Hobbs backs pay proposal

Press, 14 October 1986, Page 44

Hobbs backs pay proposal

PA Auckland The All Black captain, Jock Hobbs, says he backs a proposal that players without salaries on tour receive compensation. Asked yesterday to comment on the plan, which the eight 1.R.8. members will be asked to approve, he said: “I haven’t had much chance to look at the proposal, but I am sure that it will help some of the players. “International players have to make a large commitment to the game and, in the case of some, that involves a financial sacrifice.” Hobbs said that, if passed, the payment proposal had the potential to extend . for some players their time at the top. “In my particular case the cost of the commit l ment to international football is in time rather than money,” said Hobbs, a Christchurch lawyer, s Payments' to the All Blacks for the French tour will be at the I.RIB. rate of $43 a day, totalling

about $l7OO for the eightmatch tour. The All Blacks assembled in Auckland yesterday. “It is going to be a very demanding tour,” said Hobbs. ’’You just have to look at the strength of the side we are playing first up to see how tough it is going to be.” That game, on October 1, like the other matches outside the tests is against a French selection. No fewer than 11 internationals will confront the All Blacks in the first game.

“It doesn’t concern me too much that we play all of these French selections,” said Hobbs.

“We know all of the games will be hard, but it is just one of the things you have to accept when you tour France. “We have a young side in terms of experience, but I am sure all the players know what is expected of them,” Change recommended— Page 36