‘Pinetree’ the yardstick for rebels’ fate

Press, 22 April 1986, Page 36

‘Pinetree’ the yardstick for rebels’ fate

By

JOHN BROOKS

The New Zealand Rugby Union’s treatment of Colin “Pinetree” Meads over the rebel tour of South Africa will be used as a yardstick by the Canterbury union as it ponders what line to take with its players who are absent without leave.

This was said yesterday by the president of the Canterbury Rugby Union, Mr Les Russell, as activities surrounding the rebels’ presence in Johannesburg hotted up. Mr Meads is an official of the New Zealand body through his elevation this year to the national selection panel. He is in South Africa ostensibly as coach of the rebels, although it is he, and not the man named as manager (lan Kirkpatrick) who is doing all the talking. “Whatever action is taken will have to be uniform, following the N.Z.R.U. lead,” Mr Russell said. “It has got away from our sphere — it is on a national body to national body basis. Mr (Ces) Blazey thinks certain obligations have been broken, and that’s a matter of concern.” Mr Russell was asked to define the Canterbury union’s attitude towards its players who have left New Zealand without clearances from the provincial body, and those who are reportedly set to extend the term of their agreed absences. Robbie Deans, Victor Simpson and Craig Green are in Johannesburg without any C.R.U. clearance at all. Jock Hobbs and Albert Anderson were granted leave to play for

an international side twice in South Africa. Wayne Smith and Warwick Taylor, who were cleared to play in 1.R.8. centenary matches in Cardiff and London, are said to be winging their way to Johannesburg with seven other All Blacks. “We have never had a situation like this before,” Mr Russell admitted. "And we have not got a set penalty (for being absent without leave). “The union would have to consider the question, and then speak to those concerned. We will ask them for an explanation, and than take whatever action we consider appropriate.” Quizzed about the extent to which the players had flouted the laws of rugby, Mr Russell said footballers were not permitted to travel overseas when required for representative fixtures. That was framed in terms of club tours in the lawbook, and the relevant clause stated that the length of absence should not exceed three weeks. "The ruling needs to be investigated ... that is a guideline,” he said. “Certainly we would have wanted them (the seven Canterbury players) for South Pacific championship games. The contest was constructed with

them in mind. “When someone else calls on their services, we would have to look at the situation.” The “rebel” team will not play as All Blacks and their matches against the Springboks will not be given test status, said Mr Kirkpatrick yesterday, reports NZPA. The South African news media bills the tourists as an All Black team and reports continue of payments to players of up to $lOO,OOO. A press conference was to be held in Johannesburg at which Louis Luyt, president of the Transvaal Rugby Union, which organised the tour, would present details of its organisation. Mr Kirkpatrick told Radio New Zealand that he would take the opportunity at that conference to stress that the team did not officially represent the New Zealand rugby union. Mr Kirkpatrick again denied that his players were receiving more on tour than standard daily expenses levied by the International Rugby Board. “There is no payment outside the allowance which is laid down by the 1.R.8. on any normal tour,” he said. “There’s no other money involved at all.”