FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 29 March 1922, Page 1

FOOTBALL

("by TELEGRAPH—PEE PREBB ASSOCIATION] THE FRENCH TOUR NEW PLYMOUTH, March 27. Referring to the cable message amnounejing the cancellation pf the French team’s tour, Mr McLeod president of the New Zealand Rugby;Union, states that the difficulty arises' through the time allotted to the team being limited by . the amount of leave they can get from the army. Apparently it was necessary that their departure from New Zealand would have to bo made by the middle of August, but the sailing dates in that month were unsuitable, the nearest departure of a steamer being about three weeks too early, consequently the numlier of matches would have had to be cut down, which would reduce

receipts The tour would cost a big amount, and it .would be ridiculous to undertake it facing financial loss, though it was regrettable that the visit could not take place. DUNEDIN, March 27.

At it meeting of the Otago Rugby •Union, held to-night, the following motion Jwas unanimously oarjried: “That this committee being of opinion that it will be a great disappointment to the public of this Dominion if the visit of the French team Hoes not eventuate, the Management Committee pf the New Zealand Union be urged ,to spare no effort to ensure the visit of the team to New Zealaii during the coming Reason. The Otago Union suggests that a minimum of ten matches be played, if necessary.”

FRENCH RUGBY TEAM’S TROUBLE PARIS, March 27. The, Australian Press Association learns authoritatively that the reason for the cancellation of the French Rugby tour is solely that the absence of the best players would interfere with the. success of the French championships, which begin in October, and continue til! May. It ivas thought that their return in September would lie possible, but the French Rugby Federation has just learnt from the New Zealand Rugby Union that the earliest date for the return was the loth of October. Tliie Federation therefore decided against the tour. Some of the best judges have been against the tour, on the ground that the French footballers, though they have made remarkable progress since the war, have not yet reached a sufficiently high standard to meet the Australians and New Zealanders, and that they must have suffered a crushing defeat. Others considered that a stern series of matches, which the tour would certainly have provided, would have been the finest, if a severe, lesson for the French Rugby players. These considerations, how-fever, did not enter into the Federation’s decision.

.CANTERBURY RUGBY UNION. CHRISTCHURCH, March 28 At a meeting of the Canterbury Rugby Union it was resolved that pn the All New Zealand Selection Committees, both islands should have equal representation. It was also resolved that Canterbury Union is of opinion that the New Zealand union should use its best endeavours to induce the French team to visit the Dominion this season, even if a fewer number of matches were played. WELLINGTON, March 28 Tlie annual report of the Wellington Rugby Union states that C 1932 was received in gate money in connection with local matches such as New South AVales v. Wellington £725, South Africans v. Wellington £453, and South Africans v. New Zealand £555, made the total receipts £6544.

DELEGATION FROM AUSTRALIA. SA T DNEY, March 28. The Rugby League has appointed a delegation to visit New Zealand with a view to inquiring into the whole question of New Zealand football and making final arrangements for the vipit of a Maori team to New South Walps during the coming season.