Union Rugby Men in Camp

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 85, 1 July 1927, Page 6

Union Rugby Men in Camp

M.Z.R.F.U. TO CONSIDER QUESTION PRACTICE DATES BACK TO 1904 It is reported in Wellington that the New Zealand Rugby Union will shortly deal with the question of representative teams going into camp before a big engagement. Opinion among N.Z.R.F.U. officials is stated to be strongly against the practice, which is by no means new in Maoriland Rugby. Away back in 1904, the New Zealand representatives under the captaincy of J. W. Stead went into camp at Day’s Bay, Wellington, for their match against Bedell - Sievwright’s British team. The coaching they received at this popular seaside resort is generally considered to have laid the foundation for their famous victory against the Englishmen by nine points to three.

After the war, this method became popular all over New Zealand. Southland set the ball rolling in 1920 when its representatives underwent special coaching for the match in which they relieved Wellington of the Ranfurly Shield. Hawke’s Bay went further still, and put their men into camp at Taradale for several matches in which the shield was at stake. Wairarapa took a leaf out of the Hawke’s Bay book last month, when its players went into camp before the match, the captain, Q. Donald, stating after the game that this had been one of the most important factors in its success. The Seddon Shield districts in the South Island and the Bush Union in the North are also reported to have adopted the same method of preparatory training. There is much to be said in favour of the idea. It has been carried out with great success in the past. But the point that is said to be giving the N.Z.R.F.U. most cause for concern is the question of just how far it conflicts with the amateur status of the game. An alternative scheme which is said to be favoured by the New Zealand Union is the New South Wales method. Here the players were billeted at a suburban hotel, to which they went after work, the late afternoon being occupied with training “stunts” and the evenings with talks on tactics, etc.