Early demand for rugby test tickets

Press, 29 April 1981, Page 6

Early demand for rugby test tickets

More than 2000 overseas applications had been received for tickets to the Christchurch test against the Springboks later this year, the tickets chairman. Mr R. W. Thomas, told a meeting last evening of the Canterbury Rugby Union. Such early interest was greater than he could ever recall for'a major tour, he added. There had also been a large number of applications for media accreditation and these came from Australia as well as South Africa. Earlier the union had received one letter of thanks from a school headmaster for the complimentary season’s ticket he had received, while another headmaster returned his ticket because of the Springbok tour. The headmaster of Papanui High School sent his ticket back and he went further than any of the other headmasters who had previously taken this action. He also returned a complimentary copy of Larrv Saunders’ history of Canterburyrugby.

A letter was received from a Christchurch family offering to provide-transport and accommodation'for the Springboks during their time‘in Christchurch if either should be denied them because of industrial faction.

The manager of the Canterbury team, which played three matches in Australia last week. Mr Merv

Barnett, reported that, the trip had been more successful than the record of a win and two losses might suggest. “The team played far better than. in. truth, I expected it would and was, in fact, quite magnificent in the second half of the Queensland match. There were times when it reminded me of some of the great, Canterbury siqes of the past," said Mr Barnett. 1 He suggested that if such a tour was undertaken again inithe near future that it might be wise to take two more players than thb 19 that were in the party this tithe. "Nineteen might .be alright if there is an easy mid-week game, , but we faced three very’, strong sides and could have done with two more players,” he said. L The meeting spent a long time discussing abuses .of player fpasses to the union’s three charge grounds. It was decided that in '.future players without passes would have to pay and it wgs also decided to ciamp down oh long-term ticketholders at Lancaster ’ Park who were using their Lancaster Park passes to get into other grounds. A letter was abo received from a Rugby Park patron who Complained about the public; address system. She also made the unusual request that the main stand at the ground be restricted . to' nonsmokers.