IMPERIAL RUGBY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1596, 13 November 1912, Page 3

IMPERIAL RUGBY.

THAT "SLIGHT" TO NEW ZEALAND. ' About two months ago a brief cablegram was received from London bearing on tho preference which had been given to South Africa over New Zealand in the matter of a visit to the Old Country of a representative Eugby team. The article on which that cablo message was based appeared in the London "Refereo" of September 15, now to hand, and reads as follows:— "Glad as wo shall all bo to see the South Aincan team, who aro duo to arrive in England at the end of the present month, it by no means follows that the Lugby Union—or, rather, tho four • national unions—luivo acted wisely in inviting our friends from tho Cape before the New /calenders havo been requested to pay us a return visit. To tho New Zealanders, who camo hero in tho autumn of 1905, is duo, it should not l>e forgotten; tho credit of arousing English football players to the fact that there existed possibilities in tho Rugby gamo which our moil had not realised, and seeing that the New Zealanders' tour in this country, tcok placo tivelvo months before that of tho South Africans, ordinary procedure and courtesy demanded that, apart from Very strong reasons' to the contrary,' the compliment of an invitation should have been extended to tho "All Blacks" or their successors before the South Africans were asked a second time. "Wo do not pretend to explain the reasons why the New Zealanders were passed over in favour of the South Africans, but it is common knowledgo that the U-tter team created a far better impression than their predecessors in both a social sense and as players oii the Held. It may be, too, that whilo England and Wales were prepared to welcome the Now Zealanders, tho hand of those two unions was, to a largo extent, forced by Scotland and lieland. Whatever Iho truth of tho matter, tho fact remains that, whilo Scotland and Ireland would have nothing to do with tho Australians who loured hero I wo or three seasons ago, those two union; wero prominently identified with the invitation extended to the South Africans >n tho oourso of last 6oason. Indeed, the announcement that all four unions desired to seo tlia South Africana hero iv--,s emphasised to such an extent as to Wgest

that. no similar' unanimity could be-.- obtained in connection with a visit fiom any other colonial teams—meaning, of course, those.of New Zealand and Australia. "Now, while everybody is ready l>i admit that the, South Africans played the game in an admirable Spirit, pursuing methods on the field quite above reproach, and under all conditions conducting themselves in a most, sportsmanlike fashion—ft claim which might be made but utmld certainly not be allowed on all hands for the New Zealanders and Australians—the question arises whether, in .connection with tho visits of colonial teams, srmething moro important than the perssnal feelings, of players and . others closely■ identified with the game should not be the determining factor.- Beyond all doubt, Rugby men on tho other side of the world entertain the opinion that they have been slighted by tho action of the Home unions. "This-is certainly- an undesirable stpto of things, and, making. every allowance for the personal considerations which may have controlled matters, the question may be asked whether the Imperial aspect, which cannot very . well be avoided, has been taken sufficiently into consideration by- those responsible for the control of Rugby football in the British Isles. It would surely be occasion ■ for ; regret if, merely because the South Africans areexcellent men to meet-both on and off the field, an affront should be passed Upon another-portion of the British Empire..There is another point which appears to have been overlooked. 'In both New Zealand and Australia Rugby men are engaged in a.stern battle with the represen-tatives-of the 'Northern;. Union. To the people struggling to uphold the ."aiise of. amateur, football it might have been though that those who profess, and- no, doubt entertain, so strong a desire to keep the game free from professionalism, vMild have held out a helping hand;'"