N.Z.R.F.U.

Southland Times, Issue 20171, 6 May 1927, Page 8

N.Z.R.F.U.

ANNUAL MEETING SOUTH AFRICAN TOUR DISCUSSED TRIAL MATCHES ARRANGED. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, May 5. Delegates at the New Zealand Rugby Union's annual meeting discussed the matter of trial matches this season for the South African tour, opinion differing as to whether the matches should be played late this season or early next season. It was stated that the team would have to leave New Zealand for South Africa in June, and it was advisable to play the trial matches this season. It was decided to commence these matches on September 21 and conclude them on October 4. Difference of opinion also arose on the number of matches to be played in South Africa, and 21 were arranged for. The president said there were too many and advised 14 or 15. A motion was proposed that not more than 16 be played, but this was afterwards withdrawn and it was ultimately decided to leave the matter to the discretion of the Management Committee as to the number of matches. The necessity for uniformity of rules was stressed, it being observed that the Maoris played under three different sets of rules when on tour, and also the need for New Zealand representation on the International Rugby Board. It would be a very fine thing if they could have an Imperial set of rules. It was considered a wise thing to have a conference of delegates from South Africa, New South Wales and New Zealand delegates while the New Zealand team was in South Africa next year. Mr J. McLeod (Taranaki), moved: That the New Zealand Rugby Football Union learns with deep regret of the International Board’s decision not to establish an Imperial Board as approved by the 1924 Imperial Rugby Conference. This Union urges on the English Rugby Union to call a conference of delegates of the English, Irish, Welsh and Scottish Unions together with delegates from the New Zealand, New’ South Wales and South African Rugby Unions with a view to establishing an Imperial Rugby Board, the functions of which shall be, inter alia, the control of Rugby football within the Empire. That a copy of this resolution be sent to New South Wales and South Africa asking for their support, and that the English, Irish, Welsh and Scottish Rugby Unions be notified of this resolution. —Carried. The New Zealand Rugby Union decided to-day to play the following trial matches in view’ of the South African tour next year: September 21: North Auckland and Auckland v. Thames Valley, Waikato and Bay of Plenty, at Auckland; Nelson, Marlborough and Golden Bay v. Buller and West Coast, at West port. September 25: Hawke’s Bay, Poverty Bay and East Coast v. Wairarapa and Bay, at N apier. September 28: Wellington andManawanua v. Wanganui, Taranaki and King Country, at Palmerston North. September 28: Canterbury and South Canterbury v. Otago and Southland, at Dunedin. October 1: North Island v. South Island, at Wellington. It was also decided that further trials should be played early next season to finalise the selection of the team as follows: Minor unions of North Island ‘and minor unions of South Island; major unions of North Island and major unions of South Island; North Island and South Island; and Possibles and Probables. YEAR’S WORK REVIEWED. Wellington, May 5. At. the annual meeting of the New’ Zealand Rugby Union, the President, Mr McDevitt, of Waikato, referred to the visits to New South Wales and Victoria and to the tour of the Maori representatives whom he congratulated. The tour to Africa next year and the proposed amendments to the rules would form subjects for discussion. It was regretted that Mr Wray, the New Zealand representative at Home, should have had so little success in his endeavour to establish an Imperial Advisory Board. Our fellow sportsmen in the Old Land required a little enlightenment on the question of representation. An application had come from Samoa for affiliation. There were also applications from certain sub-unions but the speaker deprecated the increasing number as the multiplicity of representative fixtures between unions interfered too much with club football. He suggested that the smaller unions should amalgamate. He hoped every effort would be made to keep the Moascar Cup competition alive. Finances showed a loss of £144 on the year but considering the expenses of the tour the position was most satisfactory. Mr Devitt indicated that the meeting would be asked to invite Great Britain to send out a team in 1929, also that the Maori team be sent on a tour of the minor unions for the purpose of fostering the game which he considered would be of great benefitOFFICERS ELECTED. Wellington, May 5. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Patron: Governor-General (Sir Charles Fergusson) ; President, H. Manoy (Golden Bay, Motueka) ; Vice-President: Presidents of affiliated unions; Hon. Treasurer: Mrs E. Wylie; Management Committee: Messrs E. McKenzie, H. S. Leith, S. S. Dean, W. Hornig, T. A. Fletcher, A. C. Kitto, C. L. Mullaney; Appeal Board: Messrs J. Arneil, P. Mackie, J. L. Conlan (all of Auckland) ; Auditor: O. G. Kember; Representative on English Rugby Union, C. J. Wray. Samoa, North Otago and Ashburton all affiliated, the last two unions as separate ones. KICK INTO TOUCH. MOTION FOR ADOPTION DEFEATED. Wellington, May 5. The question of the advisability of reverting to the kick into touch rule this season was hotly debated at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union to-night. Mr W. J. Hardman, on behalf of the Wellington Union, moved: That in view of a New Zealand side touring South Africa in 1928 all representative and trial matches and of the North and South match be played under the old kick into touch rule. The motion was lost by 46 votes to 22. MOASCAR CUP. ABANDONING THE COMPETITION. TRUSTEES OBJECT TO SCHEME. (Special to the Times.) Wellington, May 5. The recommendation of the New Zealand Rugby Union in the annual report that the Moascar Cup competition should be abandoned has provoked a reply from the trustees of the cup. This was read at the annual meeting of the Union to-day. The trustees expressed regret that the suggestion had been made and suggested that before competition was abandoned the Secondary School Headmasters’ Association should be approached and asked to arrange a conference to bring about some better arrangement which would be satisfactory to both sides. The historical associations of the cup should be considered. When the discussion began Mr Norman McKenzie (Hawke’s Bay) gave his opinion that it was regrettable that there were no challenges last year but this was. due to the

strength of the Te Aute College team. They were certainly very big boys and there had been a disinclination to play them but this year the Te Aute team was a very different proposition and there should be no lack of challenges. Mr J. H. Colquhoun (Manawatu) thought it was much to be regretted that the competition might lapse. Last year the Palmerston North Boys’ High School had had a challenge in for the cup and had played the Wanganui Technical College which also had been challenged and had been defeated by the Wanganui team. The Technical College was to have met Te Aute but there had been some hitch and the Palmerston North, boys had felt that it was little use going on with their challenge. Mr McLeod (New Plymouth) said that undoubtedly there was a prejudice against these matches on the part of the headmasters who had called them gladiatorial contests. He thought that this might be got over by the trustees in conference with the headmasters. There had been a prejudice against the competition since its inception and they should endeavour to find out what it was. This prejudice had been sufficiently strong to make the New Plymouth Boys’ High School refuse a challenge last year. He had seen a headmaster before he came away and tried to get him to say that he would challenge this year but with little success. Mr A. J. Pendeville (Wellington) said that in the case of Wellington City, Wellington College had its own triangular tourney while other colleges had boys who were felt to be too young to play in the matches since Te Aute had players near the age limit. Mr W. J. Norrie (Hawke’s Bay) gave his opinion that the average age at the Napier High School would be higher than at Te Aute and the Napier High School had 300 boys to pick from while Te Aute had only 60. There was no mystery about the position said Mr G. Pownall (Wanganui). There was no hope of inducing King’s College or Christ’s College to play for trophies. Mr McLeod: The thing is due to conservatism. The president. said that the course proposed by the ftfistees was the best way out of the difficulty and the resolution was , carried.