with the University Club.

The dispute concerned the movement of non-registered senior players between the club’s A and B senior sides and was, after some time, settled amicably. However, at the time, Mr O’Reilly re-

signed because of what he described as personal antagonism towards him. Since then Mr O’Reilly has been busy coaching lower-grade University sides, but last week returned to the senior side and he confirmed yesterday that his partnership with Morrie Collins, as joint coach of the A side, had been restored. Mr O’Reilly was reluctant to discuss his reasons for making himself available again, conceding only that

some pressure had been brought to bear. He said he would be quite happy to let the matter rest and to get on with the job of helping University win a place in the top four and then to go on and retain the C.S.B. Trophy. The University club-cap* tain; Mr Ivan Bolton, confirmed that pressure had been put on Mr O’Reilly to resume his association with the A team. It came, he said, from both club and union officials, but most of all from the players. “We are certainly pleased to have him back,” said Mr Bolton. “Mr O’Reilly is a very gifted coach and there are a number of spin-offs to a club when its senior team is being well coached. And with no disrespect to Morrie Collins, I am sure the players are much happier.”