Defiant tour stand by Rugby Union

Press, 30 May 1981, Page 1

Defiant tour stand by Rugby Union

From

JOHN BROOKS.

rugby reporter . in Wellington The New Zealand Rugby Union has hit back at criticism by the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa over the coming Springbok tour. In a defiant demonstration of its stance on the controversial South African Rugby visit, the union’s council reacted spiritedly to a letter from the Supreme Council’s secretary-general. Mr Amadou Lamine. to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Mr Talboys) appealing for the cancellation of the tour. That reaction had its sequel in Wellington last evening when at a press conference Mr C. A. Blazey, the Rugby Union council’s chairman, released the text of a letter he had written to Mr Taiboys. Mr Blazey said he was taking the unusual step of releasing the text of the letter before it had been received, because he was aware of the interest in the tour question.

Particular issue was taken by Mr Blazey over Mr Lamirie’s statement that if the tour went ahead, the African body would conclude that the New Zealand Government was insensitive to world opinion and tacitly approved the sports policies of the South African Government. “We will then not. forget to take note,” the letter said. Mr Blazey said statements of that type were. blatantly intimidatory. “We cannot accept them as a basis for making decisions.”, he said. “They are saying in effect

that if you have the tour you will be in trouble. They don’t say precisely what this will be. I have no doubt that that is intimidation or attempted intimidation.” In his letter to Mr Taiboys, Mr Blazey said the Rugby Union’s function was to administer an amateur sport, and it did not seek to change a political situation in any country. “We are concerned that you should suggest that we have not acted responsibly in exercising our democratic rights," he wrote.

In view of the contacts with South Africa by sportsmen of so many other countries, the campaign against New Zealand and rugby in particular was clearly discriminatory. the letter said.

“All member countries (of the International Rugby Board) have continued their tours with South Africa except where their governments have made it impossible for them to do so. They believe as we do that sports boycotts, which in any event are ineffective, should not be used to solve political situations.”

Also from Wellington the Press Association reported that the Springbok tour was indirectly referred to by top rugby officials at a Parliamentary reception held for the Scottish team in the Beehive yesterday.' Replying to a speech of welcome to the team by the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon), the manager of the Scottish side, Mr Ken Smith, said he was a great believer in contact between peoples.

“I think it is much easier to solve your problems with a man by meeting him face to face rather than meeting him at arm’s length,” he said. Top sportsmen should be allowed to continue moving freely throughout the world. Replying on behalf of the New • Zealand Rugby Union, the president, Mr John Gifford, said rugby was a wond-

erful means of creating understanding between nations. “It brings people together regardless of their race or colour,” Mr Gifford said. The speech of welcome on behalf of the Opposition was made by the member of Parliament for Yaldhurst, Mr M. A. Connelly. Mr Connelly' apologised for the non-attendance of the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Rowling).