RUGBY TOURS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 149, 23 March 1928, Page 3

RUGBY TOURS

NEW ZEALAND INVITATION DECLINED BY INTERNATIONAL BOARD INSUFFICIENT CAPABLE MONEYED PLAYERS BY Telegraph.—Pbess association Copyright. (Rec. March 22, 7.30 p-ir.) London, March 21. It is stated that the International Rugby Board has declined the New Zealand invitation, after a careful estimate of the playing strength in 1930, concluding that though there is no shortage of moneyed players anxious to make the trip, there are insufficient moneyed players with football experience and ability capable of upholding British Rugby prestige. On the contrary, the “Evening Standard” says: “It is all very unfortunate and it looks like a deliberate rebuff to the excellent sportsmen in the Dominions. The excuse does not appear to be sincere, though there will always be a good deal of truth in the statement that it will be difficult to find a team unless some members of the International Board moderate their ultra-conservative views.” SHARP CRITICISM OF DECISION “REAL MENACE OF RUGBY SPLIT” ATTITUDE OF SCOTLAND AND IRELAND London, March 21“lusulting” is the word used by “Sporting Life” to describe the International Rugby Board’s decision not to send a team to New Zealand in response to the Dominion’s invitation., Unquestionably now there is a reah menace of a Rugby split between Britain and the Dominions. Prominence is given to-day to a, cabled statement from Mr. S. F. son, the New Zealand delegate to the. International Conference m 1925, that; no British team will ever visit New Zealand so 1 long as the men at presentin charge of affairs remain. Scotland and Ireland have a say in the matter But significantly add that it would notj affect future visits of their team to England. Drastic Action Necessary. “Sporting Life’s” expert, Mr. L. W, Packford, in an article, says: lhe time has undoubtedly arrived when, drastic action must be adopted if Britain is to retain the Dominions as Rugbyj friends. The constitution of the board is all wrong. Australia, New Zealand* and South Africa merely occupy the position of outcasts, incapable of discussing an important point in common council with the Home unions. "England is the best friend the minions possess; Wales appears neui tral; Scotland is violently antagonistic to her overseas brothers; and Ireland gives the impression of supporting < Scotland in everything, and the atti-, tude of Scotland towards New Zealand, is anything but pleasant. “Surely,” adds Mr. Packford “we. arc not going to lose the friendship ° three centres of Empire which have, given us some of the most magnificent players and sportsmen the game has ever produced.” Team May Visit New Zealand. It is understood that the International Rugby Board’s majority decision not to send a team to New Zealand in 1930 is unlikelv to prevent a team going. If the English Union is unable in the meanwhile to persuade the three unions to co-operate, it is likely to send a purely English team. “We do not know what underlies the Scottish opposition,” said an authority. “It cannot definitely be said whellier thev are trying to abolish international tours, but they are certainly unsympathetic to them. The Irish members support them, and thus the board is divided. One section believes that tours should be encouraged in the interests of Empire sentiment as well as sport; the other stubbornly opposes. — Sydney “Sun” Cable.