Crippled players launch damages case against New Zealand Rugby Football Union

Rugby Union

A group of 15 crippled players with serious spinal injuries has launched a damages legal action against the New Zealand Rugby Football Union. The quadriplegic and tetraplegic former players are suing for exemplary damages, claiming the union's negligence caused their serious and permanent injuries. Tane Norton, the former All Black hooker and captain, is supporting the action and believes a compulsory Union-run player insurance scheme is essential, as well as scrum instruction and control by coaches and referees. He also wants scrum-setting rules altered to make the game safer.

Llanelli have signed three Welsh international forwards, Andrew Gibbs from Newbridge, Mike Voyle from Newport and Bridgens's Steve Ford.

Worcester, the Division Four North club, have signed the Harlequins lock, Steve Lloyd.

NEW ZEALAND (Tri-series test v South Africa, Lancaster Park, Christchurch, tomorrow): C Cullen; J Wilson, F Bunce, W Little, J Lomu; A Mehrtens, J Marshall; C Dowd, S Fitzpatrick (capt), O Brown, R Brooke; I Jones, M Jones, J Kronfeld, Z Brooke,

SOUTH AFRICA: A Joubert; J Small, J Mulder, B Venter, P Hendricks; H Honiball, J van der Westhuizen; O du Randt, J Allan, M Hurter, M Andrews, J Ackermann, G Teichmann, R Kruger, F Pienaar (capt).