RUGBY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 78, 2 April 1938, Page 11

RUGBY

TOUR OF N.Z. BY ALL BLACKS WANGANUI UNION’S REMIT PROJECT FOR SEASON IN 1939 “That an All Black team be chosen in 1939 to tour —New Zealand and play 10 or 12 matches against unions, excluding the four centres, and that the team be accompanied by the New Zealand selector or selectors.’ This remit was approved of by the Management Committee of lhe Wanganui Rugby .Union on Thursday night to be forwarded to the annual confer ence of the New Zealand Union in Wellington in May. Dr. G. J. Adams, chairman of the committee and also a member of the New Zealand Rugby Council, said that the matter had been fully discussed a l , the last council meeting on his suggestion. Once before Wanganui had brought a similar suggestion forward and on another occasion had supported such a request coming from some other union. Such a tour would serve two purposes. It would enable patrons to see the best players in action and it would enable the selectors to see those good players of the Dominion apart from those selected, against good opposition. “Play the North-South Island match, select lhe All Black team and let it tour New Zealand and then have one or two trials, and then select the team to tour South Africa, that is the proposition,” Dd. Adams explained. The meeting unanimously approved of the remit.

PRIVILEGES FOR EX-ALL BLACKS SHOULD GET TICKETS FOR I ESTS “I think it is a disgrace to our lootball that players who have represented New Zealand in i'iternational matches in the past should have to enter into the general scramble to get tickets o£ admission to tests,” said Mr. R. C. S. McKenzie, one of the Rangitikei representatives on the Management Committee of the Wanganui Rugby I Union, at a meeting of that body on Thursday night. It was decided to forward to the New Zealand Union a remit to the effect that any player who has represented New Zealand overseas, or has played for New Zealand during an international tour should be given a complimentary ticket to any future test match, such match to be the nearest played in the Dominion to the explayer’s place of residence. AUCKLAND UNION FINE POSITION DISCLOSED BENEFITS OF SPRINGBOK TOUR Warmly congratulating the Auckland Rugby Union on the success oi the last season, the Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, at the annual meeting of delegates on Wednesday evening, expressed the thanks of the citizens of the tine social service the unio\ was rendering in improving the health of the rising generation and providing pleasure for the community generally. The president, Mr. H. Frost, who was in the chair, in commenting upon the annual report, said that although the union started the season with a. deficit of more than £lOOO it had finished with a credit of £llOO. This was a fine state of affairs, due principally to the visit of the South Africans. “1 can see no reason why we can.lot materially improve on that credit this season if the clubs get together and play the right type of football,” added Mr. Frost. “But a union of our size cannot carry on unless it has a considerable amount of finance. The class of game seen at Eden Park should be such that should attract thousands of people.” After paying a high tribute to the fine football played by the Springboks and their gentlemanly conduct both on and off the field, Mr. Frost said he had noticed that an effort had been made by some unions and others to make excuses for the failure of the New Zealand side. Some had even said the defeat was due to the playing of the amended rules. “I deny that,’’ Mr. Frost said. “The only reason out team was defeated was that the Springboks were the better side. Those in authority will remedy things. We should not be worried because of the defeat. We are apt to forget that other countries are improving their football. We should see that we are fit to meet any international or representative team that comes here and never forget that Rugby is a game—to fit one for the game of life. Il must be looked on only as a game, a I form of recreation. Of course, we want to win, but only in a fair and manly way.” <App’ause.).