The South Africa coach Jake White, who is preparing for his first Tri-Nations international against New Zealand in Christchurch on Saturday, yesterday told his players to forget about strike threats and breakaways as the Springboks' dispute with their union goes to arbitration today.
The South African Rugby Football Union and the national players' association have been at loggerheads all year over issues including national contracts, salaries and representation on the governing body. The relationship between the two bodies has sunk so low that the players wore white armbands during last weekend's friendly against the Pacific Islands in protest at the way Sarfu was running the game.
The lock Victor Matfield pulled out of that match and returned home with what officials said was a knee injury, but he trained with the Blue Bulls this week and it is believed his departure had more to do with a contract dispute.
"One of the things I have said over and over since taking over as the coach of South Africa is that the team cannot afford to be distracted by anything back home or by administrative issues," said White.
That is even more the case this week. South Africa have not beaten New Zealand for six years and were crushed in the World Cup quarter-final last November. But White said: "I would like to believe that on Saturday the players are going to give everything to win the Test."
Australia have a week off before playing South Africa next week, when their captain George Gregan should be fit again. The New South Wales hooker Adam Freier has replaced the suspended Brendan Cannon in the squad. The wing Mark Gerrard will also return to training after recovering from a hamstring injury.
In Wales, the Lions No8 Scott Quinnell will coach semi-professional Llanelli next season while continuing to play at No8 for the regional team Llanelli Scarlets.
In England, the two codes of rugby have combined to launch the Brixton Bulls, bringing the oval ball to an area of London where neither union nor league has made any impact. The Bulls will be based at Brockwell Park, with eight-to-11-year-olds of both genders initially targeted.
