N.Z. rugby urged to go it alone

Press, 21 October 1983, Page 38

N.Z. rugby urged to go it alone

PA Auckland New Zealand should go it alone if the International Rugby Board rejects more generous expenses for touring players, says an N.Z.R.U. councillor, Peter Wild.

Mr Wild (Counties) was a member of the union’s subcommittee which made wide recommendations on improving players’ expenses. The main thrust of the recommendations adopted by the N.Z.R.U. council so far is to increase players’ reimbursement for expenses to SNZ223 weekly and allow players to accept royalties for writing books after they retire.

Mr Wild said yesterday that New Zealand had enough “clout” in rugby to

go its own way without fear of losing its opportunities to play internationals against the other leading rugby nations. While the N.Z.R.U. council, at its meeting in Auckland on Wednesday, approved most of the subcommittee’s recommendations, Mr Wild said he was aware of fears that any changes would founder at 1.R.8. level at its meeting next March. Leading players such as Andy Dalton, and Stu Wilson (both of whom were on the sub-committee) and Andy Haden had all expressed this reservation. “Obviously we have got to see how the 1.R.8. react,” said Mr Wild yesterday, “But if they do turn our recommendations down then we have got to look very

seriously at going our own way. “We have to make sure our players are not handicapped in any way.” Mr Wild said it would be “tragic” for the 1.R.8. not to accept the changes recommended by New Zealand for two reasons: ® The work, study and research done by the subcommittee had been extremely thorough, and © The recommendations reflected the opinion of the overwhelming majority of New Zealand rugby people. Mr Wild believed New Zealand’s rugby standing was such that even if it adopted a more independent course it would still be sought after by the 1.R.8. for international competition.