FOOTBALL TOURS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22982, 9 March 1938, Page 16

FOOTBALL TOURS

AUSTRALIAN RUGBY INVITATION TO BRITAIN ALL BLACK VISIT AWAITED [FROM OUR OWN CORRKSroXfVfINT] SYDNEY, March * The New South Wales Bugby Union lias received a letter from the International Bugby Football Board, London, confirming the invitation for an Australian team to play Britain in 1939-40, and sending a tentative list of match dates. The international games will be: —November 2 0, 1939, v. Scotland; December 9, v. Ireland; December 2-3, v. Wales; January 8, 1940, v. England. A sinking fund with the object of avoiding the expenses of sending the Australian team on tour falling as a heavy item in one year, has been established. New South Wales has contributed £731, Queensland £3OO, and Victoria £7~>. The management committee reported to the I? üby- Union Council that a New Zealand team will definitely tour Australia this year. The committee is considering the itinerary. It is anticipated that the New Zcalanders will begin their programme on the first or second Saturday in July. The season's fixture list. —a particularly heavy one —includes three matches against New Zealand, and matches against Queensland and Victoria. Tho public holidays on Anzac Day and King's Birthday, June 13, have been included in the programme. The metropolitan grade competition will occupj 21 playing days, beginning on Easter Monday, April 18, and ending on September 24, a week later than usual. • It had been decided some time ago not to invite Queensland to visit Sydney, but the northern State so strongly urged the trip that the committee reviewed the matter. It recommended that the union should be prepared to meet Queensland's wishes, particularly in view of the selection of an Australian team to play New Zealand and tour England next year. The recommendation was adopted. The dates for the inter-State fixtures are:—June 11, New South Wales v. Victoria; June 13, New South Wales r. Victoria and New South Wales v. Queensland; June IS, New South Wales v. Queensland. A New South Wales team will visit Brisbane and play against Queensland on April 30 and May 2.