RUGBY FEARS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22390, 9 April 1936, Page 12

RUGBY FEARS

YOUNG FOOTBALLERS RIVAL CODE'S "PROMISES" HEADMASTER'S ALLEGATION JERSEYS, BOOTS ' AND BEER [from our own correspondent] WHANGAREI, Wednesday Inroads by the League code into the ranks of Rugby football players were the subject of concern expressed at the annual meeting of the Whangarei" Rugby Union last night by Mr. A. R. Ryder, principal of the Whangarei High School. "I am pleased to see," ho said, "that the union this year is introducing a fourth grade competition. I hope the union will have tho support of gentlemen who will encourage this grade and prevent inroads by the League code. "Boys are being induced to turn over to League by the donation of jerseys and promises of trips to Auckland," Mr. Ryder added. "As far as the High School is concerned, we will not tolerate any inroads being made into the Rugby game. I have recently read in a New Zealand newspaper the alleged statement by George Nepia, that the defeat of the All Blacks by England has doomed Rugby football in New Zealand. "Wo all admire Nepia as a footballer, but I cannot admire him as a football critic. Such statements being published as that attributed to Nepia are foolish, as defeats such as England inflicted upon tho All Blacks are not going to do Now Zealand any harm. Nepia has turned over to League and it suits him to make such a statement.

"I think any unfair inroads in the Rugby game in this union, by the League code, should be combated, but not, of course, by the bribing of players with jerseys, boots, stockings and beer." The president, Mr. L. Garry, said the union was taking more interest in the younger players, by the establishment of a fourth grade competition. He was confident the Rugby game could weather any opposition from another code. Other speakers spoke in similar vein and the discussion was closed.