Second All Black out

Press, 22 November 1980, Page 1

Second All Black out

NZPA Auckland Bruce Robertson the senior back of the All Blacks, has followed the lead of his captain, Graham Mourie, and will not play against the Springboks next winter. Ret rtson, who stayed in Britain after the All Blacks’ tour of Wales, arrived at Auckl. nd yesterday. He said he would represent neither his province, Counties, nor the All Blacks against the South Africans. Robertson said that he became disillusioned with apartheid during the All Blacks’ tour of South Africa in 1976. Although <-nme progress had been made recently, he believed the image of multi-racial rugby in South Africa was largely cosmetic. “Multi-racial teams have fixtures against main touring teams and that trend must be encouraged,” said Robertson. “But I feel until there is multi-racial rugby at every level, especially at the grassroots, I cannot support the present system.” Robertson said he respected the views of his team-mates who have said they would play against the Springboks. “1.. will still play with them otherwise,” he said. “They have their; views and .I have mine.” An A.F.P. agency report from Johannesburg says that the New Zealand Rugby Union’s president, Mr J.’ Fraser, came out in favour of next year’s scheduled Springbok tour

of his country, in a television interview yesterday. Mr Fraser, who is in Johannesburg for a holiday tour of South Africa, said he did not see any reason why the tour should not take place. He said the refusal of the All Black captain, Graham Mourie, to »lay against the South African side was not likely to have any adverse effect on the planned tour ;<nc should not, in any event, affect the New Zealand Rugby Union’s invitation to the Springboks.

Mr Fraser conceded t»<at there would probably be “problems” from persons or groups opposed to spotts contacts with South Africa, but said he did no* thi, k the New Zealand Government would intervene to prevent the Rugo.v Union from going ahead with its plans. Mr Fraser said the New Zea and public was in favour of a Springbok tour in 1981.