’Boks’ movements kept secret

Press, 27 July 1981, Page 6

’Boks’ movements kept secret

From

KEVIN McMENAMIN

The departure time and destination of the Springboks from Hamilton remains unknown.

The New Zealand Rugby Union’s liaison officer with the team, Mr R. C. Stuart, said last evening that no decision had been made on when the team would leave. He expected a decision 'within the next 24 hours."

Mr Stuart is a member of the Rugby Union’s council. He said that he did not know if he would attend the council meeting that the chairman. Mr C. A. Blazey, had called.

“It will depend on when it is and how I am placed in regard to my position with the team.’’ said Mr Stuart.

The heavy security which has surrounded the team’s hotel in recent days was virtually lifted yesterday. There was a small group of protesters present for a time in the morning, but they had gone by mid-afternoon. If the Springboks do move on to their next playing venue, New Plymouth, today, it will probably be by a charter flight: which was always the intended mode of transport. Waikato people turned up in force yesterday to help with the cleaning up of Rugby Park. The local president, Mr C. R. Gillies, estimated the cost of repairing the damaged fences at $6OOO. There is no insurance cover. Preparing the ground for Saturday's match cost the Waikato union about $15,000.

Damaged vehicles were towed away, and Mr Gillies said he was heartened by the offers from the suppliers to

make good the repairs themselves. ,

It will probably be some days before all the carpet tacks are removed from the main field. A magnetic sweeper is likely to be used. Mr Gillies said he was confident that the ground would be back to normal well before Waikato’s first Ranfurly Shield challenge of the season, from Otago, on Saturday. Meanwhile, the attacks on the news media associated with the tour which began at Rugby Park on Saturday have continued. A number o'f journalists, whose names or faces are well known, have been subjected to strong abuse from people who believe they are partly responsible for the failure‘of Saturday’s match to get under way. Three photographers have successfully obtained permission from their employers to return home. About 40 protesters who turned up at New Plymouth Airport to see the Springboks arrive at 8.55 a.m. yesterday, met only a similar number of pro-tour people there, the Press Association reported.

The two groups were told by the police that the team would not arrive as scheduled. As they moved away from the terminal, a minor skirmish broke out, the anti-tour people being pelted with eggs. One protour person also grappled with a television camera. - ■

The small crowd quickly dispersed, but one car driven by anti-tour people was surrounded by tour supporters who ripped off its- wing

mirror and kicked the door panels. No complaints were laid with the police as a result of the incidents.

The Taranaki Rugby Union still hoped it would be able to hold its match against the Springboks on Wednesday, said the union’s chairman. Mr Nigel McLeod, last evening.

The Springboks yesterday were apprehensive, with the future of their 16-match New Zealand tour very much in doubt. They put off their chartered Air New Zealand flight to New Plymouth and whiled away their time on the golf course and with trips to private farms. Commenting on the tour setback, Mr Stuart said the South Africans accepted it “with dignity.” HART’s national organiser, Mr John Minto, who was allegedly assaulted and injured by angry rugby supportres, spoke to reporters at a secret address in Hamilton. He labelled the protest, action as a victory for black South Africans.

Rugby Union officials saw it as a sad day for New Zealand rugby and- the Commissioner of Police (Mr R. J. Walton) said it was a sad day for law and order.

The police said that 80 arrests, including the pilot of an aircraft, allegedly stolen from Taupo, were made and 28 people were injured, one a policeman. .Mr Walton feared that the policeman was seriously injured. but a hospital spokesman said he had suffered only bruising and had the ’flu.