LATE SPORTING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 271, 28 August 1946, Page 6

LATE SPORTING

SOUTH AFRICAN RUGBY TOUR CONTROVERSY OVER MAORIS (Rec. 12.40) CAPETOWN; Aug. 27. Commenting on the New Zealand Rugby Union official, Mr J. Prende ville’s suggestion, that the New Zealand 1948 Rugby touring team may include Maoris, the Nationalist Afrikaans newspaper “Die Transvaaler,” under the heading, “Politics in International Rugby,” states: “Such a team would not be acceptable to South Africa and the New Zealand authorities should know it.” The paper warns the South African Rugby Board not to allow the game- to be misused for an attempt by New Zealand to carry on a sort of political propaganda. Other opinions quoted in the “Natal Mercury” included, Natal’s captain Bawdon Coombe: “We played the Maoris in the Middle East. They are grand sportsmen, and were just New Zealanders to us on the field.” The New Zealand referee, Dr. Jack Drummond: “If they were good enough to fight alongside the South Africans, they are good enough to play Rugby with.”

BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT ASHBURTON DEFEATED (P.A.) TAURANGA, This Day. Play in the New Zealand basketball championship tournament began today in glorious weather. Twenty-five teams are participating, with eight in \the first grade, nine in the second and I eight in the third. I Play in the opening games was of a I high standard and attracted wide pubI lie interest. Following were the results of this morning’s play:— ! First Grade —Manawatu 11, I-lawlce’s i Bay .9; Auckland 18, Otago 4 ; Southhand 11, Wanganui S. | Second Grade —Southland Minor 11, Ashburton 4; Horowhemia 16, Waikato 15; Taranaki 2*o, Rotorua-Bay of Plenty 10; IJutt Valley 10, Poverty Bay 13. Third Grade —Wairoa 13, Auckland Minor 10; Tauranga 30, Hawke’s Bay Minor 9; Nelson 13, Kaikoura S; Auckland Minor .19, Marlborough 10; Can- ' terbury Minor 12, Wairoa 8.