League won’t concede

Press, 28 April 1981, Page 6

League won’t concede

The Canterbury Rugbv League is not prepared to concede that the South Island should have to field a weakened team against France at the Show Grounds in June. Advice was received at last night s board of control meeting that France had refused a request from the New" Zealand Rugby League to change the match froth Wednesday-. June 3. to the previous evening. The New Zealand team is to assemble in Auckland on the morning of June 3. French officials declined to move the game forward 24 hours, contending that it would be too close to its arrival in New Zealand' on Saturday, May 30.

5 Canterbury .will ask the , to make a more forceful approach j to France, or if the June 3 cate has t to be retained, that the Kiwis not be required to be in Auckland until t the next morning. ~/ ft was pointed out by Mr Harry J/Walker, a board member and New .' Zealand selector, that New Zealand i , teams in France had .become ac--5 customgd to travelling and playing j when told. j -It is not fair for our spectators not to see the best South Island , side m action. France is likely to / use its top team to open the tour in , Christchurch and should welcoim ' an extra dav to: prepare fop. tin first test,’’ Mr Walker said.