Cavalier case nears close: Mr Thomas

Press, 12 September 1986, Page 36

Cavalier case nears close: Mr Thomas

PA Wellington The controversial case of Cavalier misconduct could be closed next month, according to the chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union, Russ Thomas. “We would hope the matter is finished with at the International Rugby Board’s October 9-11 meeting in London,” said Mr Thomas yesterday. The English Rugby Union’s committee expressed concern at its meeting on Wednesday about the unofficial tour of South Africa by the New Zealand players and the alleged breach of regulations relating to amateurism. The English union said it was “looking forward to receiving an explanation from New Zealand” at the 1.R.8.’s special October meeting in London. England has banned all rugby contact with South Africa for the time being, and the new R.F.U. secretary, Dudley Wood, recorifirmed that position. The chairman of the

1.R.8., Ces Blazey, said yesterday that the 1.R.8. emergency committee would report to the October meeting on the tour and South Africa’s involvement in it. “It’s a possibility the matter will end next month, or it could carry on,” he said. The 1.R.8. asked South Africa at the April meeting to halt the tour but S.A.R.B. chairman, Danie Craven, fully sanctioned the visit fronted by the Transvaal Rugby Union. Dr Craven said after the Springboks had beaten the Cavaliers in the third test at Pretoria: “Nobody is going to tell us what to do with our Springbok jerseys or our official teste”. The N.Z.R.U. sent letters this week to the Cavaliers’ lawyers hoping to solve the question of alleged payments in South Africa. Mr Thomas said the N.Z.R.U. would furnish a report to the 1.R.8. at its October meeting.