RUGBY CONTROL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 69, 22 March 1928, Page 7

RUGBY CONTROL.

FAT IN THE FIRE.

Scot Opposition To Colonial

Tours.

E.R.U. FEARS A SPLIT.

(By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.)

(Received 9 a.m.)

LONDON, March 21

"Sporting Life" states: "The Rugby world has been warned for the past six years that the farcical constitution of the so-called International Board would lead us into danger. That moment has arrived in the form of a cabled statement by Mr. S. F. Wilson, president of the Canterbury Rugby Union, New Zealand, that a real menace exists to British Rugby unity. "The time undoubtedly has arrived when stronger action is necessary if we are to retain the Dominions as friends. The English Union is the Dominioas' best friend, but Scotland is violently antagonistic, and Ireland is supporting Scotland's attitude."

It is understood the International Rugby Board's majority decision not to send a team to New Zealand in 193 ft is not likely to prevent a team going. If the English Union is unable meanwhile to persuade the other three unions to co-operate it is likely to send a purely English team.

"We do not know what underlies the Scottish opposition," said an authority. "It cannot definitely be said whether that union is trying to abolish international tours, but it is certainly unsympathetic thereto. The Irish members support them, thus the board is divided. One section believes the tours should be encouraged in the interests of Empire sentiment, as well as sport, while the other stubbornly opposes such tours." — (Sydney "Sun")

AN " INSULTING " DECISION.

SEAL MENACE TO UNITY.

(Received 10 a.m.) LONDON, March 21. "Insulting," is the word used by "Sporting Life," to describe the International Rugby Board's decision not to send a team to New Zealand in response to the Dominion's invitation. Unquestionably there is now the real menace of an Anglo-Dominions Rugby split.

Prominence is given to-day to the cabled statement of Mr. S. F. Wilson, New Zealand delegate to the International Conference of 1925, that no British team will ever visit New Zealand so long as the men at present in charge of affairs in .Scotland and Ireland have a say in the matter. The cable significantly adds that the decision will net affect future visits of their (New Zealand's) team to England.

"Sporting Life's" expert, C. W. Packford, in an article, says the time undoubtedly has arrived when drastic action must be adopted if Britain is to retain the Dominions as Rugby friends.

"The constitution of the board is all wrong," he continues. "Australia, NewZealand and South Africa merely occupy the position of outcasts, incapable ot discussing any important point in common with the council of the Home unions. England is the best friend the Dominions possess. Wales appears to be neutral, and Scotland violently antagonistic to our overseas brothers. Ireland gives the impression of supporting Scotland in everything, and the attitude of Scotland towards New Zealand is anything but pleasurable.

"Surely," adds Mr. Packford, "we are not going to lose the friendship of three centres of the Empire who have given some of the most magnificent players and' sportsmen the game ever produced." —(Sydney "Sun")