David Lord outraged by newspaper report

Press, 23 January 1984, Page 19

David Lord outraged by newspaper report

NZPA Sydney The World Rugby Union circus promoter, David Lord, expressed outrage on Saturday at a statement attributed to him in the London newspaper, the “Daily Mail.”

“I would never be so arrogant or tasteless towards the International Rugby Board. I have no idea where that quote came from; it certainly wasn’t made by me,” he said. According to the “Daily Mail,” Lord said he wished this year’s European Five Nations tournament every success ... because it would be the last.

“I hope they enjoy their last tournament, because when it is over the best players in the game are going to be playing World Championship Rugby,” the paper quoted him as saying.

Lord is reported to have signed 208 of the world’s leading players for a multimillion dollar professional circus due to kick off in Sydney and Auckland in mid-April.

But Lord said on Saturday he was appalled by the London report. “Only a mug would be capable of saying a thing like that,” he said. “It certainly did not come from me ... in fact, I haven’t spoken to anyone from the ‘Daily Mail’ for many weeks. “As it is, I wish the 1.R.8. no ill feeling at all and hope the Five Nations is an outstanding success. “I hope the scorelines show more tries than penalties for the first time in umpteen years ... if that happens it will be a huge success.”