A CHALLENGE TO RUGBY

Hokitika Guardian, 23 September 1925, Page 1

A CHALLENGE TO RUGBY

AX AUCKLAND VIEW. AUCKLAND. Sept. :M. "Dn what must be considered a.- reliable authority it is stated that there i- a movement on foot which aims at striking a severe blow at the Itiigbv Union in the Dominion, and particularly in Auckland," writes "Actaeon” in 10-nigiit’s ".Star." "it is now recognised that in the League code of football our national pastime, the Rugby In ion game, has a serious rival, well supplied tviili money and, at least in Australia il not yet in the Dominion, prepared to spend that money to further the League game in the hope that some day the game so dear to the hearts of Xew Zealanders, Rugby f'nioti. will be east among the discards and the only rode of .Rugby played will be League. To bring this about is a big undertaking, and one not likely to get much support from the public generally, because to put in the background the sport that has advertised the Dominion the world over more than any other medium v. ill tie little short of a national disaster.

“Just at present touring the l)>miuiim are ti.c C.lneeaslaml League' foot haliers, and the manager of the team. Mr H. Sutherland, makes im secret of tin' fail that lie is her' on propaganda mirk; in fact, he goes further, and ai Mdlingion siainl that he hoped civ long to see the Rugby Union seeking another panic. lie Inis both in Auckland and Wellington expressed a. wish for a limtch between the All Blacks and the Queensland League team, which he knows full well wood not he sanctioned by the New Zealand Union and could not possibly be brought about, unless Rugby Union players could be bought over. H will be a bad day for our national sport if money becomes so powerful that it can deal a blow which the union is minble l*ii ward oil', and if statements made recently be only partly true the time has arrived for the I’ughy Union to lie prepared.

"On reliable authority il is staled that Rugby Union players are being canvassed in the interests of the Longin'! game, and ope of our prominent All Rlncks gave .support in the statement « hell lie staled that lie bail beard there was a movement on fool to get a learn of Rugby Union players to play Ibe Queensland League team at Auckland oil October lit. No doubt sink a match would be welcome lo the League. particularly if Rugby Union ranks worn depleted of some of their best players, but such met hods are hardly likely to meet with general approval. Of course, no definite proof is available that m nemeui mentioned lias been launched, but there are two statements which are bard to get away from, and they are; (I) A statement by a League ollicial that an attempt is being made lo get a icnm ol Rugby Union players to oppose the Queensland team at Carlaw Hark. l‘J) A prominent All Rick loothallcr stales that, he lias had Hie mailer lneniioiicd Io him. not by a League official. bill by a fellow player."