“FORCED TO PLAY.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17033, 5 May 1923, Page 7

“FORCED TO PLAY.”

ALLBLACKS IN SYDNEY. FEWER GAMES IN FUTURE. A matter which caused some discussion in my province,” was Avha L Mr Compton (Invercargill) termed the piaying of three in live days by the last- New Zealand team to visit Australia. At the annual meeting of the NeAv Zealand Rugby Union he asked for an explanation. ‘ FORCED TO PLAY.” “ When 1 took the team over to New South Wales last year, 1 had no idea until I arrived in Sydney that the team would be required to play those matches,” said Mr S. S. Dean, the manger of the team. “We protested, both Mr Beilis and I; we even threatened not to play ; but we. could get no rearragnement, and Avere forced to play the matches. 1 realise as well as anyone that the arrangement was a bad one, and I have reported in that vein.” Mr George Slade stated that he had laid the dates on the table before the team sailed. It had been the custom to play one match on the Saturday, and when the Maori team went over to Australia in 1910 they played four matches in eight days. A member: It’s too much. Mr Slade: It was a matter of £250 a week for the team. Mr Dean : I think that none of the management committee knew the dates, and that the other members will bear me <yut in this. Mr Glenn (Wanganui) moved a recommendation to the incoming committee that an interval of at least three days between test matches should be observed. “MEN, NOT MONEY.” Mr Slade: May I give you some figures? Here they are. The Maori team in Australia in 1910: Matches played 11, Avon 7, lost 2, drawn 2, points for 209, against 99. From June 6 to July 5. Maori team in 1913, from June 6 to June 28, plaj’ed 8 matches, won 5, lost 2. points for 102, against 65. Mr M’Leod (Taranaki) : The men, not the money, should be the first consideration. (Hear, hear.) Mr G. Dixon: If tho Maori team played those matches in that time, more power to their elbow. They must have been a great side to do it. He spoke in a similar strain to the previous speaker. “It took us all our time to rake up a side for the last test match,” admitted Mr Dean. The motion was carried unanimously-