'Bok decision stands firm'
2007-06-26 17:20
Johannesburg - SA Rugby on Tuesday said that their decision to send an under-strength Springbok squad to play the away Tri-Nations fixtures against Australia and New Zealand stood firm.
"We issued a statement on Monday wherein we stated our position and we stand by that," said SA Rugby MD Jonathan Stones. "We are in discussion with our partners and a teleconference is scheduled for sometime tomorrow (Wednesday) morning whereafter we might be in a position to comment further."
The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) are so incensed with the South African decision that they are considering the option of replacing the Test against the Boks on July 7 with another Test against New Zealand.
The ARU, however, realise that due to television rights and contracts with stadiums, the alternative might not be viable.
The ARU condemned SA Rugby's non-selection of 20 first choice players in the touring squad and said it was "contemptuous" seeing that Australia and New Zealand fielded full-strength sides against the Springboks.
The ARU also accused SA Rugby of reneging on assurances that they would send their first-choice squad on tour.
The Springboks leave on Wednesday for Sydney.
- SAPA