Broadhurst dispute deepens

Press, 10 February 1981, Page 30

Broadhurst dispute deepens

By

JOHN COFFEY

Mark Broadhurst intends to impose his own restrictions on his rugby league career if the code’s national council refuses to allow him to transfer to the ManlyWarringah Club in Sydney this year. But the outstanding Kiwi front-row forward does not plan to sit on the side-lines for the whole season, as implied in the February 8 editin of the “Sunday News.”

Broadhurst, in fact, was training with the Marist-. Western Suburbs squad last Sunday morning, and he said yesterday that he would be available for that club if the New Zealand Rugby League demands that he stay in this country for the coming winter. •

He is however, determined hot to play for New Zealand i the two . home .tests

against the French tourists, and. would not wish to be considered for Canterbury or the South Island. ? "There would not be much point in. representing ■ Canterbury or the South Island if I was not available for New Zealand;” Broadhurst, said. “I would only be doing someone else but’ of a .chance to make the Kiwi team.” He did concede, though, that fie could be persuaded to don the Canterbury jersey if circumstances left ’the provincial side short of quality forwards;. “But my attitude in regard to New Zealand is final. I just could not be bothered trying for the if my transfer ’ is blocked,” Broadhurst said. ; The hurdle barring \ Broadhurst’s path to Manly is a contract that he signed before travelling to Britain and

, France with the successful ’ Kiwi team last year. It rer quires him to give one year of service to his club, prov5 ince and country. , Ironically, both Broadhurst [ and the Manly • secretary* r manager (Mr Ken Arthur- [ son) were keen for- the . strapping prop to be re- , leased ..for the tests against France and to have such a clause included Jn his con- >’ J' 5 Mr Ross Williams, the ' secretary of the New Zea--5 land Rugby League, said ' from Auckland yesterday that Broadhurst’s transfer 1 application, supported by [ clearances from Marist and 1 Canterbury, Would be disr cussed at the council’s next ■ meeting on February 18. . The -council, however, has . already reaffirmed its policy i that the 1980 Kiwis are ob- ■ liged to remain in New Zea-. ! land fins year,’ ‘Mr •Williams

i said. It was “fairly adamant” in” that view and the arrival, of the official document: is. unlikely to cause anychange. No . future plans were • made between Broadhurst and Mr Arthurson in their i discussions . concerning a contract for 1981. ‘ “This ■ might be 'my only opportunity to get into the big league in Sydney. If I wait until next year the council will probably have another, contract' for me to sign. I think I have given enough service to justify a release,” Broadhurst said. The matter to him is now urgent. Manly had its first pre-season trial against Cootmundra last week-end and . the club wants him to be in Sydney by February 28.”'Even then he will be conceding his rivals two or three games in his bid for a first'grade position.