Dalton denies rugby payment report

Press, 1 June 1989, Page 56

Dalton denies rugby payment report

PA Auckland A former All Black captain, Andy Dalton, has denied a report quoting him as saying some firstclass rugby players are paid to play. According to a report in the “Evening Post,” Dalton said he knew players were being paid to play in New Zealand as well as overseas. Dalton said yesterday that he had been at pains to point out the difference between players being paid for playing matches and being offered inducements. “I went to some trouble to say that players are not being paid for playing the game. There are inducements being offered for players to play for some clubs. “I gather that is also the situation when people play overseas,” he said, a reference to New Zealanders who play in France or Italy during the summer in New Zealand. Dalton said rugby’s amateur rules were a farce.

"I have said that many times before. There’s nothing new in what I said.”

Dalton, now coach of Counties, said players were being offered financial incentives to join clubs but were not being paid “by the game.” The difference, he said, is that inducements can

be wrapped up in a job package.

He said there was room to establish trust funds in rugby in the same way as had been achieved by athletics. Such funds, run by rugby union people, would enable players to cash in on commercial opportunities with, perhaps, a percentage coming out for junior rugby. The “Evening Post” reported that Dalton said he was aware of one player receiving money for every game. He would not confirm if the player was a New Zealander. He would not name New Zealand players involved, or mention details. He said he would not divulge that information even if called before the

New Zealand Rugby Football Union Council. “Of course I wouldn’t. Obviously I’m not going to pot fellow players. I don’t altogether disagree with it (payments).” Dalton said it was a subject he had been talking about since 1982, but the situation had existed for many years. It was time the union made up its mind on which way it wanted to go on payments. Rugby’s amateur rules were such a farce, he said, even union councillors themselves “would struggle to abide by the rules.” He would not elaborate. “I’m quite sure many players playing first division rugby are getting paid both here in New Zealand and overseas. “The media will try to pot All Blacks, but I’m not shooting for current players.” Dalton said it was common overseas for players to be paid. He suspected union administrators “prefer to pretend it isn’t happening,” the “Evening Post” reported. “But I don’t think there’s any doubt they know it’s going on.” Dalton said payments made to players went beyond travel allowances for players to attend practices

— “I know that players are getting more than that;”