CLASH INEVITABLE

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 114, 17 May 1938, Page 10

CLASH INEVITABLE

JNION AND LEAGUE RUGBY ALL BLACKS IN AUSTRALIA A clash of lixtures in Australia between Union and League is inevitable, writes Tom Pauling in the Dunedin Star. The New Zealand League team is due to arrive in Sydney on June 4, and play their last match on July 16, upon which date the All Blacks are due to play their first game. The story of clashes is not new to tollowers of Rugby. It will be recalled that the classical exhibition last season, whilst the Springbok tour was being arranged, suggests no easy solution.

The basis of the trouble lies in the tact of the Sydney Cricket Ground being the ‘‘sancta sanctorum” of international sport where each sporting body desires to stage its “big games.” Originally, the Cricket Ground was dedicated for amateur sport, and it was for the use*of all recognised associations. The major following of cricket and football soon led to partial dominance in use. With the formation of the Cricket Ground Trust, and subsequent issue of members’ tickets, a great number of "dead-heads” appeared at football matches. In addition, each member received two ladies’ tickets, which were transferable. The Union code could not maintain the expense attached to the Cricket Ground, and played nearly all the big games on the Show Ground. An attempt to re-establish the game on the Cricket Ground ended in 1933, following which the League code obtained a lease for 10 years. Therein lay the difficulty. The League claims sole right to decide their use of the ground, even though in the contract provision is made for the allocation of dates to other bodies for major fixtures.