Oliver likely to escape punishment

All Blacks hooker Anton Oliver is unlikely to face disciplinary action from the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) over his controversial book.

NZRU deputy chief executive Steve Tew said he had no concerns after "flicking through" an advance copy of Anton Oliver - Inside.

"I haven't looked through it carefully yet, but I've read the bits in the newspapers and there's nothing that would support any action at this stage," Tew said yesterday.

Oliver's book rips into an excessive booze culture in the All Blacks, the hooker saying it was at its worst under coaches John Mitchell and Robbie Deans from 2001 to 2003.

He also details his bitter falling out with former All Blacks, Highlanders and Otago coach Laurie Mains.

In a chapter titled Highlanders Hullabaloo, Oliver said Mains was "too often petty, needlessly picky about some matters, and was manipulative".

Tew said Oliver's book was unusual in that it was written by a current employee.

"A lot of books tend to be written after they leave our employment and we have no rights any different to anybody else after that. If people have an issue then they can sue."

Mains' public relations company issued a statement yesterday saying the book "grossly misrepresented the facts surrounding the 2003 Highlanders' issue" .

The statement claimed Tew and Rugby Players' Association head Rob Nichol brokered a deal not to speak publicly about the issue, which Oliver had broken repeatedly.

Tew said Oliver had been made aware of all his responsibilities.

"We have reminded Anton of his responsibilities under his NZRU contract and he's very aware of that.

"He does have to get our consent to write a book as he's still contracted."

Tew said the NZRU could take "disciplinary action", fine or suspend Oliver if it deemed he had breached his contractual obligations or brought the game into disrepute.

The NZRU's legal department would look through the book, he said.

Oliver said a drinking culture soured his early All Blacks experiences, including missing a team meeting because he was drunk.

"A lot of the senior members of the team encouraged me to go out and get sloshed. I did ... it took a bit of gloss off my first test cap."

Another midweek team drinking session nearly cost the All Blacks a loss to Argentina in 2001.

"I thought 'we are teaching them that this is what it is to be an All Black -- to drink a lot of booze'," he writes.

Deans did not want to comment on Oliver's version of events.

"I'm not interested in going there. He's entitled to his views. He's given good service to New Zealand rugby and I wish him well."

Tew said the "booze culture" was in the past.

"It's changed through all professional sport in New Zealand ... the good old days of the sheriff in the back of the bus are over."

- NZPA