CONTROL OF RUGBY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20113, 26 November 1928, Page 6

CONTROL OF RUGBY.

POSITION IN BRITAIN.

DOMINION REPRESENTATION*

SCOTS UNION ADAMANT.

REVOLUTIONARY IDEAS FEARED,;

[FnOM OUR ATHLETIC CO MIES PON DENT.] LONDON, Oct. 10.

It would seem that the Rugby Unions of New South Wales, South Africa and • Now Zealand are now in deadly earnest in their desire to sit in conference with the four Home Unions on matters relating to Imperial Rugby. South Africa hag selected its representative in Mr. Paul Roos, the 1906 Springbok skipper, who is incidentally the very best man the Union of South Africa could have picked. No doubt in Australia and New Zealand, and especially in the land of the silver fern you are wondering why the International' Board is somewhat wary in taking the" overseas unions to its bosom.

New Zealand, through Mr. Hornig, seems to think the Rugby Union, which is England, is asleep, and is not interested in the welfare of either the Springboks, the All Blacks, or the Waratahs. Mr. Hornig has said that England's hands must be forced. But where Mr. Ilornig has made the mistake is in asking the Rugby Union to perform miracles. The' country standing between the oversea unions having equal representation on the Imperial Board is Scotland, and those who have had any experience in dealing with the Scottish Rugby Union will fully realise the difficulty. In keeping with the traditions of their race the members of the Scottish Union are very stubborn people, and, having once .made up their minds on a certain point, they are fearfully difficult to convert. Like Granite. It is to be said the English and Welsh Unions are prepared to give the oversea unions every facility to play their part in Imperial Rugby. Of this is no doubt, and for some years now the English Union has been trying to convert Scotland to the same way of thinking, but the Scots absolutely refuse to give way. They are adamant—as steadfast in their convictions as Aberdeen granite. And for New Zealand to upbraid the English Rugby Union is a grievous mistake, which clearly denotes that even New Zealand's most studious Rugby legislators are out of touch with Rugby in the Homo country. \

England is New Zealand's best friend,] likewise Australia's, and I am certain that' if England, which has the backing of Wales, was in a position to give the oversea unions everything they asked for in the way of Imperial representation it would be forthcoming. But there are diehards on the International Board. The fly in the ointment to", the aims and aspirations of the oversea unions is Scotland, which has also the moral support of Ireland.

It has been pointed out to Scotland that no matter how one may juggle with figures it would be impossible for the three oversea unions to introduce revolutionary measures, for the simple reason the Home unions would outvote them. It has also been pointed out that there is nothing revolutionary in South African Rugby ideals, and that if New Zealand, which it must be confessed is likely to devise fresh measures to "brighten up the game, etc," had to try to introduce these ideas, South Africa would stand aloof. But this is no argument to the Scots. They won't stand taking any risk whatever. Further Stubbornness. 1 will give you an illustration of what the English Union, which has been accused of being asleep, has to contend with in its dealing with the Scottish Union, and then you will realise how difficult it is to get Scotland to come into line on this big question of Imperial representation. Prior to the playing of the Calcutta match at Twickenham last season the English Rugby Union, which, like Wales, numbers its players on the field, suggested that Scotland should do likewise. But the Scots absolutely refused to countenance the idea. The English body decided to try persuasive powers, but it might as well have tried to dam the walers of (he Victoria Falls. The Scots had made up their minds. A prominent English leader, in a discussion with one of the Scottish legislat»rs, sought a heart to heart talk, during which the Scot said: "You are quite right; the players should be numbered, but we will never do it."

What happens ? When England meets Scotland we have the English players numbered and the Scots without numbers. And Ireland, which follows Scotland liko a pet lamb, has also tabooed numbering its players. Now, if the Scots will resolutely differ with England and Wales on such a small question, what, sort of persuasive powers do you expect England to have in trying to get Scotland to give way in this question of Imperial representation? What Scotland Fears. Scotland, of course, fears that with tho •; overseas unions taking their part in 1 Rugby affairs there will bo divers attempts made to introduce fresh rules to "brighten" up the game. Ido not think there is any great reason for this ( fear, neither do the unions of England J and Wales, but you cannot convert Scotland to these views. Two and two the world over may make four, but if Scotland says this is not so then that is the end to the question. In a nutshell Scotland, on this question of Imperial representation, is stupidly stubborn, but this admitted fact is not getting us any further. Scotland seems to think that if you ad- * mil South Africa, New Zealand, and New • South Wales, it w'll mean that France will also want a seat on tho board. Personally I do not think the oversea unions will regard this as a snag in their aims, ■ but Scotland's case is that as Franco is a first-class Rugby playing country it would not be fair to exclude her. If tho oversea unions had to give I heir oath ■■ that their aim for Imperial representation was to help Rugby in the Empire and not in France, and consequently their onn desire was to keep the control of Rugby entirely in the hands of Britishers, this, I r( am afraid, would carry no weight witb Scotland. , Public opinion in Britain is that the oversea unions should have full representation in the control of Imperial - Rugby, hut our friends oversea have to * convert Scotland to these views. You*' - task is not to put forward your views to ■» England and Wales, but to get in touch with Scotland. And if you can convert Scotland theu you will be wouderful diplomats.