RUGBY IN AMERICA

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18528, 15 October 1934, Page 11

RUGBY IN AMERICA

INCREASING POPULARITY EXCHANGE OF VISITS (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Mr Paul Ford arrived from the U.S.A. by the Makurn. Ho is the official representative of the San Francisco Olympic Club, and hopes to be able to arrange for an interchange of visits by New Zealand, Australian, and American Rugby teams. He says the Rugby game is reviving in California, and lie believes that it lias come to stay. “Of course,” lie said, “we do not feel that we are anywhere near capable of playing the Rugby game as New Zealand and Australian teams play it, but we believe that it has come to stay in the United States, and these visits would help us tremendously from the amateur viewpoint. ’’ ire said that J. Patriek, a member of the American Rugby team which competed at the 1920 and 1984 Olympic games, was coaching the Olympic Club in San Francisco. He doubted if Rugby would displace the American football game, bill il was noteworthy that rhe American game was being opened up more and more on Rugby lines. Rugby was played in several parts of the States, but the Lest players came frt»p the Pacific coast. Any New Zealand or Australian team that visited California would be assured of a warm welcome.

Mr Ford will spend about a week in N.ew Zealand before going on to Australia.