Boks in blazer boycott

Thursday 20th September 2007

South Africa's World Cup campaign is in danger of being overshadowed and even derailed by a decision of the Springbok players not to wear their official blazers at the tournament until technical adviser Eddie Jones is allowed to wear one.

Jones, the former Wallaby coach, was officially appointed as a technical advisor to Bok head coach Jake White just a few weeks before the tournament.

However, he has not been granted official status nor full national colours - even though he is allowed to wear a Springbok tracksuit and training gear.

This has angered the players, who forwarded a formal request that Jones be afforded the same status as other management officials - which are all awarded full national colours.

The players feel that the former Wallaby coach's contribution so far to their campaign - which include a 59-7 thrashing of Samoa and a record 36-0 whitewash of defending World Cup champions England - deserves more than what he is currently being afforded.

The players' decision to not wear their blazers, in protest over the decision of the President's Council of the South African Rugby Union (SARU) not to award Jones full colours, comes on the eve of the Boks- Pool A encounter with Tonga in Lens on Saturday.

Andy Marinos, general manager national teams SA Rugby (Pty) Ltd (the commercial arm of SARU), on Thursday told rugby365.com that he had been in discussion with Bok captain John Smit over the matter for the past two days.

However, Marinos said the council's decision is final and urged the players to concentrate on playing rugby and not get involved in administrative issues.

Bok team manager Zola Yeye said from the team's base in Paris that he is aware of the latest developments, but declined to comment on the matter.

"It is a matter between the players and Andy Marinos," Yeye told this website.

Marinos confirmed that the Bok management is not involved in the dispute and that it is an initiative from the players.

"Yes, I spoke to the captain, John Smit, and I was honest with him about our position," Marinos told rugby365.com.

"It was a matter that was discussed with the management team and Eddie Jones prior to his appointment and prior to the team's departure for the World Cup [in France].

"It was the feeling of the council [SARU President's Council] that he wouldn't be awarded colours and Eddie [Jones] had absolutely no problem with it and he was comfortable with the decision.

"He felt it was about what was best for South African rugby."

Marinos admitted he was taken aback by the players' boycott action, but urged that they now move on and focus on the rugby they should play in the coming days and weeks.

"I would be honest, it has come as a bit of surprise at this late stage.

"This is not a time to be worrying about who is wearing what blazer and I have stressed that to John [Smit, Bok captain].

"I told them [the players] we consulted with all parties, including the person affected, and our position is very clear on this.

"We mustn't allow something like this to detract from our focus on trying to win the World Cup.

"I made it clear the decision stands and that is our position - they must continue to focus on the game and playing the game and not worry about what decisions has been made and when and how."

Marinos said he now expects the matter as settled and that the players will get on with the task at hand.

"I wouldn't expect the management to be part of a non-wearing campaign and neither would I expect the players to be either.

"The decision stands and it is not going to be changed and they must not worry about wether or not certain individuals are wearing blazers."

By Jan de Koning www.planetrugby.com