International Rugby Tours May Be Shorter

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29264, 23 July 1960, Page 15

International Rugby Tours May Be Shorter

(New Zealand Press Association!

. WELLINGTON, July 22. The visit to South Africa and the United Kingdom by the chairman ot the New Zealand RugbyUnion council (Mr C. S. Hogg) could revolutionise the international tours programme. Mr Hogg, who leaves New Zealand tomorrow week, will discuss with South African administrators the composition of any future New Zeeland teem to tour that country. Following the furore over the racial consideration of the present tour, Mr Hogg’s discussions and the results will have unusual significance. Also there is another important aspect of other future tours. Mr Hogg, in an interview today, said: “I believe, as the New Zealand Rugby Union believes, that the future of international Rugby lies in the short tour—visits of a duration of five to eight matches. “We are looking forward to seeing one of the four Home unions—England, Ireland, Scotland, or Wales—in New Zealand in 1963 for a short tour. He said that just as South Africa had had a short tour by a Scottish team shortly before the All Blacks* visit, so New Zealand might expect a tour in 1963.

before an AU Black teem set off for Britain and France in 196364. Discussion In Britain Mr Hogg expects to attend a meeting on September 3 with the four Home unions’ tour committee to discuss these short-tour projects. Earlier today, during discussion a< a meeting of the council, it had been pointed out that 1963 would be an ideal year for a short tour at New Zeeland by one of the four Home union teams Mr Hogg said that in 1961 South Africa was to visit the British Isles and France to visit New Zealand. In 1962 the British Isles was to visit South Africa and in 1963 Australia was to tour South Africa was to visit the British Isles has a free year. That will be an ideal year for one of the four Home unions to come here for a short tour.” he said.

Mr Hogg will discuss with the South Africans the possibility of a Junior Springbok tour ot New Zealand next year and. with the French, the itinerary for their tour next year.