Club Objects To Change

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31657, 18 April 1968, Page 11

Club Objects To Change

The senior Rugby match on Anzac Day, scheduled to be played between High School Old Boys and University A, has been changed to Linwood versus Marist.

“Because of representations made yesterday morning, the competitions committee decided to alter the draw,” the committee’s deputy chairman, Mr S. R. Southall, said last evening.

By its decision to play H. 5.0.8. and University on Anzac Day, the competitions committee had endeavoured to put on a game which would have great appeal to the public. Now, because of pressure from one club, a new game has been arranged. It may well be asked why H. 5.0.8., with their possible Canterbury representatives, A. G. Steel, P. K. Hatchwell, M. J. Millar and L. D. McIntosh, have any more right than Linwood, which has W. F. McCormick involved, and Marist, whose J. F. Burns would be assured of a place in the Canterbury team, to avoid this special club game. The C.R.U., in the light of this new development, may have to take a firm stand and adopt a consistent policy, advising clubs that decisions made by the management committee are aimed at the good of Canterbury Rugby as a whole.

The draw had been approved by the management 'committee on Tuesday evening Mr Southall said that he was unable to give the reasons the draw had been changed at such short notice. STRONG PRESSURE The draw was changed ■under strong pressure from the H. 5.0.8. club, says the I Rugby reporter of “The • Press.” | The H. 5.0.8. club, which played in the Anzac Day game last year against Christ- ] church, felt it was unfair that | its players should again be I deprived of the chance to 'represent Canterbury in the game against West Coast at (Greymouth. It -is understood I that the University club did I not complain. While the H. 5.0.8. club (may get some support for its ; loyalty to the players who may be chosen to play for Canterbury, its attitude underlines the insidious infiltration of club loyalties and prejudices into Canterbury Rugby, which was shown (when Mr G. T. Nolan was (dropped as Canterbury back selector on Tuesday.