The San Francisco call., 1910-03-20
GREAT CHANCE FOR
STAR RUGBY MEN
usfraIia's Invitation Means
California Will Send Cream
of COuntry's Players
By WILLIAM UNMACK

Considerable excitement was caused
in Rugby circles during the week by
the receipt OF a cablegram from Aus
tralia to the effect that the New South
Wales Rugby Union had decided to
invite a combined American university
team to Australia this year. This to a
certain extent confirms the news an
nounced in The Can in October of last
year that Australia was seriously con-
sidering the possibility of an American
team touring that country this year.
The writer knew definitely at that time
that such an invitation would be forth
coming. but for various reasons was
unable to state the fact. and even
at this writing I am sure the con-
tents of this weeks cablegram have
come over the wires incorrectly. Either
that or the Australians have had to
change their plans at the very last
minute.
This week l received a letter from
very high official Of the New South
Wales union to the effect that negotia-
tions were almost complete for a visit
from q South African team and that in
1911 we viii without doubt invite
America. TO send a team over.
II the cablegram received during the
week is correct. and II may be that il
IS. then the South African team has
been unable to get its strongest side
together for the tour.
The New South Wales union holds its
annual general meeting either in March
or not later than the first week in
April The cable might be the result
Of the unions deliberations at the an
nusl meeting last Monday night
Now that il is definitely known that a
team from here is TO visit Australia
either this year or in 1911 il might be
interesting 10 know that 20 players
viii make the trip. composed Of nine
backs and II forwards. Who the ac-
tual men will be remains TO be seen,
but among the 20 viii be representa-
tives Of California, Stanford and Ne
vada universities and the Barbarian
club. and there are TO be one or two
men of the olympic club who VIII also
he seriously considered 4 combined
team selected from these hfteens viii
be the means OF showing our Austria liam
cousins just what giant strides the
game has made here in four short
seasons
II the team goes out this year there
OF an all England professional team.
wlich leaves England next month TO
tour Australia. playing the professional
leagues there. Amateurism. however,
is strong in Australasia. and particu
larlT ia regard to Rugby football pub
lie opinion is for amateurism. The
professional element has only cropped
up within the last three years there,
but il gaining ground every day.
Elef for al
finally selected they viii have to sat
isfy every one concerned, and particu-
larlY the New s. Wales Rugby
union. that they al, lilly white anna
teurs." This win all be attended to
through The proper channels when the
arrangements are under way for the
dispatching of the team.
If thorough amateur team makes
the trip and the men make good from
the start % their tour there is not the
least doubt that the American team viii
be far greater drawing card than the
English professional team.
The men who are lucky enough to he
selected have before them a trip that
they can not realize. The members will
be feted and banqueted and lionized
from the minute they land on Aus
ira Han soil.
California Rugby has two stanch sup
porters in Australia in Billy Howe who
last year acted as assistant coach at
California university. and J. Mcmahon.
who. il viii be remembered. was the
manager Of the Wallabies during their
stay in this city after completing tour
Of the globe. To these two men can be
attributed the invitation of the Aus
tralian Union to the American team.
Howe's report on Rugby here has no
doubt cinched the matter. and in Nc
Nahon he has an ardent second for
the welfare Of the game in this coun-
try.
The splendid manner in which the
Wallabies were received by the public
here has also had considerable to do
with the very friendly relations that
the New South Wales union holds for
America and California in particular.