Fans urged to back tour

Press, 21 March 1981, Page 1

Fans urged to back tour

Rugby supporters were urged yesterday by the president of the New Zealand Rugby Union, Mr J. G.‘ ! Fraser, to get behind the fledgling pro-tour group, the Society for the Protection of' Individual Rights/ Mr Fraser welcomed the formation of the group, congratulated it on its- efforts; and called on those in favour of the Springboks tour of New Zealand this year to give tangible support. . “Now is the time for rugby people to express ■their support for. the tour,” he said. “This group has taken the initiative, and; it deserves, every support. I am sure the movement will spread through New Zealand and give the tour the necessary , push to ' combat opposition.” > J. Mr Fraser rejected / assertions, that the tour would harm New Zealand’s reputation. Changesin South Africa could..not come, any-quicker than at present; he said. ’ The con-„ tinuation ot' rugby links would, substantiate the development ' ’ of ; integration. . ' . After the All Blacks ..

tour of Wales last year Mr Fraser visited South Africa andmet rugby leaders of the , whites, blacks, and Coloureds’ organisations. The blacks and the Coloureds had admitted that their rugby was below the whites’ standard and this was understandable, he said. But with coaching and assistance they were raising their standard and they hoped to makj their mark on a wide, front by late 1982 or early .1983. . “But some .people are crying wolf because they do not understand these things,” said Mr Fraser. Coloureds and blacks . now had representatives on the South African . Rugby- Board and; .Mr Douglas Dyers, a Coloured and a leading, coaching figure,. was a Springbok selector. ... The. achieved so;:, far was i mainly;; the; work <of Dr DariieCraven, , chairman of the South African Rugby; < Board, whose mana; was .. .high with blacks, whites,, and Coloureds > alike; j'.His: perseverance ’with the Gov-' ■ ernmeht had ensured' that' changes were taking-place.