"KIWIS" ABROAD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 161, 10 July 1930, Page 24

"KIWIS" ABROAD.

NEW ZEALAND LEAGUE TEAM. FINE TRIP TO SYDNEY. HEARTY WELCOME ON LANDING. (By ERIC BENNETTS, Specia 1 Correspondent with the Team.) SYDNEY, July 1. To the uninitiated, the trip across the Tasman Sea to Australia is something of a wrench from the normal run of life. With but five or six exceptions the New Zealand, Rugby League team left Wellington by the Ulimaroa on Friday, June 27, had had no experience of ocean travel; it was their first venture and therefore one full of uncertainty, for King Mal-de-mer is no discriminator. Bright sunshine and a strong bracing breeze favoured the passage of the steamer down and out of the harbour into Cook Strait. The boys took shelter aft the main deck, and for an hour or two watched the gradually fading outlines of the shore of their native isles. Other passengers were quick to show interest in these healthy and hefty specimens of Maoriland footballers, who soon adapted themselves to their new conditions. Concern about Tittleton's colour was manifest. He took refuge in his berth. All went to bed early, 9.30 p.m., with instructions for "Reveille' 'at 6.30 a.m. for deck training. Although favoured by the first day's putting back of the clock —a system that proceeds as you go west —the morning call did not reveal a full muster. Some members of the team were a trifle squeamish. However, operations soon began. After ball practise and other exercise in the morning, the boys appeared to have found their "sea leps with the exception referred to. The South AucklandeT Stephenson went to sympathise with Tittleton, and also suffered a turn of sickness. The voyage thus far was wonderfully placid —a trca,t compared to some of the trips experienced in the crossing of Cook Strait. However, it was. surprising _to_ see the number of people already missing from smokerooms, lounges, decks and meals. But Gregory's men were well standing up to their first "test." Cheerful Party. In the afternoon practice was indulged in with greater vigour than ever, but the West Coaster, Dodds, found it incumbent to rest. During this outing one of the two new match balls brought over struck the ship's railing and slewed under the canvas protection material and dropped overboard. Watene gave preliminary instruction in the haka that will prove an intriguing war-cry for the players and public of Australia. For several hours deck tennis, golf, and other games were enjoyed. Watene was the comcdian of the party. Timms, Abbott, Jones, Stephenson, Gregory, Trautvetter, Pearce, Eekhoff, Calder and Seagar were amongst the bright lights, and the _ Northlander, Meyer, had come out of his shell in surprising manner. Clark, Brisbane, Pearce, Amos, Dodds, Dobbs, Barchard and Wetherill were more reserved, but nevertheless entered into all the fun. Dobbs had several students of ''bridge" under his command in the evenings, when the tables were popular until it came to brisk walks and runs on deck or dancing. Dufty was in great form. He was heard early in the morning proclaiming the virtues of the vessel's "shark-proof" baths, in which he declared he had swum what was equivalent to Manly and back. Results From Home. On Sunday morning the team was "up with the larks," delighted with all conditions, calm sea and sunshine. All hands were on deck and the haka was delivered with striking unison, much to the enjoyment of passengers. Wetherill provides the final "kick" in this exhibition by darting along between the leader and the party with 3taring eyes and protruding tongue, in time to synchronise in the concluding whoop of challenge. Kinsmen of Watene will be proud to know that this spectacular haka is being staged for tho first time on tho football battlegrounds abroad. The boys were glad to have news of the football results from the Dominion, the surprises being the defeat of Marists in Auckland and of Addington in Christchurch. ( About 10 a.m. the Maunganui passed away to the north bound for Wellington. By noon we were 673 miles from New Zealand, with 567 miles to cover before reaching "the city of the bridge"—bowling along to the gentle swell of the Tasman. Several of the boys were developing a high regard for boat travel. It was just the same calmness aboard Sunday evening, and Monday was also fine. The Ulimaroa soon left behind a steamer overtaken and away to starboard. The haka practices held by the team were always the signal for a general gathering of passengers, who were obviously impressed with the genial .spirits and good behaviour of the footballers. "They are a grand lot of fellows," remarked one of the officers of the vessel. The war-cry was now given with pleasing accuracy, and the team manager, having collected the baggage declarations of the party, was more at ease. The team now erected a net and indulged with zest in cricket, a number of passengers also participating. Popular With Paosengers. Under the heading, "Our League Football Passengers," the steamer's "daily appeared with this The League football All Blacks constitute a conspicuous party aboard. They are a sturdy lot of young men typifying their country's manhood, and, if appearances go for anything, they should _ be the cynosure of all eyes on the playing fields. Happy and fit, they should arrive in Sydney well prepared for a strenuous tour, for it lias to be remembered that the Rugby League cod© is practically Australia's national game. . . • These New Zealanders are undaunted, the successors of many clever sides that have crossed the Tasman. . . • Others on the ship will join in wishing these lads from the land of the kiwi and the fern the best of good luck for their games in the Commonwealth." When 120 miles from Sydney (about 3 p.m.) the sky was overcast and threatening rain, and the steamer had a more pronounced roll. All the boys were in good trim. The weather held up well during the evening, and all aboard were keenly interested in the wireless progress reports of the second cricket Test match in England. The team retired early, and were all up about 5 a.m. to see, if possible, Sydney Harbour. The Ulimaroa cruised round outside the heads for some time waiting for the pilot, and, except for city lights in the distance, no good

