Argentina tour backed

Press, 3 August 1985, Page 80

Argentina tour backed

NZPA staff correspondent, Kip Brook Wellington A former All Black captain, Graham Mourie, and two other members of Jack Gleeson’s 1976 pioneers to Argentina have come out in support of an All Black tour to South America later this year. Mourie, Peter Sloane and Greg Rowlands are convinced a four-week tour of Argentina would be a fitting finale to a frustrating 1985

rugby season under seige by the South African tour drama. The former All Black trio figured in both 1976 tests against the Pumas won by Mourie’s men 21-9, 26-6.

Mourie and Sloane were among 14 of the trail blazing side who were to rise up and become fully fledged All Blacks.

The New Zealand Rugby Union is expected to discuss the prospects of an Argentinian tour at its next council meeting on August 30.

Mourie said the inaugural Argentine visit helped shaped new All Blacks of the future. “The ’76 tour heralded a new group of All Blacks, guys like Stu Wilson, the Taylors, Doug Rollerson and Andy Haden,” he said.

“I think if the All Blacks go there again, the trip should be looked at for the players of the future. The older players, like the front row, may not be as a keen as the younger guys.”