Rugby: Scotland denies a 'slap in the face' for locals

By CHRIS RATTUE

The Scottish rugby side have struck controversy on the eve of tomorrow's match against East Coast-Poverty Bay, with locals saying they have been "slapped in the face" by the tourists' refusal to attend welcoming ceremonies.

But Scottish coach Ian McGeechan last night strongly denied that his team had snubbed the unions, saying he was keen for his players to experience local customs and traditions.

McGeechan said they had been unable to attend the functions because they had only two days in Gisborne to prepare for the game.

He said the Scots received a Maori welcome at Waitangi, would receive another at New Plymouth and had also been involved with school visits.

"The last thing we want to do is upset anybody. We only have two days here and I hope the local officials will understand that."

The Scots told the unions last Wednesday, through their liaison officer, that they would not attend a welcome at a Gisborne marae and a hangi at the Irish Rover pub, both scheduled for yesterday.

They also turned down a request for players not involved in tomorrow's match at Rugby Park to make visits to schools.

East Coast chief executive Anthony Nelson said: "We are offended over the fact the Scots didn't accept.

"It's a slap in the face.

"We sent an itinerary to them and it was accepted, but they pulled out last Wednesday. We don't have many opportunities to host international teams. No reason was given, but maybe it is something to do with the new professional era."

East Coast-Poverty Bay captain Horace Lewis said the area prided itself on the hospitality it extended to visitors.

"We are warm, welcoming people and at least they could show their faces.

"But it doesn't worry me - they are the ones missing out."

Coach Joe McClutchie, from East Coast, said the controversy would fire his side up, although he did not expect a predicted crowd of 7000 would give the Scots an overly-hostile reception.

McClutchie has named a team with a balance between players from the two unions who fought out last season's third division final, which East Coast won 18-15 at Ruatoria. It will be led by the 31-year-old former North Harbour forward Lewis, who is now playing for East Coast.

Neither McClutchie nor Lewis had seen the Scots' big loss to the Vikings in Whangarei, but the team was due to watch a tape after going into camp last night.

Meanwhile, McGeechan had no complaints about referee Paddy O'Brien's performance in Whangarei. He was grateful for the help O'Brien gave him in interpretations.

He said Northern Hemisphere referees were stricter on tackled ball rules, especially over what constituted a player remaining on his feet, and his side had to adapt to the Southern Hemisphere style.

"The $100,000 question is whether we can adapt in time, but I've always believed when we tour here we must become a New Zealand side."

East Coast-Poverty Bay: Doone Harrison, Jason Bright, Graeme Walker, Jamie Allan, Maurice Kerekere, Dennis Hune, Trevor Crosby; Horace Lewis (c), Johnny Martin, Toka Liku, Kele Leawere, Wirihana Raihania, Tane Rickard, Grant Allen, Pene Fotuaiki. Res: Victor Taingahue, Theo Jones, Mana Pohatu, Jamie Hutana, Maurice Broughton, Derek Leefe, Chris Fougere.

Scotland: Derrick Lee, Cameron Murray, Craig Moir, David Officer, Graham Shiel (c), Chris Paterson, Graeme Beveridge; Jon Petrie, Martin Leslie, Stewart Campbell, Scott Murray, Don McKinnon, Barry Stewart, Steve Scott, Alan Jacobsen. Res: Graeme Burns, Alan Bulloch, Sean Longstaff; Roland Reid, Iain Fullarton, Mattie Stewart, Steve Brotherstone.