Denholm can play in S.A. – Mr Don

Press, 29 March 1979, Page 34

Denholm can play in S.A. - Mr Don

NZPA London The Auckland prop Greg Denholm had a right to play in South Africa with the World Invitation XV, said the New Zealand Rugby Football Union councillor Ron Don yesterday. Mr Don, who is also chairman of the Auckland union, «aid from Durban that Den:iolm had been cleared by the Auckland union to plry in Australia, South Africa, and England, “As far as the Auckland union is concerned he can ‘ play,” said Mr Don. “And 1 1 know of no rule which says that a player must also have the permission of the New Zealand union to play overseas.” Mr Don was commenting on attempts by the New Zealand union to have Denholm and the Manawatu flanker Kevin Eveleigh banned from playing on the rest of the tour because they were not among the six New Zealanders given approval to play in South Africa. The tour was organised by the Northern Transvaal Rugby Union. Mr Don said he was not in South Africa representing the New' Zealand union. “If they want to ban players that’s a South African problem, not mine. But if 'they want to ask my advice or if they want to involve

Ime in their talks then I’ll try and help. "But if anything happens ito upset this tour it wrnuld be a tragedy. The tour is creating a tremendous amount of good will. If the New Zealand union bans these players New Zealand's name would be mud.” The banning moves apparently got under way last week in London w'hen Mr Blazey met Professor Eloff and the president of the South African board (Danie Craven). It is believed that Mr Blazey told Dr Craven that the New Zealand union was not happy at the invitation to the two extra players. An order to the World XV coach, Brian Lochore, not io pick either Eveleigh or Denholm for the rest of the tour was later given by Dr Craven, who apparently had carried Mr Blazey’s request to the Northern Transvaal union.

John Clifford, chairman of the Manawatu union, said that Eveleigh had applied in the usual manner for permission to play overseas and as he had no outstanding commitments with his club the application had been passed on to the New Zealand union for its confirmation.

Any action was a matter for the New Zealand union.