RUGBY FOOTBALL

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 464, 23 February 1933, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

AUSTRALIAN ITINERARY FOR COMING SEASON. TWENTY-THREE MATCHES. The next important tour in the Rugby football world is that to be undertaken shortly by Australia's representatives, who are to leave in April for South Africa. Arrangements in connection with this, tour provide for the playing of five Tests, one more than was included in the New Zealand team's engagements in South Africa. Following the last Australian team's experiences in New Zealand, when there was much travelling before the first match with scarcely a chance for the team to engage in satisfactory preliminary training, the Australian Rugby authorities made a request of the South African Board that ten clear days be qllowed hefore the playing of the first match in South Africa. Evidently this request could not be met, although the tourists will h-ave eight days in which' to prepare for th'e first match, which will be against Natal. It was dntended that there should be seven

free days before each Test, and this is provided for except in the case of the Third Test, which is to be played five days after another engagement. As was the casd with the 1928 New Zealand team, the Australians will have much travelling in South Africa. All told, there will be 23 matches. Five Tests Listed. The itinerary has been mapped out as follows: — May 26. — Arrive Durban ex Ulysses. June 3. — v. Natal, at Durban. June 7. — v. Western Transvaal, at Potchefstroom. June 10. — v. Transvaal combination (probably iRand Club), at Johannesburg. June 14. — v. Northern Transvaal, at Pretoria. June 17. — v. Griqualand West, at Kimberley. June 20". — v. iRhodesia, at Salisbury. June 24. — v. Rhodesia, at Bulawayo. June 28. — Griqualand, at Kimberley. July 1. — v. Western Pi'ovince (probably Country Clubs), at Cape Town. July 8. — v. South Africa (First Test), at Cape Town. July 12. — v. North-Easterns, at Burghersdorp. July 15. — v. Orange Free State, at Bloemfontein. July 22. — v. South Africa (Second Test), at Durban. July 29. — v. Border, at East London. August 2. — v. Border, at Queenstown. August 7. — v. Transvaal, at Johannesburg. August 12. — v. South Africa (Third . Test) at Johannesburg. August -16.— v. South-Westerns, at Oudtshoorn. August 19. — v. Eastern Province, at Port Elizabeth. August 26. — v. South Africa (Fourth Test), at Port Elizabeth. Sept. 2. — v. South Africa (Fifth Test) at Bloemfontein. Sept. G. — v. Western Province Town Team, at Cape Town. Sept. 8. — v. Western Province, ab Cape Town. Sept. 11. — Leave Cape Town .. hy Ceramic. The selection of the Australian touring team was made some time ago, but the appointment of a manager was deferred, applioations to be received in the meantime^ Latest advice from Australia is to the effect that all but three of the selected players have intimated that they are able to undertake the tour. Of those who have not notified their position, one k Dr. A. W. Ross, but it oan be taken for granted that as he has been appointed captain of the team he is not likely to drop out. The other two whose acceptance of places in the team, is awaited are" Queenslanders — W. G. White and Donnelly,