22 July 2004
Rather read a book?
Prime Minister Helen Clark's statement that she would rather be at home reading a book than attending a rugby test is
"disappointing but not surprising," according to the National Party spokesman on Sport, Murray McCully.
"Over a number of years, both as Minister of Sport and Opposition spokesman on Sport, I have been hosted by the Rugby
Union to test matches. I regard it as a huge privilege to have been invited, both because of the quality of the
spectacle and the significance of the occasion to followers of our national sport.
"The Prime Minister's assertion that she would rather be at home reading a book is disappointing but not surprising.
"The real reason the Prime Minister attends of course is that she wishes to be associated with New Zealand's most
popular and successful sport purely for political reasons. We are now indebted to her for spelling this out so clearly,"
says Mr McCully.
ENDS