SOUTH AFRICAN TOUR

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 16, 19 July 1939, Page 8

SOUTH AFRICAN TOUR

RUGBY ITINERARY

TIME TO ACCLIMATISE

(By allograph—Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, July 18.

"This i? a very satisfactory and, I think, a very courteous reply. I say this because there has been a certain ;amount of criticism of this union's action in bringing the matter before the New Zealand Union," commented the president of the Canterbury Rugby Union. Mr. J..K. Moloney. this evening, when a letter was received advising that the New Zealand Union had made representations to the South, African Rugby Board for amendment of the proposed itinerary of the New Zealand team in South Africa next year.

The Canterbury Union, at a recent meeting, drew attention to the suggested" itinerary of the All Blacks' tour, in which the second match is at Kimberley. Members of the 1928 New Zealand team had pointed to factors which would make this a very hard match—high altitude, hard, gritty ground, and strong opposition—all making likely a bad crop of injuries in a team which would have no opportunity of getting acclimatised. The secretary of the New Zealand Union replied as follows:— "I have to thank you for your letter of June 28 and your suggestion regarding the early games to be played on the South African tour. When the council made a submission to the South African Rugby Football Board for an [itinerary similar to that arranged for the Biitisb team it overlooked the fact that the second game during the tour had been played at Kimberley. We have now rectified this matter and have requested the South African Rugby Board to arrange an itinerary which will allow for the first few games j being played in towns on or near the | seaboard." "The Wellington correspondent of a North Island journal suggested that Ithis union was taking a carping and (critical attitude," said Mr Moloney. I "and for that, reason 1 welcome this i letter. The New Zealand Union has [been generous and admitted that it ! has made a mistake. I think that, in [taking up this matter, this union did 'something worth while for New Zealand football." Mr Moloney added that there was no doubt that the team should be given time in which to acclimatise before having to play on hard grounds at ! high altitudes. I Mr W C Dalley, a member of the 1928 New Zealand team in South Africa, also expressed gratification that I the amendment was being sought.