Hoskins grows a backbone

Oregan Hoskins responded angrily to bitter former New Zealand rugby administrator David Moffett’s opinion that South Africa should be kicked out of SANZAR.

Moffett, writing in The Press on 30 June 2007 labelled the South African Rugby Union an absolute disgrace. He was referring to the selection of an under-strength Springbok team to tour Australasia for the return matches in this year’s Tri Nations.

“We treat Mr Moffett’s comments as sentiments from someone who should rather be enjoying his retirement from rugby administration,” said an angry Hoskins.

“Maybe he is trying to make a comeback into rugby administration and he is trying to do it at South Africa’s expense.

“It is a pity that he can’t vie for office in a proper rugby way, rather than at the expense of an outside party like South Africa.

“New Zealand and Australia in my humble opinion should not encourage South Africa’s exclusion from southern hemisphere competitions, especially Sanzar.

“We have in the past been asked to play in the northern hemisphere and because of their request for us to play in the south, we haven’t done so. It is strange that a former rugby administrator would make statements like that.

“I hope he is speaking on behalf of himself and not the present administration,” concluded the SARU boss.

SAPA