WELLINGTON RUGBY OUTLOOK

Chronicle (Levin), 21 March 1946, Page 3

WELLINGTON RUGBY OUTLOOK

Tlie prospects of returniiig to a normal representative prograir.rne in the coniing football season are stated in the Wellington Rughy Union's annual report to be ratlier indehnite. However, a big season is anticipated, and, if travel and aceommodation difficulties can be met, Wellington 's Rugby representatives will have a strathern tour as part of their programme. It is pointecl out in the report, to be presented at the annual meeting this week, that the whole qnestion of ropresontative lixtures will come up for discussion at the annual meeting of delegates to the New Zealand Rugby Union. The Wellington unibn'3 committee liopes to continue "home-and-home matches with Auckland and Can"terbuiy, and expects that Taranaki will repay the visit made to that union last year. The coming season will be the first for seven years to open under peaeetime conditions, and it is hoped that clubs will be on a normal footing again with most of their members baek from overseas. Shortage of grounds is likely to be a major problem, but there is the hope that more will be available in the Hutt Valley and that others oceupietl by the Armed Forces will be restored for civilian nse. The report mentions that Easter Monday will be the fiftieth anniversary of the playing of the first matches on Athlctic Park. The past season is stated. in the report to have been the most successful in the last decade. The support given by the public was striking .evidence of the popularity of the game.. An improved standard of play was shown, and eom pelition generallv was keen. Tlie Yeport also malces speeial mention of tlie matorial service given by tlie gr?„nt;inp of facilities for service person nel tc take part in the local compqtitions.