STILL UNCERTAIN

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 17 June 1933, Page 8

STILL UNCERTAIN

MATCH WITH SCOTLAND ALL BLACKS’ NEXT TOUR. THE BAN ON FRANCE. It has been taken for granted tliat when the New Zealand Rugby football team goes to the Home countries in. the 1936-37 season the itinerary will include matches in Scotland and a Test with Scotland. Reports some time ago indicated that any breach of the past between Scotland and New Zealand had been healed. It is surprising, therefore, to find that a prominent English sports writer (O. W. Packford), in discussing the international Rugby situation with 'special reference to the position of France, raises the point that there is no certainty as yet that New Zealand will have a match with Scotland, but- the.hope is expressed that “at long last Scotland will hold out the hand of friendship to the New 'Zealand Union.” Mention is made, too, that unless the ban on France is lifted New Zealand will be unable to extend its tour to that country as was done previously. , SCOTLAND’S REQUIREMENT. “There was once a possibility of. Prance being readmitted to the international . championship much sooner than was generally expected, ’ ’ writes Mr Packford. “I understand that England and Wales were practically in favour of their reinstatement in season 1934-35; that Ireland possessed an open hand, but that Scotland objected to a renewal of fixtures until the French had displayed convincing proof of regeneration. While recognising the necessity for England being loyal to the International Board, I believe a little more of the spirit of helpfulness might be extended to men who are doing everything in their power to regaining the goodwill of -their former rivals.

“.It matters not to me that the absence of France from the championship means the loss of thousands of pounds to each of the British unions; what I and many others are concerned with is the extension of the Rugby Union game outside the Empire. The All Blacks will be with us again in two years’ time, [actually it is three years'], and they have expressed a desire for an engagement with France. This cannot be entertained if the ban on the French Federation has not been removed.

“NEW ZEALAND ANXIETY.”

“The anxiety of New Zealand for this additional international fixture is understandable. Unless the Scottish Union adopt a different attitude than they have evinced since 1906 towards our ■ visitors the All Blacks will certainly not agree to a match at Murrayfield, where they have yet to play. In. the circumstances New Zealand are anxious to avoid a further restricted! international programme, and the return to the fold of France would be welcomed by them. “What a singular thing it is that the Scottish Union always appear: to stand in the way of progress? 'Certainly this season they have ■‘come to earth’ in the matter of numbering players, Dut one can recall many occasions, international and otherwise, when they have adopted an almost arrogant attitude. Some eight years ago the then president of the union made a public announcement in which he claimed for himself and his- union the sole credit for preserving the real spirit of ‘Rugger,’ not only, in Scotland but in other centres of the British Isles.

COURTESIES WITHDRAWN. “So singularly inaccurate and unfair was the statement, that I reminded the gentleman in question in “The Sporting Life” that such men as Sir George Rowland Hill, E. 'Temple Gurdon, and Horace Lyne, of Wales, had played a big part in the development of the game on the soundest principles. “For this I was ‘excommunicated.’ I was and am still barred by them from receiving the ordinary courtesies extended to ‘Rugger’ journalists by every other organisation wherever the game is played. The sequel has been laughable, for I have attended every match in' Scotland since then as the guest of a prominent member of whichever union has been playing there. And as a result I have been able to witness the games in comfort, and not perched high up under the roof of the stand. A BRILLIANT RECORD. “Now to a more pleasurable reference to Scottish ‘Rugger.’ The new selection committee and the youthful combination they have fielded this season have received the congratulations of the. other unions on their brilliant record. To annex in one campaign the. championship, the triple crown, and the Calcutta Cup, is the best accomplishment since 1925, when England defeated the three 'home unions, as well as France and the ~Waratahs. “That they have been fortunate is unquestionable. First, they met: a ‘skeleton’ Welsh team compared with, the one that defeated England; then they overcame England by a solitary try after their opponents had played more than half the game with practically thirteen men; and on (Saturday they had their line crossed twice by Ireland, but prevailed by two dropped goals. “In addition, had it not been for an eleventh.-hour motor accident to K. 0. Fyfe, they would have been represented by fifteen men only during the series of games—naturally a tremendous advantage.

A RICH REWARD. “In sjiite of their good fortune, or the trials and . tribulations of their rivals, Scotland have reaped a rich reward as a result of adopting the very same policy of encouraging youthful players of speed and enterprise. They definitely embarked on a policy which should ensure them a long period of success, for, with the exception of their veteran leader, lan Smith, with his 32 ‘caps,’ there is not a member of the team who should not be of service to them for years. “Players such as David Brown, H. D. B. Lorraine, K O. Fyfe, K. L. T. Jackson, W. R. Logan, and Harry Lind, excellently as they 'have played, should make considerable improvement, while the whole of the forwards are so young and enthusiastic that, with added experience, they should develop into one of the best packs of post-war days.

. MENACE TO ALL BLACKS. : ‘ ‘ The future of' Scottish Bugger is ■ bright, and they now possess a combination that should provide a greater menace to the next All Blacks team I than any other country, f ,<( For this reason one hopes that at long last Scotland will hold out the ,-hand of friendship to the New Zealand Union, who, I know, are willing to sink all differences if approached in the right way. But the first advances must come from Scotland.”