‘Ban could change minds’

Press, 16 April 1986, Page 8

‘Ban could change minds’

PA Wellington A number of All Blacks might reconsider their involvement in the “rebel” tour of South Africa if the Rugby Union stated that they would be banned for life, Hart Aotearoa said last evening. The anti-apartheid group’s national co-ordi-nator, Ms Sharyn-Jayne Seybourne, said the “rebel” players had surely committed the most serious breach in the union’s history and should be dealt with in the strongest manner. “The New Zealand Rugby Union has the power to stop the ‘rebel’ All Blacks proceeding with their tour,” said Ms Seybourne. “If the N.Z.R.F.U. Council was to state that all players who participate in the ‘rebel’ tour would be banned for life from representing New Zealand in rugby again, a number of All Blacks may reconsider their involvement and withdraw before the first match. The onus is on the N.Z.R.F.U. to stop this racist tour.” Ms Seybourne said if

the union failed to take significant action against the “rebels,” many New Zealanders would be forced to conclude that the union was unofficially aware and supportive of the tour. Hart demanded also that: None of the Rugby Union councillors attending the International Rugby Board matches in Britain return via South Africa; that the union sever any commercial arrangements with Andy Haden’s commercial enterprises; that Colin Meads (coach of the touring side) be dropped from any further role in the union, as a selector or

otherwise; and that all provincial rugby unions also take what action is available to them to ban the “rebels” from representative first-class rugby for life. “What these men have done defies adequate description,” Ms Seybourne said.

“The manner in which they skulked out of the country is clear indication that they know full-well what they were doing was shameful and misguided, as well as selfish in the extreme. The fact they continued with their plans after the arrest of the South African Rugby Union official, the Rev.

Arnold Stofile, is a further indictment against them. “If any one in South Africa who chooses to protest against this tour meets repression, Hart will hold these mercenaries responsible. They can expect to be made fully aware of our feelings on their return.” Ms Seybourne said it was not yet known .what sort of opposition to the tour would be mounted within South Africa, but Hart would stand by those who took protest action, regardless of its form. “The All Blacks have entered a country which

is in the early stages of civil war; if they enter such a war zone they can expect to get caught in the crossfire,” she said.

“If visitors go there and align themselves with the friends of the apartheid State, as they have done, they cannot expect those fighting for liberation in a life-and-death struggle to stand idly by and accept such betrayal passively.” Ms Seybourne said Hart would formulate its plan of action during the next few days to ensure that the N.Z.R.F.U. fulfilled its obligations to black South Africa.