N.Z. LEAGUE TEAM.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 230, 28 September 1926, Page 11

N.Z. LEAGUE TEAM.

THE TREK TO ENGLAND.

SOME TRAVEL EPISODES

SPIRIT OF THE PLAYERS

-v E. H. MAIR, COACH AND TEAM

MANAGER.)

MONTREAL, Canada, August 25,

*t is just three weeks yesterday since . \v,v Zealand Rugby League All • . left for England from Auckland ;;. Aorangi. What a contrast ■iic to the Motherland via Canada : "via Panama. In this respect ''] Blacks are a very fortunate ;.:on. for to have gone Panama is originally arranged, would ive been as interesting, educa- ■ ■!. and convenient as going this

,;;•,. Tiie players have had the opportiipitv of seeing Suva, Honolulu, VieIvY Vancouver, Winnipeg and Montr -nl.' In addition to the scenic and ~ {rational value to the players in visitin" these places, the breaks in the long iournev have, from a football standpoint ' been invaluable to them also. No matter how well a team is organised, their every comfort arranged for, long iournevs on boats are not as helpful to the many peculiarities m h'iman nature as' that of a way where there are many breaks. This was plainly after the players would board the ship or the train after having felt real earth Cominz this way was a necessity from the point of view of the English Ru"bv League. When tbe Tainui, cue to Mve Wellington on August 7, wa" further delayed to the 14th. it was Zfte • evident that the thirty-nine aavs* journey via Panama would not only seriously affect their itinerary but would also prevent the Xew Zealanders from having even a day's practice before their first match. As a result tbe English League dispatched a cable to come fi way, which entails only 28 dag, a savins of eleven over the other way. Thi* from a financial aspect, hit the New Zealmd Rugby League Council very hard for it meant an additional expens ß of well over £1000. Joe Menzles nas been unanimously appointed pianist for the team, and even n P to the present stage has played a very hi" part in bringing the best out of the players in the many sing-songs held on the Aorangi. The team will never forget the magnificent send-off accorded them from the wharf at Auckland They have never ceased talking about it, and feel confident that a better cheerio has not been given to a previous departing New Zealand side. Incidents of the Journey. The skipper of the Aorangi, Captain Showman, who was relieving Captain Crawford, spells kindness with a capital K. He extended comforts to the team that we will always remember. The use of the top deck and the appliances in the Aorangi's up-to-date gymnasium were placed at our disposal, the hoys taking full advantages .of the privileges. The bosun made a rubbing down table and trestles, which enabled tbe boys to' be massaged. A separate room was also provided for this purpose. In fact, every member of the Aorangi's staff, from'the captain downwards, did everything in his power, from Auckland to Vancouver, to make us" feel right at home. The boys were so pleased with their treatment that every available photo of the team was autographed by the boys and presented to them. Ashore at Suva. Realising that one hour on land is more beneficial than six or so on board ship, I was naturally anxious to secure all the ground practice for the team on the way over. Suva was cabled, and the Mayor handed the cable over to the football people, who not only granted lis the use of their beautiful (but hard) level ground, but requested that we include four of their players "in the exhibition game we intended staging. This fitted in nicely as four of our players were not quite up to concert pitch, and their four players filled the breaches. They promised to secure a half holiday for the two schools there if we delayed our practice until the afternoon, which we did. The biggest, crowd to date at a football match was the result. The four Fiji players showed exceptional form, and two of them, were they playing in Auckland, would cause the selectors worry when choosing an Auckland thirteen.

Jack Kirwan in tnls practice had the bad luck to lose some "bark" from his wrist and elbow, and it is .now just beginning to heal, despite daily treatment. He will be O.K. by -the time we hit England. Walter Desmond was one of the absentees at Suva, the long scratch received on the goal posts at AucKiand* going back on him. This wound required constant attention, and it has now healed. Tuck. Herring and "Pope" Gregory were the only two in the whole party to feel the effect of the ■voyage, which caused them to be absentees from the practice game 'at Suva.

The chief items of interest to the boys were bunches of bananas (14doz) for 1/6, pineapples 1/ dozen, pawpaw apples 1/ dozen, that could be secured just outside .the town, natives carrying 1801b bags of copra continuously, opening salmon tins with their teeth, the native police (sports, too, as Fonz. Carrol's souvenir policeman's cane proves), physique and hair of the Fijian, mixed population, etc.

