RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 92, 28 March 1922, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

FRENCH TOUR CANCELLED. NEW ZEALAND BLAMED. London, March 25. The French Rugby tour of Australasia has been cancelled. There is much disappointment in Rugby circles in Paris at the concellation which is due to New Zealand insisting on a greater number of matches than the French are able to give. Many of the team are in the army and would be obliged to return by the middle of September.—(Reuter.) REPORT CONFIRMED. Wellington, March 27. Confirmation of the report that the tour of the French team is abandoned has been received by the New Zealand Rugby Union. Mr G. W. Slade (chairman) stated to-day that the excuse given by the French Federation was that the players wanted to be back in time for their championships. A meeting of the New Zealand Union will probably be held to consider the latest developments. SAILING DATES UNSUITABLE. New* Plymouth, March 27. Referring to the cable announcing the cancellation of the French tour, Mr McLeod, president of the N.Z.R.U. states that the difficulty arises through the time allotted, the team being limited by the amount of leave they can get from the army. It was apparently necessary that their departure from New Zealand woul have to be made by the middle of August, but the sailing dates in that month were unsuitable, the nearest departure of a steamer being about three weeks too early. Consequently the number of matches would have to be cut down, which would reduce the receipts of the tour, which would cost a big amount, and it would be ridiculous to under take it. It was regrettable the visit could not take place. ANOTHER EFFORT URGED.* — / Dunedin, March 27. At a meeting of the Otago Rugby Union to-night the following motion was unanimously carried: “This meeting, being of opiniop that it will be a great disappointment to the public of this Dominion if the visit of the French team does not eventuate, the management committee of the New Zealand Union be urged to spare no effort to ensure the visit of the team to New Zealand during the coming season. The Otago Union suggests that a minimum of ten matches be played if necessary.” DAVIS CUP. AUSTRALIA AND BELGIUM. Sydney, March 27. The sub-committee of the Tennis Association cabled Belgium: It proposes to play the first rounds of the Davis Cup at New York on 26th July, and is waiting approval. Belgium previously cabled inviting an Australasian team to compete n the world’s hard court championship at Brussels.—(A. and N.ZJ