New Zealand officials say Rugby tour can continue

New Zealand Rugby officials decided that a tour by the South African Springbok team should continue, and the government promised police extra support to cope with anti-apartheid demostrations. The Rugby Union Council said it could not accept the prospect that small groups of people using illegal methods could prevent the tour.

Officials refused to predict the future of the tour and said the police had the responsibility to decide whether any game on the tour could go ahead. The scheduled second match of the tour was canceled Saturday after 1,000 demonstrators occupied the pitch (playing ground) in the north island city of Hamilton.