SARU changes stance on NZ Maori

SOUTH AFRICAN rugby has reversed its policy of refusing to play against the New Zealand Maori, paving the way for match-ups between the two sides.

Last year a warm-up game for the Springboks ahead of the British and Irish Lions tour against the Maori, who have a traditional place in New Zealand rugby, was called off by the South African Rugby Union (SARU) on racial grounds.

SARU deemed the Maori a team selected along racial lines, which conflicts with their constitution.

However, earlier this year, they issued a landmark apology to those excluded from South African tours during apartheid — New Zealand rugby authorities having left indigenous Maori players out of three tours to the country in 1928, 1949 and 1960.

The Maori recently celebrated the centenary of its first representative team, and SARU has now decided the time is right for change.

“The (General) Council agreed to adopt the policy pertaining to the New Zealand Maori, which now paves the way for matches between South African teams and the Maoris,” a statement from SARU read.

Union president Oregan Hoskins added: “South Africa will play against any team which has the official blessing of its national governing body.”

Meanwhile, Wallaby James O’Connor is hoping a “whirlwind year” will end with a spectacular finale when he turns out in Barbarians colours at full-back in the MasterCard trophy match against South Africa at Twickenham.

It is all the sweeter for 20-year-old O’Connor because four years ago rugby almost cost him his life. He ruptured his spleen in a schoolboy rugby smash about, an injury which kept him sidelined for more than six months and which might have had even more dire consequences.

O’Connor recalled: “I was pretty close to passing away, although I didn’t realise it at the time. I stumbled up to the health centre and just passed out there. Thankfully, there was some quick thinking by the nurses at my high school.

“They were quick to call an ambulance. First, they thought it was just a dislocated shoulder and broken ribs but someone had the right idea that it might be internal bleeding and I’m thankful for that.”

The injury did not dim O’Connor’s dream to pull on the Australian jersey and he is among six Australians in the Barbarians side, which also includes five All Blacks plus Italy’s Salvatore Perugini and Martyn Williams from Wales.

BARBARIANS: J O’Connor (Aus); J Rococoko (NZ), D Mitchell (Aus), A Ashley-Cooper (Aus), M Nonu (NZ); M Giteau (Aus, capt), W Genia (Aus); S Perugini (It), S Moore (Aus), N Tialata (NZ); A Van Zyl (Stormers), C Jack (NZ); R So’oialo (NZ), M Williams (Wal), C Bourke (Chiefs).

Replacements: K Mealamu (NZ), D Yapp (Wal), Q Geldenhuys (It), D Braid (NZ), A Ellis (NZ), S Donald (NZ), S Rabeni (Fij).