INTERNATIONAL RUGBY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18325, 15 February 1923, Page 9

INTERNATIONAL RUGBY

METHODS OF SELECTION. ' A PERPETUAL PROBLEM. ) THE POSITION OF AIKEN. [from our OWN CORRESPONDENT.] LONDON, Jan. 4. . The selection of International Rugby players in Great Britain seems to be a matter for annual complaint, and this year G. G. Aitken; together with A. C. Wallaco, th© Australian Rugby blue, have managed to make themselves subjects for discussion. Both Aitken and Wallace joined the Blackheath Club some lime ago, and here it may be mentioned that prominent English clubs go far afield to find first-class players. Blackheath, of course, is one of the best teams playing 'this year. On December 2, these two Dominion players were in the trial match for England, at Newcastle, and again at Plymouth, on December 16, but they have failed to be selected for the final trial al Twickenham next Saturday. It has been disclosed that the Scottish Union then asked permission for them to play for the London Scottish in a match against Old Merchant Taylors, -with a view to their being seen by tho Selection Commit'ceo which chooses the Scottish Territorial team. The London Scottish, it seems, refused to play them unless they resigned from Blackheath, and this they have both done. As the London Scottish is a team which has not distinguished itself in any way, it is evident that Aitken and Wallace have acted entirely with the view of getting somft games in International Rugby. The matter, however, has given certain sporting writers the text for their annual complaints. ? Definite Ruling Needed " That it should be possible for a player to captain the All-Blaoks ono year, and play for Scotland, or any other country for that matter, the following year," says An International," in the Evening News, " shows that it is high time wit. International Board laid down some definite ruling about the qualification of players who represent the difieient countries. Every year since the war, this problem has arisen; and, in spite of protests, has been persistently ienoTed by the Rugby authorities. The matter does nod merely end with the Dominion player.?, but concerns the Home Countries as well. The framing of rules to suit everybody will be an exceedingly difficult matter, but it is necessary that there be some rules where now there are none, for the guidance of those who select the different international teams. " The. best solution ■of the problem would appear to be that a player should only he allowed to represent a country if he has either a birth qua'ification, or has resided in the country for which he has been selected to play, for, say, five years. And, of courae, a person who has played for one Dominion or country should never be allowed to play for another. Dominions' Flayers.

" The residential qualification would prevent University players from the Do minions, who are over here merely to study for two or three" years, from obtaining Inflesnafcional "caps unless they had birth qualifications. At the same time, it would not prevent a player like S. W. Harris, who was born in the Dominions, but received his education and learned his football in one of the Home countries, from obtaining a cap.! Again, it is only fair that a person who comes over here and settles down in the country I should be allowed to play for the country of his adoption after five years' residence and footb.-dl in'that, country. " Of course, cl rcumstances would arise where a player would be qualified for one country by birth and for another by residence. Cases such as "these would be rare, however, and it would nearly always be found that the player in question had a distinct preference one way or the other. The main point., however, is that matters have been brought to such a climax by this po'icy of the Scottish selectors that it is imperative that there oe without fur ther de T ay some ruling which does away with the present farce of anybody being able to play for any country.''