NEWS REPORT

Give me strength Lord. Let’s see if I have this straight…

The CRU Board of Directors fired a coach with the world-renowned qualifications of David Clark. The CRU Board then offered him a year’s salary to do nothing out of money they simply do not have. The CRU Board did not have the foresight to have a replacement ready (even if they could find a coach with half of Clark’s qualifications).

The CRU Board has enacted this Dieppe-like plan just as the Canadian Men’s team is preparing for a fall test against the reigning World Champions.

Last but not least, our eloquent President has said “We have examined our priorities and focus most carefully and concluded that a change of coach will assist us in reaching our goals”.

O.K…If “our goals” include becoming the laughing stock of not only the International Rugby Community but also the entire sporting world, then I think we are on the road to success. If “our goals” include having the Wallabies score over 100 points on us this fall, then we’re right again - definitely attainable with this intelligent mandate of “priorities and focus”.

If “our goals” include self-respecting Canadian Internationals disassociating themselves with the CRU and withdrawing their services, then again, success is within our grasp. I could go on but I will respect the space limitations of the Internet.

Not allowing player representatives to vote? Ignoring an important letter from the Captain and Canada’s most capped International ever? Al Charron garners more respect from the International rugby community in one appearance than the entire cast of pompous stuffed shirts calling themselves CRU directors do in their combined achievements, on or off the field. Do these people not understand the loyalty and respect Canadian players have for David Clark? I would not want to be a CRU Director within 1000 miles of my former roommate Danny Baugh when he heard of this absurd decision. Who do these four directors think they represent? They could possibly be the only four living people in Canada that that think this action could possibly help the deplorable state of Canadian Rugby.

Let me make a statement here that I hope does not sugar coat my feelings on this issue: It is my belief that these four board members and their supporters, if they exist, are the most ignorant, self-serving, conniving backstabbers that I have ever seen at any level of any sporting organization.

If this utterly incomprehensible, inexcusable and indefensible decision does not totally galvanize support for the “Agents of Change” and create insurmountable momentum for them at the upcoming AGM, then I hold no further hope for Canadian chances of respectability or qualification into the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

In shock and disbelief on the West Coast I remain,

Tom Woods - Canadian International 1984-1997