International Rugby Board Is Unfairly Constituted.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18468, 21 May 1928, Page 4

International Rugby Board Is Unfairly Constituted.

GRAVE DANGER OF REAL SPLIT BETWEEN DOMINIONS AND ENGLAND.

Suruods,, ui AY ’3 “For the last six years we have warned the Rugby world that the farcical constitution of the so-called International Board would one day lend us into danger. The moment has arrived. We learn with regret from the headquarters of the New Zealand Rugby Union that in future no British team will ever visit New Zealand whiie the men at present in charge of affairs in Scotland and Ireland have any say in the matter.” These are the words of S. F. Wilson, the New Zealand delegate at the International Rugby Conference in 1925, and, coming from such a man, it is a statement of considerable menace to Rugby unity in the British Empire. Fortunately, Mr Wilson adds that the decision of the International Board not to send a team to his country will not affect any future visits of their team to England. This is only another confirmation of the statement Mr Wilson msde to me three seasons ago, when he said: "We realise that in the Rugby Union, or the English Union, we possess real friends, but ” Stronger Still. The time has undoubtedly arrived when stronger action than even that frequently suggested by James Baxter, when, in 1927, he was president of the Rugby Union, and since that time, must be adopted if we are to retain the Dominions as our Rugby friends.

I was with Cecil J. Wray, the very popular representative of New Zealand on the Rugby Union in this country, the other evening, and hr. said: “Well, as regards the proper representation of the . Dominions on the International Board, I have gone as far as I can, but ‘The Sporting Life’ has gone very much farther, and it is appreciated.”

At the same time he recognised the magnificent work of such men as Sir Rowland Hill, James Baxter and George Harnett on their behalf, and he could not do otherwise. The fact is, the constitution of the International Board is all wrong. In the circumstances thcit prevail to day it is unfair. It is unfair inasmuch that the gov-

eminent of the game is only in the hands of four representatives of England and two each from Scotland, Ireland and Wales, with the Unions of New Zealand. Australia and South Africa occupying the position of “outcasts,” or men incapable of discussing an important point of the game in common with the Home unions. The Best Friends. The Rugby Union, or England, are the best friends the Colonies or Dominions possess; the position of Wales appears neutral; Scotland is, for some peculiar reason, violently antagonistic to our overseas brothers; and Ireland give one the impression of supporting Scotland in whatever attitude the)’ may adopt. And the attitude of Scotland towards New Zealand alone has been anything but pleasurable to Rugby men in general. We are in grave danger, greater now than in any previous period, of a ical .split between the Dominions and tile Mother Country. This, so far as Rugby matters icq concerned, and it is unthinkable. Suicly because there are a few fanatics in the world—self-constituted members of a “purity brigade”—we are not going to lose the friendship of three centies of the Empire which have given us some of the most magnificent RugOj players and sportsmen the game has ever produced. Rugby football is a great game—“the game of games,” as Commander S. F. Coopper has described 'rit—but Empire friendship is greater still. Tfle action of the Scottish Union—or a very small minority of this rather wonderful athletic organisation—has for a long time incensed those in control of the game overseas. They regard their position as a poc-e —and they are not far wrong. I number scores of Rugby friends in Scotland, and even these fellows admit that the attitude of their leaders is a real menace to the game. The attitude of the International Board in deciding, even “with regret,” not to send a team to New Zealand is regarded as an insult—and not without justification. I sincerely believe, had New Zealand approached the Rugby Union, a team would have been sent out to the Antipodes at all costs, if only in recognition of the great pleasure the All Blacks of 1924 gave us in this country. Need Not Worry. New 'Zealand, however, need not worry. I can assure their union that in England they have been welcomed here, and always will be. They possess a magnificent friend in James Baxter, who has told me only just recently that he will work day in and day out on their behalf. Why need thev worry about Scotland? /