Rugby ‘animals’ criticised

Press, 25 October 1982, Page 15

Rugby ‘animals’ criticised

NZPA London The former British Lions rugby skipper, Bill Beaumont lashes out in a new book at the . 1975 Australian side, accusing it of “wickedly lethal play."

Beaumont. nick-named “Captain Courageous,” says he was disgusted by the violent play of some of the Australian squad during England's tour that year. “I was running across the field when the Sydney prop, Steve Finnane. floored me with a left hook.” Beaumont writes in his book “Thanks to Rugby.” “I was nowhere near the ball at the time and in no way interfering with Finnane or anyone else.

“It was the sort of mind-

less, unprovoked aggression which sickens me in rugby,” Beaumont says the second test in Brisbane during the England tour was marked by violence which reached “new peaks of unacceptability.” Beaumont says in his book which the publisher, Stanley Paul and Co., says will be released late this year, there is a need for rugby to rid itself of “the tiny, but evil minority of players."

He adds: “there is no place for such animals at any level." In view of Beaumont's statements about the Australian team, it is perhaps not surprising that the World XV he names in the book includes only one Australian —

the robust wing Brendan Moon.

The Springboks who beat Beaumont’s Lions in their 1980 tour of South Africa, only rate Louis Moolman. Beaumont, who includes himself in his choice of England and Lions XVs, has two All Blacks in the world ?ide. They are Bruce Robertson and Graham Mourie. Wales have five - J. P. R. Williams. Gerald Davies, Gareth Edwards, Graham Price, and Mervyn Davies.

Others in his side are: Rolan Bertanne (France), Hugo. Porta (Argentina), Willie John Mcßride (Ireland), and Fran Cotton, Peter Wheeler and Tony Neary (all England).