Sir David to be host at World Cup opening

Press, 14 May 1987, Page 2

Sir David to be host at World Cup opening

PA Auckland The former GovernorGeneral, Sir David Beattie, as patron of the New Zealand Rugby Union, will share in officially opening the rugby World Cup in Auckland on May 22. Sir David will be host at Eden Park and will open the event along with. Mr John Kendall-Carpenter, the International Rugby Union’s tournament committee chairman. The Prime Minister, Mr

Lange, has distanced the Government from the event, claiming the tournament may lead to a team’s touring South Africa. He noted many Cavalier players who toured South Africa would be playing. The New Zealand Rugby Union has rejected Mr Lange’s claim that a tour of South Africa was planned./ Sir David said yesterday he was glad to be the welcoming host as patron of the union and did not

want to be drawn into a political argument. “I don’t think we should really stir up the past," he said. Mr Lange was not available for comment on Sir David’s involvement in the World Cup. The Royal New Zealand Navy said there was no political direction involved in the Navy Band’s declining an invitation to play at the opening of the World Cup tournament. The Joint Services public relations officer, Mr

Hank Moffat, said the band had a holiday between May 9 and May 25. This had been decided well in advance and would not be changed for non-military engagements, he said. The Friday opening ceremony at Eden Park would feature a parade of Auckland clubs, bands, parachutists, the release of 5000 balloons in Cup colours, children forming up to spell “Rugby World Cup” and marching girls.