RUGBY FOOTBALL

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27035, 9 May 1953, Page 4

RUGBY FOOTBALL

ALL BLACK TOUR OF AUSTRALIA NO INVITATION FOR VISIT NEXT SEASON. (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) SYDNEY, May 8. The Australian Rugby Union has decided not to invite a New Zealand team to tour Australia next season. A cablegram was received from the New Zealand Rugby Union stating its desire to send a team next year. « The New Zealand Union will be told that Australia has invited the Fijians here in 1954, and a New Zealand team will be invited to tour Australia in 1955.

According to a Press Association message, the chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union (Mr C. S. Hogg) said when this message was referred to him that the New Zealand Union had also invited the Fijians to tour next season and had offered to send a New Zealand Maori team to Fiji. The New Zealand Union, he said, owed Australia an All Black tour and was anxious to make it in 1954, so that an Australian team could come to New Zealand in the following year as a preparation for the Springboks’ tour in 1956. It would be most unusual to have an Australian team here and an All Black team in Australia in the same season. Mr Hogg said the Australian Union's reply would be considered by the New Zealand Union on Monday night. ALTERATIONS TO DRAW Third Grade A.—Albion wins by default from University A; Albion ,v. R.N.Z.AJT. (friendly game), Beckenham Park, at 3 p.m. (B. Schimanski). Advt. MERIVALK CLUB Would all under-weight grade players who have not yet weighed in, please report to Mr Dick, club captain, at No. 13 ground, North Hagley Park, at 9.45 a.m. Saturday, May 9? Advt.