TRIUMPHANT SUCCESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 202, 27 August 1928, Page 5

TRIUMPHANT SUCCESS.

ENGLISH LEAGUE TOUR.

TWO RUBBERS WON

MISSIONARY WORK IN DO-MINION

.STANDARD OF PLAY IMPRESSES.

| Smiling broadly, and very pleased with themselves the members of the English Rugby League team returned to Auckland this morning after a success- ! ful tuin - of the Dominion, which included the winning of the rubber in the { final Te.-t match jilayed at (Jhnstchureh |on Saturday, an epic struggle, which was grim, dour and unyielding, and alien jail attraction that thousands of people j were unable to get into tlie ground. Quite candidly the Englishmen say that their romp through New Zealand was a bit hasty and tiring, but they have seen a lot, including some good football by worthy opponents, the eter- | ual snow of the Southern Alps, and, at j Blntl". the most southerly gas lamp in ; the world. | "Financially it i Las been the most successful tour ever made by an kluglish Rugby League'team," said Mr. ]•'. L. Hutehins, one of the managers of the team. "Before we left Lngland we knew that the ton r would i: o St US about £12,000. lull; when the last match was played in Australia we 'had made £iOOO clear profit, the New Zealand tour has paid its way, and after two matches are played in Canada on the way back there should be record figures to show. _Mr. Hutehins said that the "gates" in New Zealand were as follow:—.Match at Taupiri, £1.->0 : first Test in Auckland, £1900; Auckland Province. £400; Auckland. £K;II0: (oeymoufh. £2o0; Buller, £220; second Tot match (at Dunedin). £000: Invercargill. £400; third Test at (.'hri-tchurch. £HM>. The team had had splendid receptions everywhere, and the. missionary work accomplished would be invaluable if it were followed up. Naturally Mr. Hutehins. had something to say about the second Test game, played at Dunedin. "Quite candidly 1 must say that the refereeing was weak, and there were some incidents which should not. have occurred. But the Dunedin Press work was both inspired by partisan-hip for another code, and lamentable. The game did not merit the scathing criticism which was telegraphed all over New Zealand." Higher Standard. Mr. Hutehins said that they had been impressed both by the support of the League game in New Zealand and the general improvement in the playing standard of their opponents, a much higher standard than they had been led to believe in Australia. The real playing requirement in New Zealand wic more concentration on physical fitness and development in the direction of open play, instead of concentrating on defence. hi referring to New Zealand players, Mr. Hutehins said that the tourists had been greatly impressed with the skill of some of their opponents. They regarded Dufty as a. champion full-back, a player who would be even greater were lie to be subjected to the iron training that the English players have to go through at Home. Hardgrave had' impressed with his great pace and clean swerve, and Peckham by his trickinesb and quick burst from the base of the scrum. Somers had proved himself to be the cleverest hooker that the tourists had seen outside of England, and Hutt and James O'Brien were fit for any League team in the world. Apart from the bitter partisanship displayed by Rugby Union supporters on the Dunedin newspapers, Mr. Hutehins had nothing but praise for the fairness of the New Zealand Press. He considered that Auckland had one of the greatest sporting publics in the world. "There was one thing that greatly impressed us in the match against Auckland Province," said Mr. Hutehins. "Gwynne got a try at the corner, and right from the touchline Gowers kicked a truly magnificent goal. The whole crowd rose and gave Gowers a great ovation. That is true sportsmanship. and T lake my hat off to the Auckland spectators."'

Generous Receptions in South. 'Our week of travelling and three matches, Tuesday and Wednesday (on (lip West Coast), and second Test at Dunedin. constituted a strenuous programme." said Mr. E. Osborne, manager of the English team. "It was expecting a Lit too much for the fittest of men. Despite the rush we wore amazed with the beauty of the Buller and Otira "urges. Our arrival on the Coast was hailed with great enthusiasm, which record attendances proved. It was the !ir>t time an English team has visited Westport. Dunedin also showered us with wonderful hospitality, and I don't think it is necessary to allude to other obvious exaggerations. Otago people who attended and spoke to me were most appreciative. "One of the memorable features of our tour was the trip to Southland, where the exhibition match against New Zealand aroused astonishing public interest, attested by the manner in which we were received uul by the uiuisua! in id-week attendance. Prominent Jnyercargill citizen-; informed me that the code was well worth while fostering and that they would be glad to assist in the formation of a strong league down there. .Judging by the applause, they will have little dilliculty in getting good support." Mr. Osborne referred to the fine A. and I'. Association's ground played on and to the splendid organisation of the reception by the Southland Progress League and other local bodies. There were trips to country towns which were thoroughly enjoyed. "We were also delighted with the way we were received in Christchurch and our warmest thanks are due to Canterbury people and particularly the Soccer authorities, who, in common with their attitude throughout New Zealand, have shown good sportsmanship. English Park at Christchurch on Saturday was a. sight to see with its huge crowd, but while that ground is suflicient for club matches I am afraid it is not large enough for staging big international Rugby matches. However, it was the scene of a wonderfully dose game, which thrilled spectators throughout."

■ Mr. Osborne referred to the active interest in the League game displayed by ~NIr. Harry Divers, of Dunedin, unci Dr. Thacker, of Christchurch. The latter presented .Messrs. Osborne aml Hutchins, for their respective wives, beautiful greenstone hearts, inscribed in gold, with a kiwi. Not One Wet-day Game. " A remarkable feature of our visk. ; ' said .Mr. Osborne, "has been that 'u> have not had a wet day for any of <r;t: games in this Dominion, and I think :l is a great tribute to your climaie. It. Australia we played sixteen m.U'.'hvs. winning eleven. losing four, and druwi.t'? one. That includes success in two 0111 of three Tests. In New Zealand we have won seven games, lost two, and al-o won the "rubber." As far as 1 kn u\ this is the lirst Knglish team which iiawon the Allies in both of these countries on a tour. "From a placing standpoint. «oiUi. and educational a-poets thi- vi-.it has proved a -ueee-.s that is a compliment to the development of the code. Pubiksupport has proved this. The I'JJS British team has a record that will > e hard to beat — harder because Australia and New Zealand are growing veiy strong in League football. There has not been the slightest dissension amongst our team since we left Home. I would like to pay a tribute to the spectators and Pres-. Although we were a little disappointed with bias shown in one centre in the South, the papers generally have more than compensated for this except ion."' On the way back from ChrMehurch the members of the Fngli-h and New Zealand teams paid a vi>it to the grave of A. 11. Baskervilie. at Wellington, and laid a wreath upon ii. It wa*"a touching tribute to the memorv of the- man who put the League game on the map. as tar as New Zealand i< concerned, and gave the code the great Imperial aspect which it now lias.