VISIT OF CHAMPIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 221, 18 September 1929, Page 8

VISIT OF CHAMPIONS.

SOUTH SYDNEY LEAGUE TEAM

BRIEF TOUR PROPOSED.

DIFFICULTIES FOR COUNCIL.

MATCHES NORTH OR SOUTH?

The Council of the New Zealand Rugty League has received a cablegram from the South Sydney Club, which on Saturday won the New South Wales premiership for the fifth consecutive season, asking for immediate advices for the asking for immediate advice as to the staging of three matches in Auckland as early as possible. The New Zealand authorities are somewhat in a quandary in this matter owing to the lateness of the season. Apparently South Sydney were unable to definitely decide upon the trip to Aew Zealand until the championship issuo was settled. Had some tentative suggestions arrived earlier, dates probably could have been pencilled here for the last Saturday this month and the first week in October. As it is, the only dates available are on October 12 and 19, the former interfering with a fixture but not entirely preventing a suitable re-arrangement. Otago's Suggestion. In conjunction with the lateness is the fact that the suggestion of the visit came from the Otago League, which mentioned it as an alternative to the fact that Sydney University had found it necessary to defer its visit to the Dominion until next year. South Sydney, it is believed, cannot make the trip a national tour, and the League, while not wishing to lose the opportunity to see the Australian champion team in action here, is faced with the necessity of staging the fixtures in the North, unless other arrangements can be made to extend the visit. It seems fairly obvious, also, that South Sydney, who have specified a very reasonable guarantee to cover a visit to Auckland and back, may not # wish, owing to the limited time at their disposal, to go South. That would only be possible if they went via Wellington and back. This would mean a-match with a Christehurcli club, a Dunedin club ana a West Coast team; or, perhaps, a, match against South Island. The council may take into consideration the South Island's recent success here on this point, or in its place substitute a special fixture between a North Island team at either Christchurch or Dunedin against the visitors. This, at least, would give the visit a national flavour. Question of Grounds. Another difficulty is grounds. Monica Park, the League's area in Canterbury, is now in the course of improvement, and it may be impossible to use it or get another ground in view of the use for cricket grounds there and at the Caledonian ground in Dunedin". In order to allow New Zealand people to see the Australian champions in action, it is thought that something may be arranged to overcome present obstacles. As the invitation originated from the South, the New Zealand Council will do its best, in the interests of the game, to give Southern patrons, players and the general public any possible preference, especially as no Northern teams have toured South this season. However, many details will be discussed before a final and prompt decision is reached. If it is inevitable that the fixtures must take place in Auckland, the games probably will be against Auckland Province, Auckland and the champion club team.