RUGBY RECRUITS.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 162, 10 July 1924, Page 13

RUGBY RECRUITS.

A HUNDRED LEAGUE PLAITEKS. IL-NUKAU HOVERS "GO OVER." During the past i|;n years, in which the Rugby League game has appeared aa a rival to the Rugby Union in several partsof New Zealand, it has been the experience in more than one centre for a team of the national game of football to "go over" to the opposition. That occurred some years ago in Auckland when the Railway team went over after having w|,n the A.R.U. club championship. This year Marist Club, in Christchurch, went one better, in that the whole club withdrew from the Canterbury Eugby Union and the senior team and a large proportion of the juniors went over to League, while some of the junior teams took up Soccer. '. Now in Auckland a case has occurred m which a League club has officially expressed its intention and desire to change over en masse to the Rugby Union game. s There may have been an incident which was in effect a parallel to this in other centres where the League game is played jess seriously and generally than it is U Auckland, but this is the first official rase of a club going over in a body from the League to the Rugby game. Last Bight the president and the secretary of the Manukau Rovers Club waited on the Management Committee of the Auckland Eugby Union, and stated that the club's committee had decided to go over to Rugby, and the players had stated their intention of abiding by the comnuttee's decision. The club consisted of s « junior teams, comprising about 100 P'aycrs, and in the event of playing ftagby they desired to retain their idengty as a separate club. _Mr. H. Frost, chairman of the A.RU. Committee, stated that the union would consider the request, but pointed out tnat every member of the Manukau Club would have to apply individually for reinstatement. The committee discussed we matter, and decided to accept the •Manukau Rovers as a club. A meeting of the club is to be held m evening to receive the decision of m A.R.U. Committee and to discuss . future plans.