TO TOUR BRITAIN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 213, 8 September 1945, Page 7

TO TOUR BRITAIN

INVITATION TO KIWI RUGBY TEAM TENTATIVE ARRANGEMENTS (P.A.) Wellington, Sept. 7 The Minister of Defence, Hon. F. Jones, announced to-day that, approval had been given for General Freyberg to accept the invitation from service and Rugby authorities in Britain for a team from the Second N.Z.E.F. to tour England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Tentative arrangements had been made for matches against teams from the Navy, Army Air Force, Oxford and Cambridge Universities, London hospitals, and certain Welsh, Scottish, and English county teams. There would also be international features against. England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.

Possibility of extending the tour to France and Germany for games against the French Army, Paris University, and the British liberation army was also being considered. The tour wouhl be under me auspices of the British Army Sporls Control Board and British Rugby Unions. Detailed arrangements would lie in the hands of the Inter-Services Rugby Football Committee with which the New Zealand representatives would be associated. Brigadier R. S. Park, New Zealand military liaison officer at New Zealand House would be the principal New Zealand representative on the committee and Lieut.-Colonel A. H. Andrews, the well-known New Zealand player would be team manager.

General financial arrangements for the tour were being guaranteed by the New Zealand Government but it was expected that expenses would be met from gate money and any surplus would be devoted to charity. Mr. Jones said there had been great enthusiasm for a tour within the Second Division and undoubtedly the best team would be selected to uphold the best traditions of New Zealand Rugby