HOME AGAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 50, 1 March 1927, Page 10

HOME AGAIN.

MAORI TEAM RETURNS. A SUCCESSFUL TOUR. GOOD rLAYIXG RECORD. "We have learned nothing, but we have had a very pleasant tour," said Mr. H. F. Harris, one of the managers of the Maori Rugby team, which returned to Auckland by the Tahiti this morning, after an extensive tour, which included matches in France, Britain and Canada. Altogether, including the four games in Canada, 3S matches were played, 20 being won, seven lost and two drawn. Mr. Harris said the trouble in England was that players did not take Rugby football seriously; they did not train, and the result was tlaat a high standard of combination was not reached. The Maori team did well from a playing viewpoint, although it was recognised that it would have been a greater combination had players of the calibre of Mill and T'aewae been able to make the trip. Right through the tour was a weakness near the base of the scrum, the necessary speed, thrust and initiative not being disclosed to launch attacks in the approved New Zealand fashion. Player Who Starred. "Robinson," declared Mr. Harris emphatically, when asked who was the most improved player on the Xew Zealand side. He added that the burly 14-stoue youth from Little River, who was originally chosen as a back, had developed into a champion forward, and should be a tower of strength to Canterbury football for years to come. Mr. Harris added that nearly all the team had played up to form. Phillips had served the team so well at full-back that Nepia could not have been an improvement. Proceeding, Mr. Harris said that in English Rugby,- veterans like Yoyee, jEdwards, and Wakefield were still amongst , the best players, although a new player, Sellars, a Navy man, had been discovered for full-back. Besson, Jarreguy and De Manion were three 'French ba,cks who would be worth a place in any team in the world. The Game in France. 'Mr. Harris had a good deal to say about football in France, and lie was not altogether hopeful about the future. "Their play.is spectacular, but unsound," said Mr. Harris, "and they do not understand the finer points of the play. The French spectators don't understand too much about it either, and they are always ready to 'take' to the unfortunate referee. The French standard of play is not up to the best international plane, and if they ever come to New Zealand our provincial sides should beat them. Right through the tour the refereeing was poor, off-side play was allowed and players were allowed to battle along after they were collared." Referring to the International Board Mr. Harris- said that the feeling was growing that the Dominions should have direct representation, and personally, he was hopeful that a British team would tour New Zealand during the next few seasons. At present the French feeling against the English Rugby Union was bitter, an aftermath of the New Zealand tour of 1924, when the English body, after reaping a profit of £40,000, or thereabouts, demanded £2500, and eventually accented £ISOO for two games in Paris, the French Rugby Federation in addition having to pay all the expenses of the games. Not Their Kingi. Ray Bell, an Invercargill member of the team, and possibly the most intelligent five-eighth seen in New Zealand post-war football, said that the tour had been "a trip of a life-time." He intends to play just one more season and then retire. Bell had just received a telegram that a club-mato in Invercargill, F. Kilby, had been transferred to Wellington, and he was anxious to get home in time for a function that has been arranged. Recently it was reported in the English papers that a plaj-er named Kingi had assisted the Rugby League touring team in one game. "Not our Kingi," said members of the Maori team emphatically. Kingi, the Wanganui rep. half-back was also there to confirm the statement. Various playing members of the team averred that Paris was the most attractive place they visited, where piquant mademoiselles took hte friendliest interest in the tour of the New Zealanders. Some of the team visited the northern parts of France—places that they were familiar with in the stern davs of war.