French keen to visit N.Z.

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33061, 31 October 1972, Page 28

French keen to visit N.Z.

(From

ALAN GRAHAM,

N.Z.P.A. staff correspondent)

PARIS. The French national Rugby league team is keen to visit New Zealand next year.

Officials of the French Rugby League said in Marseilles that the tour would depend on finances, but for the present the league stuck to its intention —first announced in 1970-—to tour Australia and New Zealand in 1973. The French want to be away from home for about five or six weeks, which would give them a week and a half in New Zealand. “This is the minimum time we would accept,” said the New Zealand Rugby League president (Mr R. McGregor). “We would like at least two tests and a game against Auckland, and possibly one other game.” CYCLE AGREED The full cycle of tours agreed to by the International Rugby League Board in Paris last week is: 1973, Australia to Europe, France to Australia and New Zealand; 1974, Britain to Australia and New Zealand; 1975, World Cup in Australia and New Zealand; 1976, New Zealand to Europe; 1977, Australia to Europe; 1978, Britain to Australia and New Zealand. Mr McGregor said this cycle would give New Zealand top visiting teams foi the next three years. While New Zealand had yet to share out the 1975 World Cup fixtures with Aus-

tralia, at least two games would be played in New Zealand, and the N.Z.R.L. was hopeful of getting a third game—perhaps for Christchurch. The cycle does not give New Zealand a tour of Europe during those three years, but Mr McGregor thinks New Zealand’s top players could be ready for a rest after three such tours in the last three years. In this time New Zealand may arrange more tours of Australia.

Tours to Australia might be in some jeopardy, however. After the international

board had decided against changing the international four-tackle rule to six tackles, Australia declared unilaterally that it was continuing its six-tackle experiment and was not interested in having tourists from anywhere unless they agreed to play six tackles.

The board agreed that Australia and Britain could continue their six-tackle experiments, and that international matches could be played under those rules in those countries.

The board agreed to New Zealand’s submission that to improve scrums, the laws should be changed to prevent props standing upright. DECISIONS Other law decisions which come into effect next season, are that hookers may use either foot, but only one foot (at present they are supposed to use the fourth foot, but many get away with using the third, and that players once replaced cannot come back on to the field. Britain’s bid to double the value of a field goal to two was defeated. The international metric measurements for Rugby league will see a field of 100 metres with a 22-metre line instead of the old 25. Ten yards will become 10 metres, and five yards five metres,

and the posts will be 5.5 metres apart with a bar at 3.05 metres. REPLACEMENTS?

Meantime, D. K. Mann and A. P. Coll are almost certain to replace the injured props, R. H. Paul and M. H. Mohi in New Zealand’s team to play Australia tomorrow.

Paul and Mohi were both limping badly with ankle injuries when the Kiwis flew back to Paris after losing, 20-9, to France at Marseilles, and Paul is to see a doctor about his injured ankle. The big Wellington prop fell awkwardly in a tackle 10 minutes into the second half and was assisted from the field soon after. Mohi also injured his ankle in a tackle.

It is likely that Mann will prop with D. J. Gailey, who played in the second row on Saturday. M. K. Eade would move from loose forward to take Gailey’s place in the second row, with Coll coming in at loose forward for his first full test.

No changes are likely in the backs. J. C. O’Sullivan also injured an ankle in the last few minutes at Marseilles, but was walking well last night and should be available. If he cannot play, J. Wilson would probably move in at full-back, with J. A. Whittaker taking O’Sullivan’s place at centre.