No Welsh Matches; Fijian Feelings High

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31027, 5 April 1966, Page 19

No Welsh Matches; Fijian Feelings High

f.V Z Press Assn —Copyright; SUVA. Rugby Union feelings in Fiji are running high as the result of the failure to secure a match with Wales after the Welsh team’s New Zealand tour in 1969. The secretary of the Fiji Rugby Football Union (Mr D. J. Robinson) told the union's annual meeting that when Fiji had announced it would approach the Internationa] Rugby Board for a Welsh visit, an Australian delegate had said that if Wales would play any extra matches, Australia wanted them Mr Robinson said the Australian delegate had told him a year ago that Australia would fight Fiji for any more games. "That's how much support

[we get from Australia." Mr Robinson said. Mr D. W. Brown, who managed the Fijians oh their, successful tour of Wales in 1964, said he had received the impression during the tour that the International Rugby Board was waiting for a chance to rap Wales over the knuckles for inviting Fiji. Perhaps this was the rap., he said, adding: “Wales thought this visit would give them a chance to repay in some measure the tremendous , success of our visit - ” References to Australia ' were bitter and angry. Several speakers urged Fiji to “remember our friends” and par- ‘ ticularly Wales in future. “No Credit” The “Fiji Times,” in an editorial, said; “Sports writers in Britain find the International, Rugby Board's refusal inexplicable and condemn it as foolish and unjust, but the, board is not the only directing

.body which appears to show lup in a poor light. “If the views of Australian I Rugby authorities are cori rectly represented in the statement that Australia would oppose Welsh matches in Fiji because Australia wants them, the attitude does those authorities no credit." After referring to “contributions made to Rugby in Australia by visits of Fiji teams” the “Fiji Times” added: “The whole sorry business is a shock to those who apparently naively thought sportsmanship on the field extends to board rooms.”

The newspaper's columnist commented: ‘Tn 1952 Rugby was on its last legs in Australia. The Australian Union was as near as dammit to bankruptcy. The game and the union were saved by a single lifeline—an Australian tour by a team of Fijians. Did not Shakespeare have something to say about bitterness of benefits forgot?”