INTERNATIONAL RUGBY TOURS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 21 September 1936, Page 4

INTERNATIONAL RUGBY TOURS

REMARKS BY NEW ZEALAND UNION MEMBER

PREPARATIONS FOR SPRINGBOKS’

VISIT

(By Telegraph—Press Association)

CHRISTCHURCH, This Day.

Speaking as a member of the New Zealand Rugby Union, Mr F. Glasgow, of Wellington, a former All Black, advised the Canterbury Rugby Union on Saturday evening to prepare for crowds of 50,000 and upwards when the Springboks played in Christchurch next year. Mr Glasgow remarked that a great deal of work and worry was involved in arranging a visit by an overseas team. Finance always had to be seriously considered. “It is all very fine to Say that when the British team came through in 1930, the New Zealand Union made so much,” said Mr Glasgow, “but in,these cases we have to be prepared for an outlay of about £30,000. Supposing one of these tours fell flat through the players not proving up to standard. We would lose on the whole thing and go down £ 10,000 or so. That would be a serious thing for Rugby in this country. It is therefore necessary that visiting teams should prove their ability on the field. The South Africans, I understand, are bringing 32 players with a manager and assistant manager. The original proposal was that they should bring 29 players, but they are quite willing to pay the expenses of the extra men. It is a wise precaution, and I think you will agree, a sporting attitude.”