N.Z. LEAGUE TEAM.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 8, 11 January 1927, Page 10

N.Z. LEAGUE TEAM.

STORY OF PLAYERS' REVOLT,

TROUBLE STARTS EARLY.

The Rugby League Council will think twice before they invite another New Zealand team over, for they have been caused many anxious momeilts. The internal trouble has teen such among a certain section of the team that it looked as if the tour would have to come to an abrupt ending. If the last grievance had not been amicably settled, the whole team would now have been making ready to proceed home. Members of the council have given me the full story, and it is an extraordinary one, says a writer in "All Sports Weekly" of November 20. The troubie actually started when the team was coming over from the Dominion, and, had the ruling council who met the party at Southampton not intervened, Mr. E. H. Mair would then have sent some of the players back. The peace was short-lived, a number of the tourists strongly objecting to the disciplinary measures of their manager; but for a second time the council brought about harmony.

When the players got to headquarters again at Harrogate, there was open revolt, and seven players actually refused to either train or play. They were all forwards, and, as a consequence, threequarter backs had to be brought in as serummagers.

The position became such that the New Zealand League were told the full story, and they cabled to Mr. E. Osborne, the chairman, to act as intermediary.

He took Mr. John Wilson, the secretary, with him to Harrogate, and there was some straight talking. Fortunately a complete agreement has been arrived at, and there is now a chance of the team going through to the middle of January. It has, however, meant a change in the management of the team.

Mr. Mair, the team manager and coach, has relinquished control of the team for one month, and even then it is questionable whether he will resume his duties. The Rugby Council, who are financing the tour, have intimated to Mr. Mair that at the end of a month they will review the position.

Meanwhile, the financial manager, Mr. Ponder, the captain, H. Avery, and the vice-captain, N. Mouat, are acting as the selection committee, and better results are now expected. It is unfortunate there have been thesfe interna! troubles, for they have done the team a lot of harm. The gates of late have been very smalL Still there is time to make good and make the tour into u financial success. The trouble has maue the council ponder over the London and Paris matches. From reports whicii 1 have received, I doubt very much whe ther they will materialise.