MATCHES UNLIKELY

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 143, 14 December 1927, Page 11

MATCHES UNLIKELY

i The cabled report from Sydney regarding engagements for the New Zeailand Eugby team on its way to South mca next year does not represent the ue position so far as the New Zealand Rugby Union is concerned. Nothing definite has been done in the matter of arranging matches for the team in Australia, and there is little likelihood of any taking place. Mr. S. S. Dean, chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union, made the following statement when the cabled message was referred to him:—"So far as I am concerned no matches will be played by the New Zealand team in Australia. The present intention is not to play any matches at all prior to the team's arrival in .South' Africa. The matter of a match in Melbourne has never been officially discussed by the management committee, but the general opinion of members is that no matches should be played in Australia. The risk of injury is a' very serious matter, and apart from that the travelling arrangements will not permit of any matches in Sydney. The team leaves Wellington on the 13th April, arrives in Sydney on the following Tuesday morning, and loaves at noon the same day en route for South Africa." „ Mr. Dean added that'where the stay at ports of call was long enough arrangements would be made for the team to have a run iv order to assist them in the matter of fitness for the tour. As the South African engagements would not terminate until Sep. tember, there was little prospects of any matches in Australia on the return trip when the football season woujd be over. I "The relationship between the New Zealand and New South Wales Rugby Unions has alwa3's been most cordial," said Mr. Dean, "and I hope it will conI tiuue to be so."