RUGBY FOOBALL Standard Strong in Britain

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 July 1946, Page 8

RUGBY FOOBALL Standard Strong in Britain

Enthusiasm Among Clubs

Rugby in the British Isles is. much stronger than most New Zealanders writes Major V. C. Butler, selector and assistant manager of the Kiwi team. I had thought that totalitarian war for so long would have impoverished ' sport and ‘ economy equally. Not so. ’ Certainly Rugby is disorganised, but not dismayed; by any means.’ We know, that sport has always been part of an Englishman’s being. It is now more than ever.' Just as Drake finished his bowls and beat the Spaniards, "so this generation played its Rugby, Sbccer, and cricket, and beat the Germans.

It is wrong, too, to think that cricket dominates the British sporting world. It may be so during the summer, but during the winter months Rugby flourishes just as wholeheartedly and wholesomely. There is the same deep - rooted flove of “Rugger" as there- is of cricket. In fact, in Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, I should say that “Rugger” has more loyal adherents than its summer brother. One is inclined to forget that the population of the British Isles is so extensive that, although the. majority play Soccer during the winter, the minority who love their “Rugger”—really love it —are numerically greater than the whole population of New Zealand.

Social Activities.

I was amazed at the enthusiasm of these Rugby players and supporters. Throughout the ‘United Kingdom, clubs do not exist just to organise teams for Saturday play; they fulfil also a very useful and definite social purpose. They own their own grounds, have their own pavilions inmg with photos elating back many generations, and organise their own skittles, , darts, cards, evenings, dances, and other forms of social life. Mothers, wives, and sweethearts are closely associated with club activities. Moreover, old players continue membership, and give loyal support.

Whereas in New Zealand most footballers lay aside their boots and lift up the baby at about the age-of 25, in the United Kingdom the family man continues his “Rugger” until the mid-thirties, and still enjoys it immensely. Jack Hastie, an old Scottish international who hooked very successfully against the Kiwis on several occasions, is 42. You can well imagine old boys such as he get very crafty, and it was a good thing for our lads to pit their youthful energy against, his astuteness. The War Probably to Blame.

11, was very 7 noticeable that teams matched against us contained a bigger percentage of older players than one would have expected. Probably the war was to blame for this, for two reasons. First, during war years when the “Rugger” playing population was scattered, selectors had little opportunity to see or appraise the talent, and consequently in most cases they played safe, and selected the older players with match experience, taking a risk on their retention of pre-war form. Secondly, many of the British Isles younger Rugby enthusiasts are still being mobilised for service of an occupational nature on the Continent and in the Middle East. They ’have not yet had the opportunity to play much club Rugby or catch the selector’s eye. They will not be lost to the game, however, but will make their mark later, none the worse for a term of service with the forces. Older Players Preferred.

It is interesting to note that the two service teams we played in Germany disclosed little new talent. But here again the selection may have been at fault, in that older players with reputations were given preference. I will say that in the selection of the Kiwis a very definite attempt was made to give youth a chance, taking into account the fact that the war had deprived many players of opportunity to build up reputations. If Scotland’s success against us is any 'guide, .selection in the British Isles could have taken more risks on youth, as the majority of the Scottish team were as youthful and unknown as our own men.

It is a grand thing that our tour should have been so timed as to give incentive and stimulus so helpful in revitalising club activity. This tour of ours has been invaluable in placing British Rugby on a higher level. There has been a sifting of talent. Also selectors have had good opportunity to look for new material.

LOWER PRICES ACCEPTED BY BRITAIN [N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent.] (Rec. 10.45 a.m.) LONDON, July 29. Reports from Denmark quoted in Britain state that the Danes agreed to accept lower prices from Britain for butter, eggs, and bacon than they could have obtained elsewhere on the Continent, chiefly because the new contract with Britain is for a long term, and because- they wished to preserve British goodwill. The Danish Government was so unwilling to take full responsibility for accepting the British offer that it summoned the full Parliament to ratify the decisions. Danish farmers- contend -now that the prices will not cover- the costs of farm production, and that it will be necessary for the Government to.subsidise agricultural exports. Earlier this month Denmark agreed to sell 15,000 tons of butter to Russia at 2/2 per lb.