Co-operation called for

Press, 14 April 1984, Page 76

Co-operation called for

PA ’ Wellington Ces Blazey, re-elected chairman of the Rugby Football Union for the eighth consecutive term yesterday, made a plea for unity and co-operation within rugby circles. Mr Blazey, aged 73, was the only nomination for chairman and on accepting the post, acknowledged that there should be differences of opinion for the good of the game. “Having differences of opinion is a healthy sign and if we co-operate as we should, we will succeed in a variety of ways,” he said. The reappointment of the recently-retired All Black captain, Stu Wilson, to the

committee to investigate players’ privileges was a question of fact rather than intent, Mr Blazey said. “A player does not become ineligible for something of which we only know from reading newspapers, and the word ‘intent’ does not apply,” he said. “In Wilson’s case, we do not believe that in fact, at the present time, he has infringed regulations.” Wilson said last month that he would accept payment for his book, to be published in September. Questioned on possible breaches of the amateur, regulations by players who have been invovled in book writing and other commercial exercises, Mr Blazey

refused to name anyone. “We have no details at all to reveal about any individual other than to say that if we have reason to believe that there have been transgressions of laws, we make enquiries,” Mr Blazey said. ,