support
p. 61 · Read in the full issue
Tasman support
AUSTRAFIA and New Zealand are to further support rugby union in the Pacific islands. This was decided at a joint meeting of Australian and New Zealand Rugby Football Unions held in Sydney in late January.
They agree to liaise closely on coaching, promotion, refereeing and administrative support for rugby na tions in the Pacific islands.
Rugby union administrators are concerned at the inroads being made into the sport by the professional 13-a-side league code. Several top rugby union players have switched to league, joining the wealthy Winfield Cup teams in Australia.
This year’s under-21 international between Australia and New Zealand will be played as a curtain raiser to the test betwen Australia and Western Samoa at the Sydney Football Sta dium on August 6. • Meanwhile, the Western Samoa Rugby Union has decided to hold two of its home games in the Super 10 series this year at Auckland’s Eden Park. The decision was forced upon them after the tournament sponsors the South African Broadscasting Coporation, decided that Apia Park did not meet their minimum specifications. □