Move Toward All Black Tour Of Australia

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 16, Issue 4, 4 October 1950, Page 4

Move Toward All Black Tour Of Australia

Strong support for sending an All Buack team to Australia next season was expressed by several members at a meeting of the council of the New Zealand Rugby Union.

The only point on which there was conflict was tliat the New Zealand Universities Rugby Council had already been advised that it could proceed with a tour of Australia early next year. The New Zealand Universities had been trying for two years to make the visit. It was contended that while All Black football must come first, consideration might be given to seeing how far the universities had gone with their plans. On the motion of Mr S. B. Heather it was decided that the subject be referred to the Australian Rugby Union to ascertain which team it desired, and that decision be deferred till the next council meeting.

Mr Heather assured members that the motion did not mean that the union would ride roughshod over the universities. The universities should be told immediately that this was in the wind. Members considered that it was too great a strain on players and on their employers to have two teams touring in the same season. The chairman of the New Zealand selection committee, Mr T. C, Morrison, said that it would be some time before the All Blacxs went on their next big tour, to Great Britain in 1954. As most of the present players would have dropped out by then, it was essential to give up-and-coming young players every opportunity in the meantime.

The chairman, Mr A. St. C. Belcher, said that a team should be sent. New Zealand could not vary from the policy of endeavouring to help the game to remain strong in Australia.

The present schedule of tours provided for Australia to go to South Afriba in 1953, fend New Zealand to England in 1954, but the wish had been expressed that these tours might be advanced. Australia was pressing for their visit to South Africa to be in 1952. Mr G. Orrell stressed that the importance of providing football for New Zealand as well as Australia must not be overlooked. Consideration might well be given to inviting a Fijian team, or sending a colts' team or an All Black x team on tour in New Zealand. Mr J. H. Parker urged allowing ,the New Zealand Universities’ tour to proceed, with the All Blacks making a tour the following year. He wanted to see one good season of club rugby.