FOOTBALL.

Grey River Argus, 29 March 1922, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

FRENCH RUGBY TEAM’S TROUBLE (Recd. March 28, at 7.5 p.m.) PARIS, March 27. The Australian Press Association learns authoritatively that the reason for the cancellation of the French Rugby tour is solely that the absence of the best players would interfere with the success of the French chain pionships, which begin in October, and continue till May. It was thought that their return in September would be possible, but the French Rugby Federation has just learnt from the New Zealand Rugby Union that the earliest date for the return -was the 15th of October. The Federation therefore decided against the tour. Some of the best judges have been against the tour, on the ground that the French footballers, though they have made remarkable progress since the war, have not yet reached a sufficiently high standard to meet the Australians and New Zea.landers, and that they must have suf-u fered a. crushing defeat. Others considered that a stern series of matches, which the tour would certainly have provided, would have been the finest, if a severe, lesson for the French Rugby players. These considerations, however, did not enter into the Federation ’s decision. CANTERBURY RUGBY UNION. CHRISTCHURCH, March 28. At a meeting of the Canterbury Rugby Union it was resolved that on the All New Zealand Selection Committees, both islands should have equal representation. It was also resolved that Canterbury union is of opinion that the New Zealand union should use its best endeaours to induce the French team 1o isit the Dominion this season, even if fewer number of matches were playfl. The annual report of the Wellington ugby Union states that £1932 was reeived in gate money in connection ith local matches such as New South ales v. Wellington £725, South Afcans v. Wellington £453, and South fricans v. New Zealand 555, made the tai receipts £6544. Inprovcments to ill in hand will cost a further £2639. DELEGATION FROM AUSTRALIA SYDNEY, March 28. The Rugby League has appointed a delegation to visit New Zealand with a view to inquiring into the whole question of New Zealand football and making final arrangements for the visit of a Maori team to New South Wales during the coming season.