Rugby players winging their way to greener pastures

Press, 24 August 1988, Page 48

Rugby players winging their way to greener pastures

New Zealand’s rugby union administrators must be convinced that the “silly season” is upon them, even though there are several weeks of representative football still to be played.

In the last week two prominent wings; Basil Ake (Auckland) and Mike Clamp (Wellington), have gone to Europe, apparently to play for pay — but not in the same rugby code. And Wellington officials are being very careful not to ask their outstanding forward, Emosi Koloto, whether he has agreed to terms with the British rugby league club — Widnes — in case they do not get the desired answer. The curious case of the missing men began, ironically enough, when the most revered of all amateur rugby players in this country, John Kirwan, was temporarily put out of action by injury. Would Basil Ake, from the powerful Ponsonby

side, be recalled to fill the gap, asked the news media of the Auckland selectors. “He appears to have disappeared — he did not turn up for training last week,” replied an exasperated Auckland selector-coach, Maurice Trapp. He added that he believed Ake was in Britain negotiating with rugby league clubs. Ake, aged 24, included two Ranfurly Shield matches among his six appearances for Auckland in 1987. He was a Maori All Black and a New Zealand Colt. A report from England last week-end indicated Ake’s travels had taken him to Odsal Stadium, home of the famous Bradford Northern club. The coach, Barry Seabourne, had been impressed with Ake’s first trial performance. “He seems to have settled down well here and wants to make a career as a professional,” Seabourne was quoted as saying.

Exit Ake. Last Sunday Clamp, a former All Black wing, took off in roughly the same direction. But he is staying in rugby union while seeking a more lucrative environment. Clamp made some rather pointed statements on national radio before he left, suggesting that life for topline rugby union footballers is a hand-to-mouth existence

unless one lives in Auckland, France or Italy. It seems that Clamp prefers the European climate to that of Auckland. While Clamp deserted his Wellington teammates and thumbed his nose at the New Zealand Maoris tour (he criticised the expenses offered by the national union), the much-publicised Koloto at least requested anonymity from Widnes until the completion of his provincial commitments. Ironically, if Koloto does pull on a Widnes jersey later this year he will have a life banishment slapped upon him by the New Zealand union. Clamp, less loyal to Wellington, will almost certainly not suffer any sanction. The Widnes negotiations with Koloto must be the worst-kept secret of the sporting season. An English journalist even telephoned “The Press” late last week to check the spelling of his name.

In the present economic climate in New Zealand such sudden departures could become almost commonplace, just as there was a large exodus of rugby union players from this country to rugby league * in England during the 19305. Employers cannot afford to grant paid leave to sportsmen, and the dole does not rebuild a bank balance between tours which pay only moderate expenses. Scores of footballers have streamed to France and Italy in recent years to join the “shamateur” ranks. A few, such as Charlie McAlister and Mark Brooke-Cowden, have linked up with British rugby league clubs. That source of fame and fortune is limited by the restriction of three overseas players per club, though holding a British passport (as Brooke-Cowden does) allows free access. -JOHN COFFEY