Great Time at Hawaii. As I was personally acquainted with Honolulu's leading officials and athletes the opportunity was availed of to secure a ground to have another practice. It was my pleasure to swim against Honolulu's- champions, when they held the world's honours during their various "visits to Australia. How they reciprocated! It was unanimously voted by the boys to be the greatest day they had ever had. After they had decorated us with their wreaths of flowers, which must always be worn during one's stay; they rushed us through a hurriedlyarranged, but wonderful programme. J-ne sights of the island were quickly raotored over, then a real Hawaiian lunch of nine courses, a trip to their splendid aquarium, and then last, but not .least, practice at riding the surf on their famous Waikiki Beach in canoes and surf boards. Pau Kealona and Sam •Kananomoku, two of the world's famous swimmers, put in the afternoon in giving instruction. Every one. had a heavy heart when the gangway of the Aorangi went up. .Should we come back this way games at Suva and Honululu can be arranged. x i? c colle ge ground at Honolulu was a trifle softer than the ground at Suva for

the boys, but both ar"e ideal for games should we play at these places. The trip from Auckland to Vancouver was very calm, quite unexpected for a 6000----mile journey. The only fly in the ointment was the heat between Suva and Honolulu. Fortunately a nice breeze blew, otherwise there would have been many "cot cases." Canadian Courtesy. The Aorangi arrived at Victoria late in the afternoon of August 19, arriving at Vancouver the next morning. The Canadian National Railway officials boarded the Aorangi at Victoria, and apart from finalising everything for us, kindly arranged a ground for us to practise on in Vancouver during the afternoon. It was the best ground of the three used, and it was the same oval that the Union All Blacks used on their last visit to Vancouver. Arrangements were made here for a game should we be returning this way, and the same at Victoria Edmonton, Saskatoon, Calgary and possibly Montreal. The members were the guests of the Vancouver Lacrosse Association to their provincial semi-final game, which finished at 7.30 in the evening. How would New Zealanders like to have the opportunity of playing their games daily with safety from 5.30 p.m. until 8 and 8.30 p.m., as is the case at Vancouver? The boys gave the haka to the large concourse of fans, and they showed their appreciation in no uncertain manner. Everywhere the All Blacks have been met with open arms,'and they have created a wonderful impression with all they have come in contact with. Even on the boat, apart from scooping the prizes in most of the events, taking their part in the concerts, fancy dress ball, etc., they were the life of anything that was doing. Whilst in Vancouver, the Canadian National Railway officials left no. stone unturned to make us feel at home, and when the 600-ton engine whisked our lpng train out of Vancouver station, there were several sad hearts in the party.

Across the Continent. The only drawback to this long, but' very interesting and educational trip across Canada is the.lack of opportunity to continue the exercises practised on the Aorangi. Not that there was no walking to do, for to go to lunch from your carriage was long enough, and the boys had plenty of walking during our trip across. The team certainly miss its exercise in physical • culture, scrum practice, etc., done daily on board ship from Auckland to Vancouver. The accommodation on board the Canadian National Railways leaves nothing to be desired. Their method of sleeper is different from that of Auckland and New Zealand, the passenger always lying with his head towards the engine. This is helpful in rest in every way, and gives him a chance of viewing vie scenery should he wish. The system of each person paying according to his appetite was very strange to the boys at first, but the attention, quality of food, service, etc., is very striking. The C.N.R. people placed a representative at our disposal, and this Mr. Wright has certainly been the right man in the right place. On arrival at Winnipeg we were shown over the city, which was one of the old forts of note in the early Indian days. At Edmonton the officials met us on arrival, and did the honours. A further demonstration was made at Sasketoon, where we were welcomed by the Mayor. We arrive in Montreal in half-an-hour's time, which gives us an hour and a-half to get all our baggage across and join the Minnedosa, which leaves at 10 this morning (August 25). Patting on Weight. The journey across Canada, with no practice, good food, nippy atmosphere, has caused the weight of several players to increase, but hard work for the next six days on the Minnedosa will offset i that. Wilson Hall's shin has gone back or. him again, but by the time we reach England I feel sure he will be available 1 for the match at Dewsbury. The selectors realise the great call on the players in such a big tour, and are concentrating on the first five matches and the Tests. In all probability their first selection, against Dewsbury, will be: Dufty, full; Delgrosso and Desmond wingers, Davidson centre; Sanders and Cole, five-eighths;-Hall, half; Henry, Carroll, Herring, Singe, Mouatt, and Avery, forwards. The boys are confident; they are realising the big hurdles in front of them, and intend tackling their job in the right way. Long before this reaches New Zealand the first matches will have been played. New Zealand League fans will be eagerly l scanning the cables for the results. To win against Dewsbury means a lot to lis all. New Zealanders can rest assured that we will all do our best to keep the Dominion's colours flying, that we shall all act off as well as on the field in a manner that will reflect credit on God's Own Country, and that we shall be just as modest in victory as we shall be congratulatory to our opponents in defeat should the fates decree that way.