Rugby’s ‘big 4’ clubs to clash

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33452, 6 February 1974, Page 24

Rugby’s ‘big 4’ clubs to clash

Linwood, the champion senior Rugby team of Christchurch, has accepted an invitation to play in a quadrangular tournament which might provide impetus for the move towards a national club league.

The energetic and affluent Petone club has organised a “big four” contest in Wellington on March 30 and 31. The contestants will be the champion sides of the four main centres — Manukau (Auckland), Green Island (Dunedin), Petone, and Linwood. The Petone club has made, elaborate plans for the tournament, even though it has had a big job on its

hands in organising the' senior team’s trip to South .Africa. The Petone side will ! return from its tour only three days before the tournament. The club will supply free air travel for 21 players and two officials from each of the visiting, sides, and will help meet accommodation costs. The contest will be on a round-robin basis; each team will play three matches in • two days. Four top referees from Wellington have been engaged for the games. Linwood will have almost all the members of its 1973 team at the tournament, including the captain and All: Black hooker, R. W. Norton, and the indefatigable W. F. McCormick. PLAYERS KEEN “The boys are as keen as mustard about playing in the tournament.” the Linwood club captain (Mr I. Burdon) said yesterday. "They are carrying out beach training with a will. The tournament should attract a lot of interest, and it will do the club a lot of good if we can pull it off.” Linwood will not want for [vocal support. A party of supporters and other Rugby 'men is being formed; the. •convener of the Canterbury: selection panel (Dr J. D. Stewart) and a former No. 1 referee in Canterbury, Mr L. Kirk, will be in the group. Mr K. Jane will be in his familiar role as coach, and Mr J. Mallard will be the team manager. The over-all manager of the party will be Mr J. Storey, president of the club and of the Canterbury Rugby Union.