Unfair to rugby, says Mr Drake

Press, 11 April 1984, Page 8

Unfair to rugby, says Mr Drake

The news media was having a feast at the expense of rugby over spinal injuries, claimed Mr B. J. Drake at a meeting of the Canterbury Rugby Union’s management committee last evening. Mr Drake said that it was most unfortunate that already this season two or three players had suffered spinal injuries in games, but the news media was slanting the news in such a way as to be grossly unfair to rugby. He was critical of the way newspapers, radio and television had handled the latest accident, and, in particular, of an item on television on Monday night. “This was certainly not balanced reporting,” said Mr Drake. From what he had heard and seen the impression was given that the N.Z.R.F.U. was doing nothing to counter rugby injuries, especii

ally spinal injuries. “This is simply not true. The N.Z.R.F.U. has been aware of the problem for some four or five years and very salutory progress has been made to overcome it. Provincial unions and coaching committees have also been working hard to minimise the danger to players.” Mr Drake said that although medical opinion had been sought by some news agencies, not all had seen fit to print it. “More than twice as many people suffered spinal injuries in diving last year than did in rugby, yet this fact was conveniently omitted in one newspaper. “Nor do they seem interested in the injuries that occur in other sports. It seems to be another case where rugby is being attacked unfairly,” said Mr Drake.