N.Z.R.U. clears Haden

Press, 7 September 1984, Page 1

N.Z.R.U. clears Haden

PA staff correspondent ’ "■ Wellington Andy Haden was given a clean bill of health yesterday by the New Zealand Rugby Union council. In a meeting behind closed doors, the 18-man council cleared the AH Black lock of allegations that he had breached rugby’s amateur regulations. A statement released later by the Rugby Union said simply: “Having received from Mr A. M. Haden a full and lengthy explanation relating to certain statements in his book, together with his emphasis to the council of his full and firm belief in the principles of amateur rugby and his desire to play and promote the game, the council has accepted his explanation.”

The New Zealand Rugby Union chairman, Mr Ces Blazey, declined to release details of the hearing which stemmed from suggestions that Haden had advanced and promoted professional rugby in his book “Boots ’n’ All.” The meeting had involved an explanation from Haden, who was accompanied by a

legal adviser, Mr Stephen Te'mm, before the council considered its decision, said Mr Blazey. But Mr Blazey dropped a clue to the council’s attitude when he said that none of the councillors had taken the opportunity to quiz Haden after he had given his explanation. He declined, however, to say whether the decision, taken after less than two hours, had been unanimous. Mr Blazey would also not

make any comment on whether the public outcry, which would have inevitably accompanied a decision to ban Haden, had played any part in the council’s think-

ing. The council had been required under International Rugby Board laws to make an investigation into an apparent breach of the game’s regulations and the matter was -now closed, he said. Mr Blazey also would not be drawn on whether the council decision gave other players freedom to make statements similar to those of Haden. That was “irrelevant" to the hearing. The matter will not, however, be officially discussed at the next meeting of the International Rugby Board in Paris in March. “This was a matter between ourselves and a New Zealand player. It has been disposed of and there the matter rests,” Mr Blazey said.