This is a Journal entry by Lonnytunes - Winter Is Here
Rugby Shocker
Lonnytunes - Winter Is Here Started conversation Apr 19, 2002
If International Rugby Board (IRB) chairman Vernon Pugh sees NZ Sports Minister Trevor Mallard headed his way, he shouldn't turn his back.
Angry at New Zealand losing a share of the Rugby World Cup, a "gutted" Mr Mallard was asked what remedies the Government could now take. He suggested he would like to perform a sensitive operation on Mr Pugh and Australian Rugby Union boss John O'Neill, using a sponsor's product.
"They (remedies) do involve Heinekens in particularly uncomfortable places," he said.
Dutch brewer Heineken is a major sponsor of the 2003 event, which will now be hosted entirely in Australia.
Prime Minister Helen Clark laughed off her minister's outburst. "Trevor is a red-blooded passionate rugby supporter and he is really expressing the disappointment of every rugby-supporting person in the country," she said.
Asked if the "uncomfortable places" threat was out of line, she said: "I'm not getting into that".
Miss Clark said the decision was very disappointing for New Zealand rugby lovers. "I guess the best comeback is to win it."
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