Rugby circus ‘no shock’

Press, 27 May 1983, Page 20

Rugby circus ‘no shock’

NZPA-Reuter Johannesburg The president of the South African Rugby Board, Dr Danie Craven, said yesterday he would not be surprised if Springbok players had been approached to join a reported international professional rugby circus. Dr Craven, speaking from his home in Stellenbosch, said: “I don’t know who, but if some of them (South African players) have been approached I would not be surprised.” Dr Craven said he was well aware of plans to launch a touring professional circus. He said be had spoken on the telephone recently to an Australian businessman, David Lord, alleged to be the man behind the circus, but would not give details of their conversation. Dr Craven said that any South African players who signed professional forms “go at their own risk.” “We will not stand in their way should they decide to play for pay, and we will not beg them to reconsider, but they must consider carefully all the facts,” he said. Dr Craven said he had no doubt the professional circus would want to tour South Africa but the rugby board would not permit its grounds to be used. In Sydney yesterday, Mr ' Lord said: “I’m fascinated. I wonder where he (the ‘Daily Mail’ reporter) got all that. “My feelings on this business have been well documented over the last few months and I’m not prepared to say any more.” Asked about recent extensive overseas travel, Mr Lord maintained that his visits to South Africa, New Zealand and Britain were necessary to research a rugby book. Early in March, Lord dismissed as “absolute rubbish” suggestions that he had attempted to recruit Australian test stars for a rebel professional tour. But in Brisbane yesterday a leading Queensland player, who wanted to remain nameless, confirmed that approaches had been made to several players. He disputed, however, English press reports which claimed 208 leading players, including Australians and New Zealanders, had signed on the dotted line. “As far as I’m aware several Queenslanders have been approached but they have not signed any contract,” the player said. He confirmed that each player would be guaranteed between sAust23,ooo and sAust33,ooo per tournament. A syndicate of business interests was believed to be behind the circus which proposed seven six-week tournaments throughout the world in the next two years.