RUGBY BOARD

Grey River Argus, 23 March 1928, Page 5

RUGBY BOARD

DECLINES INVITATION To Tour New Zealand ‘ ‘ULTRA-CONSERVATIVE VIEWS” (Received March 22 at 9 p.m.) I LONDON, March 21. I It is stated that the International ' I'Ugby Board has declined New Zeaand’s invitation, after a earcful estimte of th e playing strength in 1930, □Deluding that though there "was no hortage of moneyed p anxious o make the trip, there were insuffiient moneyed players with football xperience anj ability capable of uplolding 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 sincere, though there will always be a good deal of .truth in the statement. It will b e difficult to find a team unless some members of the International Board moderate their utlraconservative views. Scotland’s Opposition TO DOMINION TuUKS. LONDON, Ma-ch 21. “Insulting,” is the word used by “Sporting Life’’ to describe the international Rugby Beard’s decision j not to send a team to New Zealand in iespouse to the Dominion’s invitation, which refusal, it says, is an unquestionably real menace to thc An-glo-Dominions Rugby unity. Prominence is given to-day to a cabled statement by S F. Wilson, the New Zealand delegate to the International Confer-’ once in 1925, that no British team will I ever visit New Zealand as long as the men at present in charge of affairs in Scotland and Ireland have a say in the mdtter, significantly adding: It will not effect the visits of their team tc England.

“Sporting Life’s” expert (C. AN • Packford) in an article says: ‘‘The time has undoubtedly arrived when drastic action mjust be adopted, if Britain is to retain the Dominions 0 s Rugby 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 with the council of Home Unions. England is the best friend the Dominions possess. Wales appears neutral. Scotland is violently antagonistic tfc overseas brothers. Ireland gives the impression of supporting Scotland in everything, and the attitude of Scot and towards New Zealand is anything but pleasurable.” “Surely,” adds Mr Pi&kford, “we are not going to lose the friendship of three centres of the Empire, which have given some of the most magnificent players and sportsmen thc game ever produced.” It is understood that the Interna tional Rugby Board’s majority deci-

sion not to send a team to New Zealand in 1930 is unlikely to prevent a team going. If the English I nion is unable meanwhile to persuade the other three unions to co-operate, it is likely to send a purely English team. “We do not know what underies

the Scottish opposition,” said one authority. “It cannot definitely be said whether they arc trying to abolish International tours, but they are certainly not sympathetic towardsthem. Irish members support them. The Board is divided. One section believes that tours should b e encouraged in thc interests of Empire sentiment, as wlell as sport, while the other stubbornly opposes them” WARATAHS BETURN. SUVA, March 21 The Aorangi has arrived from Vancouver. The vessel sails at noon for Auckland, wfrth the 7 Waratahs, who were entertained by the local footballers at a civic reception at the Town Hall. WELLINGTON UNION’S PBOrIT. WELLINGTON, March 21. As the result of fine week-ends and large attendances at Club matches foi the last two winters, the local Rugby Union finds itself in a strong financial position. Last season it handled over £12,0010 and the profit was £2,356, the largest ever recorded. The fund for rebuilding the grandstand ffias now reached £6OOO.