Mark Graham will not give in

Press, 14 May 1987, Page 38

Mark Graham will not give in

By

NICK BROWN,

of NZPA Sydney The former Kiwi captain, Mark Graham, is adamant he will not represent New Zealand this winter, even if it means being temporarily barred from playing for his club, North Sydney. The director-general of the International Rugby League Board, Ken Arthurson, said last week that players who did not make themselves available for test duty when selected were automatically stood down from club football on the week-end of the test. Graham announced his “retirement” from international football last year because of the sacking of the Kiwi coach, Graham Lowe. The big forward has repeated his unavailability despite the New Zealand Rugby League president, George Rainey, indicating he would probably be selected for upcoming tests against Australia and Papua New Guinea. “I won’t be playing tests even if I have to sit out,” said Graham yesterday. “I’ve done some checking and the Kiwis’ test against New Guinea falls when Norths have the bye so that won’t matter.

“If I’m chosen for the test against Australia — and I hope I won’t be — I’ll just have to stand down from Norths’ match that week-end.” North Sydney will support Graham’s stand, said the club secretary, Bob Saunders. He claims North Sydney and the N.Z.R.L. agreed last December that Graham would not be selected for international duty in 1987.

Now the N.Z.R.L. was trying to persuade Graham to play the two tests.

“In my view, that’s a complete about-face from the agreement reached between this club and the N.Z.R.L. and we’ll fight them all the way,” Mr Saunders said.