Bush free to tour

Press, 26 April 1979, Page 44

Bush free to tour

Bill Bush will be free to take his place in the New Zealand Maoris rugby team when it leaves next week on its tour of Australia and the Pacific. Bush (Belfast) and Bob Harrison (Hornby) were • each stood down for two plaving days when they appeared before the j Canterbury Rugby Union s I judicial committe on Tuesday evening. They were ordered off last Saturday for fighting. I The first day of the suspension was yesterday and the second will be on Saturday. The judicial chairman, Mr; J. O. Hattersley, said the case was not a bad one of its kind and the referee had taken the action that he did to stop a threatening situation getting worse. Three other players, all ordered off last Saturday, appeared before the committee and each wasi supended until after May 5, effectively two playing days.) The players and their; offences were H. Tawera! (Merivale-Papanui senior B), ‘ dangerous play: S. Penet) (Hornby senior B), foul play;) W. Bailey (Linwood senior) B), punching. A Belfast third grade; player who did not appear I

>;was suspended until he di rlso. i Mr Hattersley said it w» i worrying to have so man : orderings off so early in tl season and he hoped th; >;the trend would nt ’) continue. “If anything, w • have been slightly lenieni s that things may settle dow :|a little.” The union's chairman (M i R. W. Thomas) said he wa 'disappointed with th number or orderings off an [for this reason he wa ■ arranging a meeting betwee senior coaches and th i union’s senior vice-presiden l(Mr B. J. Drake), to ensur 'that law interpretation were fully understood. “I hope the clubs will ge I behind us on this an. I understand our position ot J the way the game should b I played.” In a reference to the Busi affair Mr Thomas said hi was disappointed at some a lithe comments that had bee I made. ) “No player should ever bi ) prejudged and there ar : certain precedures whicl 'must be followed, in thes, j matters. Also, our judicia I committee is comprised o [competent and experience: ■ people and they can do thei j job without any help a I prompting.