REVOLT OF ALL BLACKS

Shannon News, 11 January 1927, Page 3

REVOLT OF ALL BLACKS

NOT A HAPPY FAMILY. IMPERIAL RUGBY CONFERENCE. London, Nov. 18. It has been evident for some time that the affairs of the New Zealand professional Rugby team at present on tour in this country have not been running smoothly. The other week attention was, drawn to mysterious, changes in the side, of three-quar-ters appearing as forAvards, and other men playing out of their positions, and it now appears that seven members of the side have been in open revolt. Happily the trouble has been settled, but only by Mr E. H. Mair, the manager, foregoing his authority as a team selector. Dissension first occurred duing the voyage . to England, when some’ of, the men sang the ‘‘Red Flag.” It is denied, however, that this had any political significance. Further, there were protests against • the rigid discipline imposed, and, as soon as they arrived at Southampton, four of the players wished to return home. On taking up their training quarters at Harrogate, the men found that notices had ueen posted ordering them to be in bed by eleven o’clock. These were angrily torn down, the players feeling that they were being treated as though they Avere children, and finally seven of them declined either to train or to take part in the matches. It is also reported that the men have been at loggerheads amongst themfeelves, Roman Catholics quarrelling Avith Protestants. Another grievance was that Mr Mair Avas an Australian, and that his disciplinary rules Avere foreign to New Zealand football.' So far the tour has been nothing like so successful as was expected, and matters Avere getting Avorse. In these circumstances, the manager agreed not to take any further part in the choice of the team, and the aggrieved players are again in’ training, and ready to play Avhen required. Domiuiou Rugby Conference.

Whilst the Dominion Premiers are in Conference, another meeting, at which the Dominion voice will be broadcast, is to be held. This is the conference on Rugby football, at which the Unions of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are to send delegates, to confer with the representatives of Great Britain and Ireland on the laws and the general welfare of the game. The conference is a concession to Dominion feeling. Direct. representation is claimed on the International Board, and .if the desire at home is to have a universal code of laws, it is difficult to see how, logically, the desire to share in the law-making can be resisted. Moreover, there is no reason why it should be, and it is expected that, at the meeting next week, the demands of the Dominions in this matter will be satisfied. The conference is to be preceded by a meeting of the English Union for the purpose of adopting en bloc the rules of the International Board. This will settle the trouble with Wales, who have ag'reed to take the same course, and drop their new rule In regard to off-side in the scrummage so far as the matches are concerned, in which Welsh clubs play those attached to other unions. Whether it is to remain in force as far as purely Welsh football is concerned has yet to be decided. It has not been rescinded yet. Indeed, it has been retained even for the international trial games, though it will not be in operation in the international matches. This would seem to be a mistake. What is the use of teams playing* under conditions which ■will be different from the real test? In these circumstances, there is a strong demand that the new rule should be I abolished.