Tour of S.A. denied by Rugby Union
PA - v Wellington A claim by the Prime Minister, Mr . Lange, that the coming - World Cup rugby tournament may lead to a team touring South Africa was rejected by the Rugby Union last evening. Mr Lange, who made the claim at a press conference without explaining the basis for it, said he would not attend any matches in the 32-match series which will open in Auckland on May 22. “I think the (New Zealand) Rugby Union has a duty to. tell this country whether the outcome of the series will be a trip to South Africa by a composite team or by the winning team,” Mr Lange said. “They have been conspicuously silent on that matter."
Reacting last evening, the union chairman, Mr Russ Thomas, said that talk of a possible rebel tour after the 16-nation tournament was pure speculation.
“The New, Zealand Rugby Union has nd intention of sending-any team to South Africa at the end .of the tournament, whether or not we win the cup.” Eleven of the 26 members of the All Black cup squad toured South Africa 12 months ago as part of a team dubbed the Cavaliers.
Andy Dalton, who will lead the All Blacks in the cup, was also captain of the rebel side which went to South Africa when legal action by two Auckland lawyers resulted in an official tour being cancelled.
The union banned the Cavaliers from International matches after the rebel tour, but the ban was later lifted.
The 32-game tournament will begin in Auckland on May 22 with the final there on June 20. Eleven matches will be played in Sydney and Brisbane.
Earlier report, page 2
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Press, 12 May 1987, Page 8
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284Tour of S.A. denied by Rugby Union Press, 12 May 1987, Page 8
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