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Selection storm weathered South African Super 12 team cleared of wrongdoing
Posted: Thursday March 18, 1999 05:34 PM
SYDNEY, Australia (Reuters) -- South Africa's Stormers were cleared Thursday of breaching Super 12 tournament rules for fielding a second-string team in last weekend's match against Otago. But the South Africans, who were thrashed 46-14 in the match, were warned that teams still have a duty to select their best sides to protect the integrity of the tournament. The Stormers were ordered to explain to the competition's controlling body SANZAR on Thursday why they rested 12 key players against the competition favorites Otago. Stormers coach Alan Solomons had said he decided to rest the players because he wanted to save them for the potentially easier clash with the Australian Capital Territiory in Canberra this Friday. The Australian and New Zealand rugby unions criticised the Stormers' policy with ARU managing director John O'Neill calling for them to be docked points. The SANZAR Board, made up of representatives from the South African, Australian and New Zealand Rugby Unions, held a teleconference Thursday to discuss the issue but decided not to take any action. NZFU chairman Rob Fisher said in a statement that the Stormers selection did not constitute a breach of the SANZAR agreement with the tournament's backers News Corp but said teams had an obligation to field the best lineups. "We were in full agreement that administrators should not be interefering in the selection of teams," Fisher said. "However, coaches of all Super 12 teams will be reminded of their obligation to all stakeholders especially the public, whether in attendance or the viewing audiences, and the intergrity of the Rugby Super 12 competition." The Stormers have announced a full strength side for Friday's match against the ACT.
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