LEAGUE FOOTBALLERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 292, 10 December 1925, Page 18

LEAGUE FOOTBALLERS.

NEW ZEALAND TEAM'S TOUR

QUEENSLAND ASSISTANCE.

According to the preliminary arrangements made by a sub-committee of the Rugby League in England, the tour, of the New Zealand team tlirough England during the next season is to be ofliciallv opened on September IS, 1920. Three Test matches are to be played, but fhe programme for the club matches will not be drawn up until May. Meanwhile the clubs are to be circulated in respect to their desire for matches. The council of the League has decided that the headquarters of the team shall be Harrogate or Ilkley, the former centre being preferred.

If private advices which have been received in England from Queensland are correct," says the "Athletic News," '•there is a probability of several of the Queensland players, who greatly impressed by their performances in the Dominion last season, being invited to join the New Zealand party with the object of strengthening the tram. The oflicial opinion here is one of doubt as to the correctness of the information, and that nothing further will be heard of the matter. In any case, the invitation of the Rugby League was to New Zealand for a combination of New Zealand players only." More than likely che information has been based upon the reports which were made during the Queensland team's tour of Xew Zealand last season that some of the leading Queensland players were keen to return to the Dominion, provided that there was sufficient inducement for them to take up residence here for a term. The possibility of -ivell-knov/n Rugby Union players going over to League with a view to gaining places in the League team to visit England was also mentioned, but so far. there lias been no indication of success resulting from the overtures made to the Rugby Union players.

The forthcoming tour, adds the "Ath

letic News," differs in one important essential from any previous colonial visit. The Rugby League has guaranteed their New Zealand visitors apainst financial loss. Presumably each player will receive the same weekly allowance made to English player* visiting Australasia, and this special grant is, according to New Zealand advices, responsible for a keen competition for places in the. team, and a addition to the play in? resources of the New Zealand League clubs.