WORLD RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP IS SUGGESTED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 70, 17 July 1950, Page 3

WORLD RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP IS SUGGESTED

A Rugby Union world championship, to be played in Brisbane and Sydney, and ended in Melbourne, has been suggested as Rugby’s contribution to the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne. Possible contestants, it is urged, should be Australia, Britain, New Zealand, France and South Africa.

Travelling expenses might deter Britain and France from competing, although, by 1956, air travel should be cheaper and also faster. In any case, there should be nothing to stop New Zealand «n South Africa making the trip. Thus, if a world Rugby Union championship were not possible, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia could battle for a Southern Hemisphere championship. Supporters of the scheme point out that Rugby Union has not been featured in the Olympic Games for

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JULY 26th & 27th Bookings at Armstrongs

many years. So why not start in 1956? they ask. Some alterations of rules would be necessary, but this could be overcome.

Australian Rugby Union team selector, Mr Ron Walden, who visited Whakatane last year with the Wallabies, warned New South players at University Oval a few days ago that they would be “living in a fool’s paradise” if they considered themselves certain to beat the British Isles team this year and New Zealand next season.

Mr Walden gave this warning because of an air of superiority which has developed since the Australians’ victorious tour of Britain and their defeats of New Zealand to win the Bledisloe Cup. Like other selectors, Mr Walden is now a ‘keen adherent of the scrum as packed by South Africa against'New Zealand last year. New Zealand, forced to copy it to offset the Sprin ’-oks, are now using the method.