BROADCASTING OF RUGBY MATCHES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21300, 2 April 1931, Page 7

BROADCASTING OF RUGBY MATCHES

TO THE EDITOE. Sir, —l read in the Daily Times _ the report of the meeting of the committee of the Rugby Union and the objections held by the country delegates _to the broadcasting of Rugby matches in Dunedin. While sympathising with the country delegates concerning the loss of revenue through broadcasting, I ask them what they give the country spectators to warrant their travelling miles to see a game of Rugby football. It is generally a ease of scrimmaging, and there is very little, if any, manoeuvring for position amongst the backs. If the ball does come out of the scrum it is generally hung on to by some person who considers that he should go alone, and there is not that spirit of playing together as a team. Then, again, there is the jealousy of one village against another evidenced in the '' win at any cost ” and “ play the man ” business. Moreover, teams will turn up short-handed, and if a team happens to lose many matches it will withdraw <?r default. I have followed the matches in this district for a number of years, and do not mind paying to see an attempt made to play the game as it should be played and not as it has been played for the past seasons.’ Broadcasting of town matches is a boon to those who live in the back blocks, where they have little chance of seeing Rugby football games, and it does make the game popular. 1 am sure anyone who is within reach of a good Rugby match would willingly go to see it in preference to listening in, but for the unfortunate, such as hospital cases and people away in back blocks, broadcasting is the only means of getting a Rugby thrill. The cessation of the broadcasting of matches will, I fear, not profit the coffers of the sub-union in this district until the clubs give us Rugby football played in the correct way and with a good spirit and until they can assure the public of a full muster of players and of each team sticking to its respective engagements, whether it wins or loses throughout the season.—l am, etc., Old Ruobyite. Miller’s Flat, March 31.