Image via WikipediaDo former Maori players deserve an apology for exclusion from All Black in years gone by...
All Black great George Nepia was among those excluded from touring South Africa.
All Black great george Nepia was among those excluded from touring South Africa.The New Zealand Rugby Union has been criticised for refusing to apologise for not selecting Maori players in All Blacks squads that toured South Africa between 1928 and 1960.
Earlier this year Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples suggested the gesture from the NZRU would be an appropriate way to mark the 100th anniversary of Maori rugby.
The issue was again raised by NZ Herald columnist Chris Rattue today, who said it was high time Maori received an apology for racist selection policies between 1928 and 1960.
The Maori rugby team first played the Springboks in Napier in 1921, after which a South African correspondent wired to Cape Town that the Springboks were "frankly disgusted", particularly at seeing white New Zealanders cheering on a "coloured" team.
The NZRU subsequently excluded Maori from All Blacks' tours to South Africa in 1928, 1949 and 1960.
Of course former Maori players deserve an explanation and an apology, but politicians like Peter Sharples should keep their own counsel.
Acknowledgements: NZ Herald
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