Royal presence at rugby ‘untrue’

Press, 7 May 1987, Page 9

Royal presence at rugby ‘untrue’

PA Wellington The Royal Family will not be represented at the ceremonial opening of the World Cup of rugby in Auckland on May 22. Although it has been rumoured that Prince Andrew expressed interest in attending the opening and some of the matches, neither he nor the Governor-General, Sir Paul Reeves, will be there. The Prime Minister, Mr Lange, has also rejected an invitation to attend, while the Minister of Sport, Mr Moore, has yet to respond. The chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union, Mr Russell Thomas, confirmed from Blenheim that invitations had gone to Mr Lange and to other members of the

Government. Mr Lange had given no reason for his refusal. Mr Thomas had spoken to Mr Moore some weeks ago but had not yet received a reply. He could not confirm that a member of the Royal Family had expressed a wish to, attend. “The question of an invitation to Royalty is for the Government to attend to,” he said. "But I must say the Rugby Union is disappointed that there will be no Royal presence for what is a historic occasion for New Zealand.” Sir Paul had declined the invitation to the opening because he had another engagement. There was a possibility he might attend some of the matches “at short notice.”