Fiji Rugby Badly Treated
p. 31 · Read in the full issue
By N. Zealand
SUVA, March 30.
JJURPRISE and disappointment, 5 with some bitterness, made up the reaction of Fijian Rugby •layers and their supporters (the atter including many Europeans) it the cavalier treatment by the *ew Zealand Rugby Union of a equest by the Fiji Union for a isit by a Maori team this year.
The New Zealand Union has emporarily pigeon-holed the re uest, with a reference to its pre ccupation with overseas commit lents, including a New Zealand Lll Blacks’ tour of Great Britain cheduled late this year.
Fijian Rugby is to a large extent n individualistic offshoot of New iealand Rugby, which has hitherto aken great pride in the growth and access of its protege. Now Rugby ircles in Fiji are affronted and ngry.
It is pointed out that a Maori isit could be over and done with mg before the Dominion selectors lave to start worrying about the ill Blacks, that the last NZ team o come to Fiji was here in 1948, nd since then Fijian teams have cured New Zealand and Australia.
It is important that younger r ijians should be given a chance o study football of the highest tandard, to compensate for the omparative lack of solid coaching /hich is one of the main Rugby lifficulties in Fiji.