COWING HOME.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 43, 21 February 1927, Page 10

COWING HOME.

RUGBY LEAGUE TEAM. Gfcßlß OF A TRAGIC TOtfß FATAL SPLIT CI THE RANKS. "I want to get the first train home without waiting for either the band to piay or a civic reception," states one of the Auckland members of the New Zealand Rugby League team in a letter written just on the eve of the departure of the tourists from England, and he adds that he is not the only one of that ill-starred combination who is looking forward io the prospective sight of old hr.iißitotoloofii.ng up oh the port bow of the Sydney boat. The Auckiahder considers that had all gone well on the toilf the New Zealahders would have Won the majority of the matches that were played, and would have had a chance of success in the test games. As it was the split in the ranks destroyed the morale of the team, too great a strain was thrown oh depleted playing resources, and the result from the playing viewpoint was only what could be expected. Blander By Selectors. In a run of eight hard matches there were but 17 players to draw upon, as in addition to the tourists who decided not to play football, several were on the injured list. '"Had it not b?en for the fact that Bert Avery was skipper, the Aucklanders would have come home long ago," adds the writer. He states that apart from the schism, the New Zealand selectors made a grievious blunder in sending the team away without hookers, seeing that there were several players of merit offering. ''We were never side to get possession of the ball from the scrums more than once in four times," he add;, and although the backs played rju'te brilliantly and showed good combination, it could not make up for the great weakness forward. Parkes, chosen as a back, was the best hooker tried, and he was an invaluable man to have on a side. Players Who Impressed. The writer says that the star of the back division was undoubtedly B. Davidson, who captured the fancy of the North of England crowds with his great pace, straight running, and unfailing unselfishness in catering for the players supporting him. Brown was acclaimed as the fastest wing three-quarter in the game, and the writer's regret is that Wetherill was not there for the inside position, and the finesse necessary to launch scoring movements. He says that Dufty and Gregory played the full back role satisfactorily, "while the greatest forward was Avery, who throughout tour played magnificently, and revealed a skill far in excess of any other League forward that they met. The Aucklander mentions that a New Zealander who showed up became a marked man, and in match after match had to face the fiercest of tackling. A Bad Business. In conclusion the writer says: It was nothing short of a tragedy that some players should allow private grievances to dominate iheir actions. It has been a bad business, and will not help the game. But what of the players who loyally stood up to it, and saw the tragic tour through, often taking the field in a more or less injured state. The New Zealand Rngby League has a duty. What is it going to do?