BOOTS, FISTS MORE THAN “FLURRIES”

Press, Issue 31095, 25 June 1966, Page 17

BOOTS, FISTS MORE THAN “FLURRIES”

WELLINGTON. It was most disappointing that the chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union (Mr T. C. Morrison) did not take a stronger stand when asked for his comments on rough play during the four Lions’ matches $o far, writes I. J. D. Hall, “The Press” Rugby reporter. Mr Morrison did say that the New Zealand Union would not condone dirty or foul play, but it was a euphemism to describe incidents in the Southland and Universities matches as “flurries.” A player punched or kicked might not regard this as

a “flurry,” or even that the players became “irritable” with each other. There was no doubt that in both these matches, and particularly in the Southland game, punches were thrown freely and there was indiscriminate kicking. It would have been far better for Rugby if Mr Morrison and the Lions’ manager (Mr D. J. O’Brien) had adopted the stand of Mr M. J. F. Louw, the manager of the 1965 Springboks. After the Taranaki game, which was marred by rough play, Mr Louw spoke strongly when he said that the boxing ring was the place for punch-

I ing and that he would not tolerate rough Rugby in any form. I His firm stand had results, i Except for the Northknd game, the tour was almost incident free. It is quite relevant that in the four matches on this tour there have been more unseemly incidents than there were in the 23 games played by the Springboks last season. No doubt Mr Morrison and Mr O’Brien wished to play down the rough play seen so far but no matter how sincere their intentions on the matter the unfortunate impression is gained that they are trying to whitewash press reports of rough I play.