Maori rugby too racial for South Africa?

In one of rugby's great ironies, the proposed match between New Zealand Maori and the Springboks in June could be canned because of the racial composition of the Kiwi side.

The match, mooted to be played in Soweto as one of a couple of warmup clashes for the Boks before their series against the British and Irish Lions, is now in doubt because of logistical issues, primary of which is South African objections to the "racial" selection of the Maori side.

The Boks are due to meet Namibia in Windhoek in late May, but wanted to add the much tougher fixture against the Maori lineup in June as a final shakedown.

Discussions had been taking place between the New Zealand and South African national unions over the match going ahead, with the NZRU keen to establish a fixture for the Maori side in an otherwise empty calendar for 2009.

The Springboks' three-test series against the Lions kicks off in Durban on June 20 and coach Peter de Villiers sees the Maori as an ideal shakedown befor the Lions.

"The game in Soweto is subject to certain conditions and has not been finalised, but I hope it will happen," he told the Rapport newspaper.

"It will help me a great deal for my preparation. We can't take on the Lions without warmup games."

The Maori, who won the Pacific Nations Cup last year, have been controversially dumped from the NZRU's international programme in 2009, replaced by the Junior All Blacks.

In a statement, SA Rugby confirmed the New Zealand Rugby Union had inquired about the Maori team playing the fixture but also highlighted a number of factors that stood in the way of the match being given the green-light.

Bringing the Maori side to the republic was estimated to cost in the millions of rand, meaning a sponsor would have to be found.

But, based on the statement from SA Rugby, the biggest stumbling block seemed to be a President's Council resolution regarding opponents selected along racial lines.

"SA Rugby is examining the possibility but no decision has been taken on whether the offer will be accepted and there are several obstacles to overcome should we wish to pursue the offer," SA Rugby strategic communications manager Andy Colquhoun said.

"They include the financial viability of the project, logistics around venues and player availability and the fundamental stumbling block of a long-established President's Council resolution forbidding the appearance of SARU teams against opponents selected along racial lines.

"A final decision is not expected until the end of March," he said.

There was no mention from SA Rugby about how the President's Council stance stacks up against a South African government decree that a certain quota of non-white players have to be selected for the Springboks.

- © Fairfax NZ News