RUGBY VISIT TO THE SOUTH ISLAND

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22696, 22 July 1948, Page 4

RUGBY VISIT TO THE SOUTH ISLAND

TOMORROW the Gisborne public will he asked to subscribe to . 1 lie fund which it is necessary to accumulate in order to send the poverty Bay Rugby team away on its throe-fixture tour of the South Island. Although the mainspring of the southern “invasion” will he the quest for the Ranfurlv Shield, it is upon the broader issues of the venture that the minds of the people here should he concentrated. Even without the shield objective, the tour should stimulate great interest both in this district and in the places that arc visited Before the war communications with Gisborne wore not so easv that team travel could be undertaken without serious consideration of the problems involved. Now we have a much better opportunity not only to send our young men away on various sporting missions but also to welcome players from other provinces to our corner of 1 he Dominion. _ One of the most important aspects of the forthcoming Rugby tour—and it should not he forgotten by those who are approached by the street collectors tomorrow—is that the onus will be placed on three strong sides to pay return visits in the near future. Naturally it is hoped that the Ranfurly Shield can be brought back, but even if victory in that direction proves elusive, Gisborne Rugby will he given a ’big fillip by the establishment of a more comprehensive system of exchange visits than has ever existed in the past. Supporters and well-wishers who have shown a tendency to regard the shield challenge as the beginning and the end of the whole project should not he disheartened by last Saturday s defeat at the hands of the’Bay of Plenty. Many a good side has been beaten at some period of an otherwise successful season- Indeed, Saturday’s disappointment could have precisely the salutary effect that is needed to recapture the high pitch of efficiency winch brought as its reward last year’s sequence of fine victories. The louring combination, in which many promising young players who shoukfbc available several years hence will be included, is worthy of generous support from the patrons whom our footballers entertain during the winter months.