ALL-BLACK TOUR

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11702, 14 December 1923, Page 5

ALL-BLACK TOUR

FURTHER ARRANGEMENTS THIRTY MATCHES TO BE PLAYED IN ALL. AUSTRALIAN VISIT. Further details of the English tour of the All Black Rugby football team of 1924 wqre before the New Zealand Rugby Union last evening. The management committee went into committee on the subject, and at the close of its discussion a statement was made for the benefit of the Press. ITINERARY SUGGESTED. A letter was received from the English Rugby Union and a report from tho English sub-committee appointed to deal with the New Zealand visit. Tire latter was to the effect that 30 matches should be played in all. These to include the tost match, five matches in Wales, two in Ireland, 17 against counties, one against services, two against ’Varsities, and two in France. The first match to ho played in England to be on September 13th, and’ the last/ on January 3rd, 1925. The team to consist of 29 players and a manager, and to be joined in England by an appointee of the English Rugby Union to attend to business matters. The team will thus be in the United Kingdom 112 days, or sixteen weeks. NO ALLOWANCES. The players to go as the guests of the English Rugby Union, and therefore no daily allowances to be permitted. The English Rugby Union confirmed its action in -regrettin'g it® inability to see its way to sanction, or pay daily allowances, but falling into line with the New Zealand Union’s wishes by reducing tho total number of matches to 3ii, and meeting the Dominion body’s proposals regarding a week’s interval before test matches, though this was difficult owing to the trouble in fitting in tb" usual trial matches before choosing an international side. LIGHT FOR UNIONS. A letter had been received from the Otalgo R ugby Union suggesting that the parent body further urge the English Union to sanction the allowance of out-of-pocket expenses, and supported by the Auckland Rugby Union. The chairman Messrs Wylie, Little, and Fletcher were appointed to prepare a statement of ' negotiations concerning the arrangements for the tour.. This statement will be sent to all unions. VISIT TO SYDNEY. It was resolved, further, to advise the New South Wales Rugby Union that the All Black team would play m Sydney on July 12th, 16th, and 19th of next year, on its way homo. Thin. in response to an appeal by the New South Wales Union which considered the visit “absolutely essential.”