RUGBY UNION GAME

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10756, 30 April 1913, Page 6

RUGBY UNION GAME

+ PROPOSED INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME.

When Mr W. W. Hill, secretary of the New South Wales Rugby Union, returned from a trip to America, Great Britain and France, says the Sydney "Morning Herald," ho mentioned many interesting matters in connection with. Rugby Union football and other sports; but the real results of his tour were shown in the deliberations of the Council of the New South Wales Rugby Union. The secretary's report of the conferences held with all the oversea unions was then finally dealt with, and the position is such that, in the words of one prominent enthusiast, " tho union game has a brighter and rosier outlook for the next five years than at any other time in its history in Australia.'''

The principal feature in the report is undoubtedly that of international tours, and New Zealand will be asked to co-operate in taking action in many directions that will have a most important bearing on the game. Although yet in an embryo stage, the way has been cleared for invitations to be issued, terms to be submitted, and dates to be named. The most convenient time for the visiting unions in each instance has been ascertained with due regard to local fixtures, conditions, and programmes with other bodies. South Africa has just completed a long tour of Great Britain and France, and does not desire another tour for a few years. Added to that is the fact that interprovincial games of much importance are to be played in 1913 and 1915, so that 1916 has been chosen as the year in which the Springboks have been invited to tour Australia. and New Zealand. Similarly, the. other countries have been considered, and every effort has been promised by tho unions invited to send a representative side here if possible. As has already been announced, a Maori team will visit Australia under Mr W. T. Parata, and an Australian team will visit New Zealand. It is also verv probable that the dominion will send a side to America next September. During 1914 the New Zealanders will play in New South Wales and Queensland ; and it is proposed that an Australian side should play in San Francisco again in connection with the World's Exposition at the opening of the Panama Canal in 1915. The programme for that year will most likely include the visit to Australia and New Zealand of a British team, as the Council decided to ask the New Zealand Union to co-operate in a joint invitation to that end. A similar proposition is made in regard to a visit from South Africa in 1916.

In regard to tours, the International Board is at present considering the matter of sending New Zealand an invitation to visit Great Britain and France during 1814. and also one to Australia to tour the same countries in 1916 or 1917. During 1915, 1916 and 1917 the interchange of visits between New Zealand and Australia will also be continued, in addition to the annual games between New South Wales and Queensland'. Thus the next five seasons is sure to see increased activity in Rugby Union circles, and the proposed programme shows the great international position of the game. The Aoung players now starting their firstclass careers have better prospects than iii any previous five years of the Ujiion's liistory, and the development of talent will do much to improve the standard of the game generalh r among the clubs. IMPERIAL COUNCIL.

One of the features of the report is the proposal for better representation of tlie colonial unions with the governing body of the game. At present each union lias a representative on the Rugby Football Union (England), and, in addition, Australia and New Zealand combined has a representative on the laws sub-committee, which body deals with alterations proposed in the game. An application is now to be forwarded asking for the separate representation of Australia, which would give Australia two delegates. The chief proposition, however, is the establishment of an Imperial Rugby Council, giving equal voting power to all the big unions, such as England, Scotland, Ireland. Wales. France, New Zealand, New South Wales, Queensland, South Africa, British ' Columbia and California. This body would be the court of appeal and final legislative authority of the world, and would deal with the laws of the game, international tours, etc.. under the chairmanship of the president of the Rugby Union (England). This has been a pet theory of the Australasian unions for some years, but previously the South African Board considered the proposal premature. Now, however, it is understood that the Springboks favour it, and consequently the whole matter is to be revived. That such an institution is necessary seems certain in view of the great growth of the game and the consequent meetings of representative fifteens of all the nations. There should be uniformity in the financing and playing of international tours, the laws of the game, and the rules as to professionalism, etc.. to ensure proper and .systematic working. In many ways the Council would prove a most' useful adjunct to internationalism in the Rugby Union game. The proposals referred to will !w sent to the South African Board for consideration, and if acceptable to that body the British unions will be approached, as- the oUkmcolonial organisations have previously expressed unanimity on the subject.