SOUTH AFRICAN TOUR

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25248, 29 July 1947, Page 8

SOUTH AFRICAN TOUR

RUGBY ROOTBALL

PROSPECTS FOR 1948 “PRETTY HOPELESS” OPINION OF MR S. S. DEAN (P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 28. The prospects of a New Zealand Rugby team going to South Africa next season are worse than ever, according to a brief discussion at to-day’s meeting of the management committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union. The chairman (Mr S. S. Dean) agreed with the tenor of a letter from Mr S. Pienaar, a well-known South African administrator, t£at the tour, at least as far as 1948 is concerned, was "pretty hopeless.” Mr Dean said the possibility had been explored of finding a way to South Africa by way of Batavia, “but," he added, “I should say that Batavia is about the last place to send a Rugby team these days.” Mr Dean said the letter he had received from Mr Pienaar indicated that South Africa had practicaHy decided it was hopeless to expect a New Zealand team next season. -He desired that the final decision should be postponed as long as possible in the hope that something might turn up. Apparently said Mr Dean. South Africa regarded the position as hopeless, and that was what he thought, too. They had the South African Government behind them and their High Commissioner in London was also pushing very hard, but it did not appear that they would be able to accomplish anything. Mr J. Prendeville said he was against the trip. It would be better to call it off. It was decided to send Mr Pienaar’s letter to members of the council.

RANFURLY SHIELD MATCH

OTAGO TEAM SELECTED (P.A.) DUNEDIN, July 25. The following is the Otago team to meet Southland in the first Ranfurly Shield match of the season at Invercargill on Saturday:— _ . Full-back: R. Orr. Three-quarters: G. J. Moore, J. M. Tanner, I. J. Dotting. v w Five-eighths: R. R. Elvidge (captain), I. A Colquhoun. , _ Half-back: L. W. Woodhouse or A. L. Mclndoe. „ Front row: P. Johnstone, A. Foster, K. Skinner. , ~ Middle row: D. Hamilton, L. Harvey, C. Willocks, J. McNab. Back row: K. J. O’Connor. Emergencies: backs,. R. F. Waldron, S. Sutherland, and either Woodhouse or Mclndoe; forwards, T. Wallace, A. E. HeUyer. W. I. Perriam and J. C. Kearney were not available because of injuries. The average weight of the pack is 14st 21b.

SOUTHLAND REFEREES UNION RESENTS REPORTED REMARKS (P.A.) INVERCAPGILL, July 28. Remarks reported to have been made by a member of the Canterbury Rugby Union about Southland referees were discussed this evening by the Southland Rugby Union, which carried the following resolution: “According to a report which appeared in the newspapers, a member of the Canterbury Rugby Union made a statement which cast reflection on the integrity of members of the Southland Rugby Referees’ Association. If the member has been correctly reported, this union strongly resents the sentiments expressed and requests the Canterbury Union to ask for the withdrawal of the remarks. The Southland Union regrets that this situation has arisen and in the interests of Rugby and good sportsmanship suggests that the decisions of referees should be accepted without casting a reflection on the probity of the referees.”

RUGBY LEAGUE FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY Seniors.—Addington v. Sydenham, at Bradford Park, 2.30 p.m. (referee, E. Smith); Christchurch v. Papanui, at Sydenham Park. 2.30 p.m. (referee, H Mills!: Linwood v. Riccarton, at Linwod Park, 2JO p.m. (referee. H. Hamburger); Hornby v. Rakaia,. at Rakafo.,2-30 p.jn. (referee. A Hamburger); Prebbleton a bye. Juniors.—Christchurch v. St. Joseph’s, at Jerrold strfeet, 2.30 p.m. (referee, R. Barbarei); Linwood v. Riccarton, at Riccarton Domain, 2.30 p.m. (referee, A. E. Allen); Aranui v Rakaia, at Rakaia, I p.m. (referee, S Smith); Dallington v. Woolston, at Avon Park, &30 p.m. irefree, E. Barbarei); Papanui v. Sydenham, at Papanui No. 1. 2.30 p.m. (referee, G. Allen). Third Grade.—Hornby v. Papanui, at Papanui, 2.30 p.m. (referee, F. Stevens); Linwood v. Riccarton, at Linwood Park, 1 p.m. (referee, P. Kirton); Dallington v. Woolston, at Avon Park, 1 p.m. (referee, T. Wilson); Sydenham a bye. Fourth Grade.—Dallington v. Sydenham, at Bromley Park, 2JO p.m. (referee, J. O’Loughlin); Christchurch A v. Papanui, at Jerrold street, 1 p.m. (referee, M. Biggs); Riccarton v. St. Joseph’s, at Spreydon Domain, 2.30 p.m. (referee, E. McGuire); Prebbleton v. Christchurch B, at Prebbleton, 2 p.m. (referee, J. Mulqueen). Schoolboys

Under 9st.—Hornby v. Syd., Hornby Dorn., 1 p.m. (referee, P. Hogan); Chch. v. Papanui, Bradford. Park, 1 pm. (referee, L. Blackley). Under 7st.—Chch. v. Hornby, Syd. PR., 1 p.m. (referee, T Wellsmore); Prebbleton v. Woolston, Woolston Park, 10.30 (referee, T Wellsmore); Riccarton v. Addington, Jerrold street, 10.30 (referee, E. Smith); Linwood v. St. Joseph’s, Spreydon Domain 1 p.m. (referee, E. Ozannei. Under 6st.—Chch. v. Dallington, Avon Park, 10.30 (referee, N. Clarke); Aranui v. Papanui, Bromley Park, 10.30 (referee. P Kirton).

Under sst, seven-a-aide.—Chch. A v. Woolston, Syd. Pk.» 3 p.m. (referee, T Wellsmore); Riccarton v. Papanui, Riccarton Domain, 3 p.m. (referee, W. Ockwell); Chch. B v. Dallington B, Avon Park, 3 p.m. (referee,’ T. Wilson); Prebbleton v. Dallington A, Jerrold street, 3 p.m. (referee, M. Biggs); Dallington v. Rakaia, Bradford Park, 3 p.m. (referee. L Blackler).

6st Trials, Woolston Park, 1 p.m.— Pearce, Kingsford, H. Ross, O. Whitley, R. Gilliard, C Miller, Scott, J. Withers, G. Cherry, T. Holden, Blewitt, Campbell (Ara.). Campbell (Wool), McGregor, Dell, N Smith, B. Smith, Greygoose, P. Tuck, R Clark, N. Clark, M. Taylor, Ruderford, Sheeman, Herriott, Hardy, Hoskin. Dineen, Bower. Moulton. Sanford. J. Hili. Advt.