Rebel tour a strong possibility—Veysey

Press, 15 July 1985, Page 4

Rebel tour a strong possibility—Veysey

PA Wellington A rebel New Zealand rugby tour of South Africa is a real possibility if the application for the substantial injunction against the All Blacks is granted, says Alex Veysey, the rugby writer.

However, Veysey said any such rebel tour probably would be unlikely this season.

But he said it would be most surprising if Rugby Union councillors did not have some sort of contingency plan in mind, such as an alternative IrelandWales composite tour, or a tour of Argentina if the proposed South African tour is called off. “A tour of Argentina was being talked about before the Falkland Islands war

and I would think that Argentina would be foremost in the minds of most rugby administrators as a substitute for the tour of South Africa.” Nevertheless, there was a real prospect that South African rugby administrators could entice New Zealand players to play professionally in that country, Veysey said. The South African Rugby Board’s chairman, Dr Danie Craven, had told Veysey a few years ago that if necessary South Africa would be prepared to pay professional rugby players to play in that country. Dr Craven said that he would ensure that international amateur rugby, as it was known, would be turned upside down if there were signs that his country’s

traditional opponents within the International Rugby Board were rejecting that country, for whatever reason.

“What he meant and what he said was that South Africa would look to paying players to go over there to form composite teams from all round the world. “He was in no doubt that that would be a very real prospect if the sort of thing that is now happening were to happen.” Veysey said he doubted that a rebel team tour was possible this winter, but it was a very real prospect for the future.

Last evening, the All Black coach, Mr Brian Lochore, described Mr Justice Casey’s injunction decision as a tremendous psychological blow for players.