Rugby Union tactics 'childish’

Press, 1 April 1985, Page 4

Rugby Union tactics 'childish’

PA Auckland The New Zealand Rugby Union had made its decision to tour South Africa and was playing a childish tactics game with the Government, said a Care spokesman, Mr Tom Newnham. He said the Rugby Union’s explanation about confusion over the Prime Minister’s letter causing the delay was an obvious stalling tactic. “If they didn’t know what the letter meant they had about three hours to sort it out and discuss it with the Prime Minister,” he said.

Playing for time would only go against the union, Mr Newnham said, because public opinion was building steadily against the tour. On the other side of the

fence, S.P.I.R. New Zealand’s national co-ordinator, Mrs Elizabeth Sutherland, sees the Rugby Union move as a model example of cooperation between two sports codes. She said the union had undoubtedly heeded a request from the New Zealand Cricket Council to put off the tour decision to ease pressure on New Zealand cricketers touring the West Indies.

She called the 18 members of the Rugby Union council courageous men making a stand for individual freedom.

The leader of Mana Motuhake, Mr Matiu Rata, said he was astonished at the delay in a decision, which would prolong everyone’s agony. The Rugby Union council-

lors were “self-centred chumps” who unfortunately believed they were doing the right thing for rugby, he said.

The national organiser of Hart, Mr John Minto, said two interpretations could be made of the decision.

“The first is optimistic,” he said. “It could be that the Rugby Union councillors were divided on the issue after talking to Mr Lange. “It is more likely they were concerned about the, public reaction to a decision to tour — they have come in for severe public criticism recently. “Every time they delay, the debate continues and public opinion moves further towards us,” Mr Minto said. “The Rugby Union will feel a real backlash from its decision.”