RUGBY IN JAPAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 65, 17 March 1936, Page 6

RUGBY IN JAPAN.

It was in 1875 that the first interprovincial Rugby matches were played in New Zealand. At that time, the country now called Japan was scarcely known to the Western world, for only a few years before had the bitter conflict over the question of admitting the "barbarians" been determined and a beginning been made with the reshaping of Japanese life on European lines. It could not have been imagined by anyone that a New Zealand Rugby team would one day visit Japan and there engage in contests with teams of a quality far from negligible. From the returning University players' accounts it may be judged that Japanese Rugby exponents lack little more than frequent experience against foreign teams to make thein rivals to be reckoned with. They have defeated Canadian and Australian teams, and they were able to draw the final Test against New Zealand.

Athletes who go to a strange country bear a considerable responsibility. The University Rugby players were obviously regarded as national representatives, and New Zealand was judged by their public sports- | manship and their private conduct. The impression they made and left behind was apparently exceedingly favourable, and that from the national point of view is all that matters. New Zealanders will hope. for an opportunity of returning the generous hospitality with Avhich the Japanese treated the University team throughout its tour.