Delme Parfitt
WALES' tour to Argentina descended into farce today with captain Colin Charvis going on strike over payment for media interviews. The controversial skipper is understood to be refusing to speak to journalists because the Welsh Rugby Union has refused him additional cash to perform the extra press duties that go with his role.
Each player in Mike Ruddock's squad receives an extra #1,000 for media work that goes with their status. And past captains are reported to have received an annual #10,000 bonus. Now it's thought Charvis believes he is entitled to more money and is gagging himself under protest.
The former British Lion's agent Peter Underhill was due to hold telephone talks with the Wales management out in Argentina today in a bid to resolve the issue. "Both sides have agreed not to say a lot on this at the moment, but there is a bit of a dispute, though there is more behind it than meets the eye," he said.
"I can confirm that the Wales players are being paid #1,000 over and above their contracts to meet media commitments. That was the deal as told to me by the Wales management."
Ruddock is likely to be inwardly annoyed at the prospect of such a row having any effect on preparations for tomorrow's first Test against the Pumas at Tucuman.
