RUGBY Council Controls Friendly Matches

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29797, 13 April 1962, Page 13

RUGBY Council Controls Friendly Matches

(Aeu- Zeuland Press Association) WELLINGTON. April 12. Rugby clubs in larger centres were participating in a “Dutch auction’’ in making offers to “name” players to induce them to go to their areas to play in non-competitive games, said the retiring chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union (Mr C. S. Hogg) at the union’s annual meeting yesterday.

He was speaking to a council motion seeking to give tee council some control over these games This motion was passed. It means the council must be approached for consent before unions arrange a match which involves invitations to any player outside the organising union. "Players have told me the) don't want to go to games, but fear they will prejudice their chances ol future selection because of the standing of some administrators in the area in which the game is to be placed." said Mr Hogg ■’There is no objection for the friendly game on a reasonable basis, but we must con-

trol the situation, for it la getting out ol hand, it could destroy the whole spirit of Rugby football.” he said Mr R L. Burke (Auckland) said there was some misconception among players in hi, union. Obviously there was no question of ii-.ter'rring with a player's liberties It «u simply a matter at control Mr T. H Pearce (Auckland) said every now and then it was necessary to make a stocktaking There had been s lot of ill-informed talk on this subject. Players were saying they are not going to be controlled out of season. "There is no question of acting arbitrarily, but when it comes to a matter under the auspices of a club affiliated to the N.Z.R.U. then it is our business and if it Is not one business then we should not be here." he said.