 The tour had a relevance for American rugby because it came at a time when the local code, American football, was widely criticized prompted by worries over violent play, serious injuries and evidence of sharp practice by college coaches.That dispute, originated in 1906, had led some colleges (such as Stanford and California, Berkeley Universities) to switch from football to rugby.The "All Blacks" (which had toured in North America for the first time in 1905) had already made their contribution to the spread of the sport in the west coast.