When Scotland A take on the New Zealand Maori this weekend in the Churchill Cup Final it is a rare occasion in the history of Scottish Rugby.There appears to have been only one previous occasion back in 1998 in a"non cap"international at Murrayfield
However if SRU sanction had been given the first clash between the Maori and Scottish opposition could have taken place in 1926.

Seventy-five years ago, a New Zealand Maori side undertook a lengthy and demanding tour of Australia, Ceylon, France, England,Wales and Canada and in so doing, stamped their innovative and exciting style of play on international rugby. The 1926-27 team played 38 matches during the seven-month long journey, winning 29, losing seven and drawing two, scoring 712 points for and conceding 215.

When the 1926-27 Maori tour to England France was underway Glasgow Accies sought to invite them to play them in Glasgow.In a modern context this is hard to believe but Accies at that time were in a strong position having been Scottish Champions for three seasons , beaten Oxford University and Irish Champions Instonians and were described by the London press as"to be easily the best club in the British Isles"
The fourth estate also urged "English rugger enthusiasts to take the trouble to go to Glasgow on Friday evening by sleepers to see Glasgow Academicals who would probably beat and beat easily any London club"

The invite from Accies sent by secretary Willie Dobson was welcomed by the Maori management as the correspondence demonstated. This recognised the strong bond with Scotland as many Maori soldiers had served in the First World War and had been stationed in Scotland and spoke highly of the "scotch hospitality"

The Maori team manager W.J. Parata responded from Falmouth on 22 Novemnber 1926 indicating that they hoped to fit in a match against Accies after the French leg of the tour after playing Pau,Beziers and Toulouse.

To the great disappointment of both Glasgow Accies and the Maori Touring Party the Scottish Rugby Union in its wisdom refused to sanction the match.In his final letter to the Maori management the Accies' secretary stated
"Unfortunately on applying to the S.R.U for sanction,they will not grant the same and this means I am unable to proceed any further in the matter.
I trust you will excuse any inconvenience which I may have caused you and I very much regret that this most interesting match will not take place"

This article was posted on 15-Jun-2006, 18:16 by Hugh Barrow.