N.Z. Rugby Club Affected By Ban

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30975, 3 February 1966, Page 17

N.Z. Rugby Club Affected By Ban

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.)

LONDON.

The English Rugby Union has stopped several English clubs from taking part in an international tournament in Brussels at Easter.

The reason, says the “Sun” is the old one of Continental standards of amateurism being a lot lower than England.

One of the clubs which were invited to take part in the tournament was the London New Zealand Club.

Its secretary, Mr J. Day, said the club had not yet applied to the Rugby Union for permission to tour, but hoped to do so within a few days. “We have chartered an aircraft and have been looking for about 30

players who would be willing to go,” he said.

The home countries have hardened their attitudes to Continental Rugby since the Harlequins and leading Welsh clubs helped boost the game there in the 19505. As far as the Communist bloc is concerned, the English Union does not want to be associated. The reasons are not political, added the “Sun.”

“But it is a fact that Communist countries don’t interpret amateurism like we do.”

Mr Day said the London New Zealand Club had been invited to play six games in three days against teams from Wales, England, France, Italy, Germany and Czechoslovakia.