FOOTBALL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18443, 29 March 1922, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

THE FRENCH TEAM'S ABANDONED TOUR. PARIS, March 27. Thq sole reason for the abandonment ot the Rugby tour is that it would interfere with the French championships in October and May. FURTHER DETAILS. Received March 28, 7.30 p.m. PARIS, March 27. The Australian Press learns authoritatively that the reason for the cancellation of the Rugby team’s tour is solely that the absence of the best players would interfere with the success of the French championships, which begin in October and continue till May. It was thought a return in September would be possible, but the French Rugby Federation has just learnt from 'the New Zealand Rugby Union that the earliest date for return was October 15th. The Federation therefore decided against the tour. Some of the best judges have been against the tour on the ground that French footballers, though they have made remarkable progress since the war, have not yet reached a sufficiently high standard to meet Australians and New Zealanders, and must have suffered a crushing defeat. Others considered the stern series of matches which the tour would certainly have provided would have been the finest (even if severe) lesson for French Rugby players. These considerations, however, did not enter into the Federation’s decision. N.S.W. DELEGATION TO N.Z. Received March 28, 10.10 p.m. SYDNEY, March 28. The Rugby Union appointed a delegation to visit New Zealand with the object of enquiring into the whole question of New Zealand football, and making final arrangements for the visit of a Maori team to New South Wales during the coming season. The delegation sails on April Bth, (per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, March 28. At a meeting of the Canterbury Rugby Union it was resolved: That on the All New Zealand selection committee both islands should have equal representation; that this union is of opinion that the New Zealand Union should use its best endeavours to induce the French team to visit the Dominion this season, even if a fewer number of matches were played.