Coach got ‘too intense’

Press, 4 November 1983, Page 26

Coach got ‘too intense’

Dave Robinson, the Northern Division coach, gained a curious distinction as the side was playing the All Blacks at Gateshead yesterday — he was ordered from the edge of the field and had to sit in the grandstand. Earlier in the first half the All Black management noticed Mr Robinson sitting on the form by the sideline, which is the legal preserve only of physiotherapists, baggagemen or doctors. Bryce Rope, the All Black coach, went through diplomatic channels to query Mr Robinson’s position, especially when he was seen to be relaying messages to his players and at one stage talked to one of his forwards.

Diplomacy did not work, so Mr Rope took direct action at half-time and went out to tell Mr Robinson his actions were not acceptable. Mr Robinson demurred, and the secretary of the Rugby Football Union, Wing Commander Bob Weighill, went out and chided Mr Rope for his action. The players on the field noticed Mr Robinson’s presence, and Stu Wilson, the All Black captain, discussed it with the referee,- Mr Jim Fleming. Mr Fleming, in turn, went to the sideline and pointed out that Mr Robinson was in error. So Mr Robinson retired and later apologised to the All Blacks in the dressing room. “I suppose I was wrong,” said Mr Robinson, who was coaching Northern for the first time in a major match. “I suppose that 364 days of the year I’m a fairly quiet man but I suppose I became too intense and too much involved in the game. “Really, all I wanted to do was to check whether Jim Sydall, our lock, who had a cut knee, wanted stitches in the cut at halftime.”

Afterwards, Mr Rope said he did not believe an international coach should sit on the sideline or pass messages to his team. “If I am wrong in my actions I apologise,” said Mr Rope, “but really I don’t think it is ‘on’ for a coach to be on the sideline.”