ARMY LET RUGBY UNION DOWN.

Chronicle (Levin), 17 September 1946, Page 3

ARMY LET RUGBY UNION DOWN.

-Press Association

Bv Telearavh-

DUNEDIN, Sept. 1>. 'The Australian Kugby i'Tiion fell down 011 its job during the war,' said W. MeLean, captain ot the Australian team, at a soeial funetion after the inateh with the All Blaeks. " ihe Australian ariny did not play any organised games of Kugby during the war, with the exeeption of the Mh Division in ' Mai ava, ' ' lie added, "and as the result ■ KugbV League took eliarge and that is whv the Kugby Union gaine iu Australia is not of a higher standard tinui it is today. ' ' The Australian team was a young ' oue, lie said, and it was auxious to learn init it liad been beaten hy a sujierior eombinaUon. It was lioped, however, that there would be aa iuiprove numt bv the eiul of tlie tour. The inanager, l>r. Ward, extended eoiigratulations to tlu* All lllaeks 011 tlieir iine victory. \\ hen the New Zea land team visited Australia next season ; evervthing possible would lie duno to reverse tlie result of that day s game and return the o]ien tuuided hosjiitality that had been lavished 011 the team in N'ew Zealand. A wonderfui s[>irit prevailed through ' tlie game, said K. K. Allen, eaptuin oi tlie New Zealand team. It was a de lightful game to play in and althougii there were a few " liad siiots" lie thought the teams and speclators lmd enjoyed it.