Suspension ‘inevitable’

Press, 24 April 1986, Page 44

Suspension ‘inevitable’

The authoritative footballing weekly, “New Zealand Rugby News,” believes that the suspension of the rebellious Cavaliers, now in South Africa, is inevitable. In this week’s issue, the editor, Bob Howitt, claims in a front page story that the footballing outlaws are almost certain to be on ice when France plays the All Blacks in Christchurch on June 28. “It’s speculative what term that suspension might be, but one thing’s for sure — it will be longer than a month,” he wrote. Howitt forecasts that

New Zealand will require eight new players for the French test, and that state of affairs, he says, will be a frightening prospect for the coach, Brian Lochore. It could get worse. The suspension, Howitt speculates, might keep the rebels out of rugby when the Wallabies tour New Zealand in August and September. Elsewhere in the same issue of “Rugby News” the veteran columnist, Terry McLean, claims that the Cavaliers are professionalising themselves by accepting the customary International Rugby Board touring allowance.

Because the tour was not sanctioned by the board, the players were not entitled to the emoluments normally granted, McLean reasons. And, he adds, that affects not only the players, but also the South African Rugby Board. McLean suggests that Colin Meads’ involvement with the rebels will stifle his chances of becoming chief coach of the All Blacks, and that the contract between the N.Z.R.U. and Andy Haden’s enterprise, Sporting Contacts, might not be renewed.