FOOTBALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18575, 25 September 1928, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY CODE MAKES STEADY PROGRESS IN AUSTRALIA. , AUCKLAND, September 21. Mr R. A. O. Martin, chairman of the Management Committee of the New South Wales Rugby Union, arrived in Auckland bv the Aorangi. He went on to Wellington, where he will attend a conference convened by the New Zealand Rugby Union. He will leave for Sydney on Friday with the New South Wales team. Mr Martin spoke most enthusiastically about the great progress the Rugby game was making all over Australia. This was particularly noticeable in the country* districts of New South Wales, and quite a good percentage of players was now being drawn from the country for the State representative teams. The game had also been revived in West Australia, where there was wonderful keenness and where the number of supporters had increased tremendously. There was talk of starting the game in South Australia so that it was getting back practically throughout Australia. Attendances had increased tremendously in Sydney and so the union’s finances had correspondingly improved. It was hoped to play on the Sydney* cricket ground next season, and then the union would have access to two oi the best grounds in Sydney. The Rugby game had not been played on the cricket ground for a great many years. “ Much of the success of the Rugby game throughout Australia is due to the great and unfailing support New Zealand has always given us,” said Mr Martin. "We try to put. on a game entertaining to the public, and J feel sure we are gradually getting back to our pre-war eminence.'’