AMATEUR RUGBY.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13413, 10 May 1912, Page 3

AMATEUR RUGBY.

REVIVAL OF INTEREST

Rugby Union football gained its preeminence among winter pastimes first by reason of its value as a game to the player, and next by its wide international aspect, writes Mr. W. W. Hill, secretary of the New South Wales and Metropolitan Rugby Unions in the "Referee." The actual playing brings forth attributes in a man which otherwise might be unseen, it is full of possibilities to the thinker who works out tactics, and, from the standpoint of physical betterment, opens up a wide avenue of advantage to all who participate. Others might say this of their games, out to none can it bo truly applied as to the Rugby Union. It binds nations together in a sporting sense. and more particularly those which embrace the English-speaking races. The popularity gained by Rugger, however, brought with it the dangers and pitfalls that go hand and hand with great successes, and as that position brought a split to the ranks in the Old. Country, so also has it been followed in the same way by a split in Australia. However, just as the storm was weathered in England, and the game has recovered all the lost ground, so also is a loyal adherence to the amateur principles that are part and parcel of the Rugby Union game keeping up its glory as a pastime in Australia. ° English Rugby is now much the better for the struggle, and the revival^ of interest is all the more satisfactory for its steady growth. The game seems to be gaining ground in all parts of the world, and the next twelve months will witness a South African tour of Great Britain and France, and an Australian tour of the United States of .America and British Columbia; whilst the Argentine is ready and willing to receive a team from one or other of the nations as evidenced by the invitations issued by its governing body. . Thus, from its international point, there seems nothing lacking, for there are distinct signs of activity. In Australia the position is full of promise. At the end of the season we are officially inaugurating on' Saturday, a representative team will visit America. This provides a stimulus to players and officials which will make the 1912 season a really great one to them. But this is not all—the visit of an Australian team to New Zealand is due, and should be carried out at the end of the 1913 season. This will help to re-establish/ New Zealand Rugger in the position it certainly merits. If the New Zealand programme.be carried out in 1913 it will | follow in natural order that 1914 .will see toother New Zealand side in the Commonwealth— possibly one that, as in 1905, will go on to England, and there demonstrate that the Rugby of the Dominion is a game for athletic artists, and inferior to nothing else in the Rugby world. The 1913 and 1914 seasons will also have possibilities in respect to other international visitors. But should neither year Bee Australia opposed to the South Africans or British combinations by the time 1915 arrives, something definite with the Springboks should be reached, and arrangements be made'with England and the other Home Unions for a continuation of, the contests which from 1899 to 1908 occurred, with so much advantage and pleasure. ■\Vo must not forget our friends in America, who have so quickly taken a place in the international circle, and who have risen to the occasion by the issue of the invitation to our team for the end of this season.