ALL BLACKS NEXT TOUR

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19512, 10 June 1933, Page 20

ALL BLACKS NEXT TOUR

BAN ON FRANCE. WHAT OF SCOTLAND? It has been taken for granted that when the New Zealand Rugby football team goes to the Home countries in the 1936-37 season the itinerary will include matches in Scotland and a Test with Scotland. Reports some time ago indicated that any breach of the past between Scotland and New Zealand had been healed. It is surprising therefore to find -that a prominent English sports writer (C. W. Packford), in discussing the international Rugby situation with special reference to the position of France, raises the point that there is no certainty as yet that New Zealand will have a match with Scotland, but the hope is expressed that “at long last Scotland will hold out the hand of friendship to the New Zealand Uunion.” Mention si made, too, that unless the ban on France is lifted New Zealand will be unable to extend its tour to that country as was done previously. “There was once a possibility of. France being readmitted to the international championship much sooner than was generally expected,” writes Mi’. Packford. “I understand that England and Wales were practically in favour of their reinstatement in season 1934-35; that Ireland possessed an open mind, but that Scotland objected to a renewal of fixtures until the French had displayed convincing proof of regeneration. While recognising the necessity for England being loyal to the International Board, I believe a little more of the spirit of helpfulness might be extended to men who are doing everything in their power to regain the goodwill of their former rivals.

"It matters not to me that the absence of France from the championship means the loss of thousands of pounds to each of the British unions; what I and many others are concerned with is the extension of the Rugby Union game outside the Empire. The All Blacks will be with us again in two years' time (actually it is three years'), and they have expressed a desire for an engagement with France. This cannot be entertained if the ban on the French Federation has not been removed.

“The anxiety of New Zealand for this additional international fixture is understandable. Unless the Scottish Union adopt a different attitude than they have evinced since 1906 towards our visitors the All Blacks will certainly not agree to a match at Murrayheld, where they have yet to play. In the circumstances, New Zealand are anxious to avoid a further restricted international programme, and the return to the fold of France would be welcomed by them.

“What a singular thing it is that the Scottish Union always appear to stand in the way of progress? Certainly this season they have ’come to earth’ in the matter of numbering players, but one can recall many occasions, international and otherwise, when they have adopted an almost arrogant attitude. Some eight years ago the then president of the union made a public announcement in which he claimed for himself and his union the sole credit for preserving the real spirit of ‘Rugger,’ not only in Scotland but in other centres of the British Isles. “So singularly inaccurate and unfair was the statement, that I reminded the gentleman in question in “The Sporting Life” that such men as Sir George Rowland Hill, E. Temple Gurdon, and Horace Lyne, of Wales, had played a big part in the development of the game on the soundest principles. “For this I was ‘excommunicated.’ I was and am still barred by them from receiving the ordinary courtesies extended to ‘Rugger’ journalists by every other organisation wherever the game is played. The sequel has been laughable, for I have attended every match in Scotland since then as the guest of a prominent member of whichever union has been playing there. And as a result I have been able to witness the games in comfort, and not perched high up under the roof of the stand. “The future of Scottish Rugger is bright, and they now possess a combination that should provide a greater menace to the next All Blacks’ team than any other country. “For this reason one hopes that at long last Scotland will hold out the hand of friendship to the New Zealand Union, who. I know, are willing to sink all differences If approached In the right way. But the first advances must come from Scotland.”