RUGBY LEAGUE REPS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 161, 9 July 1926, Page 12

RUGBY LEAGUE REPS.

THE ENGLISH TOUR.

FINAL ARRANGEMENTS DISCUSSED.

TWO MORE MATCHES ARRANGED.

Various matters in connection with the nppro&ching tour to England by the New Zealand Rugby Leag-ue team were discussed at a meeting of the council of the New Zealand Rugby League last evening. M>\ W. D. McLean presided. Farewell Games. A letter was received from the Auckland Rugby League urging that a match Auckland v. New Zealand should be played before the Dominion team leaves for England. Mr. Snedden said that a lot of people would like to see the Sew Zealand team play as a team before they went on tour. The New Zealand council had already amassed £1200 out of the "gates" in the trial games, with a prospect of another £GOO next Saturday. Mr. Touhcy said that Wellington had been starved in regard to trial matches. He considered that an exhibition game between the 2(j chosen players should be put on in Wellington. It would do a lot of good to the League game there. Mr. Millard said that the Auckland League was actuated 75 per cent by the prospective "gate." The time had come to conquer fresh fields, and there was no more promising field than Wellington.' There was a feeling in the South thnt the League began and ended in Auckland. Mr. E. H. Mair considered that matches could be played at both Auckland and Wellington. The only risk was injury to players. Mr. Sterling thought there would be some difficulty assembling the Jvfew Zealand team in Auckland. It was decided to arrange both the proposed games, the match, New Zealand v. Auckland, to take place not later than July 17. Financial Precedent.

The chairman mentioned that the Government had made a grant of £1000 towards the expenses of tdie last tour of England by the New Zealand Rugby Union team. He considered that a precedent had been established, and that the Rugby League had the right to ask for a similar grant. Mr. Stallworthy said that he was against it. The League team should go on its merits. Mr. Snedden said that the Government made the £1000 grant for propaganda purposes, and the bringing home of the New Zealand Rugby Union team via Canada. Mr. R_ W. Pollock said that he would oppose seeking any grant from the Government, as the team was not going on charity. Mr. E. H. Mair said that New Zealand had placed the League game on the map in New Zealand and Australia, and he hoped that they would introduce it into America, Canada, and France. The discussion lapsed. Selection of Team. It was decided the council should meet at Carlaw Park next Sunday morning to receive the names of the chosen players to go on tour. It was further resolved that the players must undergo strict medical examination; that the team shall finally assemble at Wellington on Tuesday, August 3; play an exhibition game at Wellington on Wednesday, August 4; and depart from Wellington on Saturday, August 7. Retiring Players. Mr. Stallworthy said that some of bhe players intended to retire on returning from England, and he suggested that they should be morally bound to continue in the game for twelve months after they get back to New Zealand. Mr. Mair said that some of the elder players had already rendered their service to the game. The matter was referred to the touring committee.