RUGBY FOOTBALL N.Z. Union Considers Use of Grounds for Rugby League Tourists

Grey River Argus, 1 June 1948, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL N.Z. Union Considers Use of Grounds for Rugby League Tourists

P.A. WELLINGTON. May 31. An echo of the refusal of the English Rugby Union to permit the Ilkley Club to allow the New Zealand Rugby League team to use its ground as its training headquarters last year was heard at to-day’s meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Rugby Union. Mr Maurice Smith, New Zealand representative on the English Union forwarded a letter received by him from the Ilkley Club, proposing an addition to the rules covering professionalism, so' as to permit Rugby clubs to offer hospitality of their grounds to Colonial. Dominion, or foreign Rugby League tourists for the purpose of training only, and provided that no charge were made for such use. Before carrying this resolution, the Ilkley Club wished to have the view of overseas Unions on the matter. Members were in agreement that such procedure should be approved, as the status of rugby grounds should not be affected where no charge was made for the purpose proposed. The proposal was also a sensible approach to good relations between all sports bodies. Mr J. H. Parker, a member of the 1924 All Blacks in Great Britain, recalled that his team had had the use of many Soccer grounds without any issue of professionalism being raised. It was "decided to advise Mr Smith’ that, in the opinion of the executive, provided that a ground was used for training purposes only, there could be no objection to granting it to the overseas visiting rugby league teams. Following a request’ from North Auckland Union it was decided to arrange a match between North Auckland and the N.Z. Maori team, the date to be contingent on the date of the return of the team from Fiji. A Saturday flxturl? already had been arranged with Auckland, and the North Auckland match will be either

the previous or the following Wednesday. , ' , Mr A. J. McDonald (convenor) reported that he had a most successful meeting with the South Island All Black trial selectors at Christchurch last Saturday. A programme had been worked out to ensure the most thorough coverage possible. Notification of a challenge for the Ranfury Shield was received irom Hawkes Bay. DUNEDIN, May 31. Rugby matches on Saturday resulted: Southern 16, Dunedin 6; Kaikorai 11, University A 5; Pirates 17, Taieri 0; Union 11, Alhambra 3: Zin-gari-Richmond 20. Port Chalmers 6. CHRISTCHURCH, Mav 31. Rugby results:' Linwood 18, University 35; Albion 13. Training College lli Christchurch 32, New Brighton 9; Old Boys 9, Sunnyside .6: Sydenham 6, Marist 0; Technical 23, Merivale 12. Technical is leading in the competition with seven points, two points ahead of Old Boys.