Average time

"From this it can be seen that the average time a player at Otago is a student is much longer than that of the player at a university like Victoria. It is also an acknowledged fact that Otago and Lincoln (which has similar elegibility rules to Otago) do experience administrative problems.

"I do feel, however, that as the University continues to grow, there will develop a trend towards more restrictive membership in the rugby club and that when the time is right, this will be a desirable thing. But I do not think that, as yet, the time is right."

It is not only in rugby that sportsmen masquerade as students. There are a number of sports clubs at Victoria that allow non-studying graduates to participate in their competitive activities. Even the Students Association, which refutes charges that it is a sporting body, will allow persons not engaged in studies at Victoria to become members on payment of the necessary fee. Perhaps, therefore, the reform should start at the top.