Headgear fury in the All Black camp

By WYNNE GRAY

BIARRITZ - New Zealand officials are furious that two All Blacks were injured after the side was forced to comply with an International Rugby Board regulation on headgear for the first test against France.

Usually, lock Norm Maxwell and midfielder Daryl Gibson wear black headgear, but from October 1 the IRB decreed that all headgear must be light-coloured and carry their approval.

The IRB wanted the colour change to avoid any bloodbin head injuries going unnoticed on players wearing the black adidas-style headgear used by the All Blacks.

That edict left Maxwell and Gibson playing at Stade de France without headgear because they did not like the alternative products and, incredibly, they collided - with disastrous results. Maxwell did not return and Gibson had stitches and then had to wear an unfamiliar scrum cap.

"We were annoyed about it, but we are not quite sure where we stand," NZRFU chief executive David Rutherford said yesterday. "The issue is still unclear. However, we are against any move which opposes black headgear."

Rutherford accepted that the IRB had made a ruling, but did not believe it had been fully ratified. Nor was he sure any decision on colour was lawful.

After the match, Rutherford flew to Ireland, where he met Sanzar partners Australia and South Africa to talk to them about a variety of issues - including headgear - which are to be discussed at this week's IRB meeting.

Unless some form of compromise can be reached, Maxwell and Gibson will be forced to wear an alternative style of head protection in the second test at Marseilles this weekend.

Rutherford said there had been no great progress with Sanzar so far about revamping the rugby calendar.

Australia, in particular, want the season altered so that the Super 12 comes after provincial competitions, but that imposes all sorts of problems for New Zealand, with its NPC, and South Africa with the Currie Cup.

"We are all looking hard at the issues," Rutherford said. "There is no question there are a lot of games and competitions overlapping. We are gathering as much information as we can in Europe and from each other.

"Both us and South Africa are working hard so we can find time for the players to get some breaks. But we have to meet our obligations for club, provincial and international fixtures and our broadcasting requirements."

A Sanzar conference on the game is scheduled for Perth early next month, when chief executives, coaches, players, referees and broadcasters will discuss next season and beyond.

"However, I am sure there will not be major changes, if that is what we decide, until 2002 at the earliest," Rutherford said.

"But this year has shown there are some things we have got to solve."

The All Blacks' itinerary next year has not been completed, but there will be home tests against Argentina (2), France (1) and Samoa (1), then the Tri-Nations.

At the end of 2001, the All Blacks will go to Britain - probably Ireland and Scotland - and may also visit Argentina for the first time since 1991.

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