Andy Haden led the Cavaliers to South Africa at the height of the apartied era, thought the New Zealand Rugby Union's apology to Maori was a waste of time and now claims the Crusaders choose team members based on skin colour.
Campbell Live reporter Mihingarangi Forbes spoke with Haden today:
“Now I think it's very pc to not discuss those sorts of things and I think if you have something like that, tuck it away in the recess of your mind, pretend it’s not there, you not being terribly honest about the situation because people discuss this kind of thing all over the country,” says Haden.
The claims have incensed Hamish Riack the head of Canterbury Rugby.
“What I said was that this is a very pc subject, people don't like to discuss it. It was in Laidlaw's book, I was asked a question about the browning of New Zealand rugby. The chapter in the book says the Crusaders are different from them like the Hurricanes and the Blues and my point was that I’d spoken to members of the Crusaders management previous times and they raised the subject and volunteered that they had a quota,” says Haden.
But he won't name names.
“I've had two All Blacks ring me up this morning and say they've had similar discussions and volunteered by Crusaders management at the time,” says Haden.
Todd Blackadder is lining up in support of Riack saying Haden's comments had brought the game into disrepute, hurt people and reputations, but Haden won't back down.
“Apologising for what? What would I apologise for? For having that opinion or having that discussion. Why would I apologise for that, that’s unfair to apologise for something that’s true,” says Haden.
“What about the term darkies, do you think that’s appropriate these days? I had no problem being called a honky or a whitey by guys I called a darkie and they don't care either. In your heart of hearts do you think that is a bad thing? “ says Haden.
Mihinarangi Forbes asks Haden: “So you're happy to use the term darkies? What about the term Horis or coconuts are they alright?
“Used in the right context, in jest and without any malicious intent and that’s what racism should be about, there’s no malice in those sorts of things. I had a Maori from Crusaders call me up laughing his head off and agreed with everything I'd said. There you go a Maori whose played a lot of rugby for Canterbury.
The man who appointed Haden to the World Cup, Sports Minister Murray McCully wasn't fronting up, he left it to the Prime Minister John Key.
“No, I don't think it’s ok and I've asked the Sports Minister Mr McCully to find a path way forward with him,” say Mr Key.
“I've asked Mr McCully the Sports Minister or he’s told me he’s having a meeting with Mr Haden to find a way forward, say Mr Key.
Steve Tew says that Haden might not be the right person to be an ambassador for the World Cup.
“Is he the right person to be CEO of New Zealand Rugby if he has opinions like that?” says Haden.
The Greens and the Maori party are calling for him to stand down.
“I've always had an opinions this is just another one, no I don't think I’ll be resigning,” says Haden.