RUGBY TOUR

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 154, 25 March 1939, Page 12

RUGBY TOUR

British Universities’ Team

PROSPECTS DOUBTFUL "The replies are not very encouraging, ’’ said Mr. S. S. Dean, chairman of lhe executive of Hie New Zealand Rugby Union, when lie reported at a meeting of the New Zealand council in Wellington yesterday the progress of negotiations to have a British Universities team in New Zealand next vear. Tin- great, difficulty seemed to be the question of leave, said Mr. Dean. Favourable reports of discussions in England had been brought back by Mr. McDonald but, judging from letters he hud received, the authorities of the Oxford. Cambridge and Dublin Universities were uncertain on Hie question of leave. The trip would mean foregoing a year's study. Mr. A. E. McPhail (Canterbury) sit id it would be unfortunate for the sport if no overseas team came to New Zealand during centennial year. Mr. G. A. Maddisou (Hawkes Bay) said he had been informed that a committee was working on the proposal in England, with Dr. A. E. Porritt and Dr. J. E. Lovelock as members. Mr. McPhail: If we could give Mr. McDonald some power it might, do notin' good. According lo his remarks to me. lie thinks Hie tour can be brought about. Mr. Dean said that, if a team could be obtained it would pay to bring it lo New Zealand by air. This would mean doubling the cost, but the union Would get another four matelies. However. special planes would have to be chartered. The universities concerned had appointed Drs. Porritt and Lovelock to work on their behalf, and Mr. Cecil Wray, the union’s representative on the English Rugby Football Union, was also active. In addition a number of persons in ’Wellington were negotiating. It was decided to defer discussion till the meeting of the council on May 2, by which time further information should be to hand from Britain.