REPLACING ALL BLACKS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29178, 12 April 1960, Page 18

REPLACING ALL BLACKS

“No Discussion By Australia” (NX Press Association—CapintoM) SYDNEY, April 11. The treasurer of the Australian Rugby .Union, Mr Charles Blunt,' said today he thought New Zealand would still go through with lts ‘ oU £. to - Afri “- Mr Blunt was commenting on a report from South Africa Which quoted Dr. Dgnie Craven, president of the South African Rugby Board, as claiming Drat the Atwtralian Wallabies were standing by to tour South Africa if th© All Blacks declined. Mr Blunt said: "The suggestion that the Wallabies are wait* ing to go to Africa, is wide of the beam, because we have never dis* cussed such an idea. It has neveg even been considered officially here that the All Black tour could be off. “My opinion is that the All Black tour will take place. However, if it did not, and SouthAfrica invited Australia, I think every effort would be made to comply with the South African request.” Mr Blunt said: “We certainly have to give serious thought to it. We need overseas tours badly for our players. “If the All Blacks decided not to go and we were invited, it would be hardly possible to follow the same schedule. I doubt whether an Australian team could leave here before the middle of June. “One problem that would arise would be that the New South Wales country teams are scheduled to visit the South Island of New Zealand. No doubt some country players would have strong claims to positions in any Australian touring team,” he said. The suggestion that Australia might be called on as a lastminute replacement for the All Blacks had Australian Rugby authorities buzzing today. The general feeling appeared to be that New Zealand would carry out its commitments. Rugby writers said tonight that Australia was hardly prepared to stage a full-scale tour of South Africa. In spite of the New South Wales defeat of the British Isles last year, the national sides performed poorly, the writers said.