Leslie joins call

Press, 3 November 1984, Page 29

Leslie joins call

PA Wellington Andy Leslie, the captain of the 1976 All Blacks in South Africa, has called for an increase in the number of officials for any future tour of the republic.

He said he was adamant that once the selection of the coach and manager had been made, the pair should then be given the responsibility of choosing the necessary back-up.

“A tour of South Africa is too big a job for only two officials. “There are subtle areas where assistance is vital, and I would like to see the appointed two be given the chance to select their own back-up.”

Leslie said that in 1976 the All Blacks’ team had found it necessary to use the services of a secretary supplied by the South African Rugby Union to handle the enormous

amount of correspondence received. Such a person would again be needed next year or whenever the All Blacks toured there again, he added. “The demands made on a touring side make me certain that there should be at least three people in top positions.

“I would say that even someone outside the N.Z.R.F.U., such as Wilson Whineray, would be ideal in some capacity. Touring teams there are confronted constantly with difficulties which a middle person could handle. However, an N.Z.R.F.U. North Island councillor. Mr Ron Don, believes the union should stay with its traditional appointments of one manager and one coach for All Black touring teams.

“What we’ve done in recent years has been very successful," Mr Don said. “Why change it?”