view could bo obtained. It was very dark until 0.30, when many passengers were on deck as the steamer sailed under the two huge converging arms of the bridge nearing completion. Officials in full force were on the wharf to greet the team, which was taken by a fine char-a-banc to the Arcadia Hotel. The pretentious club of the New South Wales League was where the team was taken after a run out (and more photography) at the sports ground quite handy to the city. Mr. 11. Flegg, the assertive gentleman who is president of the League, was chairman, supported on the dais by the New Zealand managers, Messrs. J. A. Ferguson and W. J. Taylor, the team being distributed in front of a crowded audience. Mr. Flegg said it was his privilege to perform the most important ceremony in League circles for a considerable time, and that was to welcome friends from New Zealand. This toast, which followed that of "The lung," was heartily honoured. It was 1925 since the last team had come to Australia, and 1921 since the Australian team had visited New Zealand. As one of the managers lie had a vivid recollection of that trip and its hospitality. It was therefore a pleasure to receive the players as guests, whom they all would wish a successful tour —though not to win all tho Tests. In his opinion the standard of play was as high as it ever had been in Australia, and therefore the public of Australia wero keen to see the visitors. First impressions gained on the wharf when the New Zealanders landed engendered nothing but respect, and they had brought fine weather with. them. For the League and tho people he extended them the best of good luck. (Applause.) Australia's High Standard. Several vice-presidents also spoke. Mr. E. McFayden said he hoped the team would provo itself a line one, and thereby help to make contests annual fixtures. However, it had to be remembered the team and its play would be criticised, but that was for the good of the game. Mr. A. Latta, who is also a State League selector, and one of the selectors of the last Australian team for England, said New Zealand would find that they had a very hot side agaiugt them. Mr. Reuben Clayton remarked that as one who accompanied tho last Kangaroos, he was glad of the opportunity to acknowledge tho courtesies extended by the Government, civic authorities, and the Auckland and New Zealand Leagues during their short stay in Auckland. Mr. A. Burdon, a New South Wales and Australian I selector, also emphasised tlia.t the All I Blacks would face a strong side, and j hoped, therefore, that the visitors would live up to reputation and do well. Mr. H. R. Miller, secretary of the League, struck a happier note. "J have now seen these Kiwis, and they have given me a good deal of trepidation," he said. "To-day I saw Watene tackle in such a manner that it shook the grandstands at tho ground. (Applause and laughter.) But, to be more serious, gentlemen, I want to say that these boys have impressed me as being unusually good, and I believe and hopo they will uphold the prestige of New Zealand." "The Hotter the Better.' Recalling his visit to Australia in 1919, Mr. Ferguson cordially thanked tho League for its fine reception, both on the wharf and at headquarters. "With regard to the team," he continued, "one of your speakers, -with some support, has said that your team is a 'hot one.' Well, all I can say in reply to .that is that the hotter it is the better. We have a sturdy, fast lot of men, and our forwards weigh over half a ton. We are going to givo you some typical New Zealand League Rugby, provided by the youngest team that has crossed the Tasman for that purpose. Their intention is to train and to win for New Zealand." After referring ito the long and intimate association between the two countries in different sports, and including even Clarrie Grimmett in cricket, Mr. Ferguson assured the gathering that New Zealand was just as interested in Don. Bradman and the feats of Australian cricketers as Australians themselves. They appreciated tho welcome, and hoped to show that tho present team had some stars worthy of international honours. Briefly Mr. Taylor also added his thanks for the compliments tendered the team, which, in his opinion, was the best that had ever left the shores of New Zealand. C. E. Gregory, captain, said that win or lose, the players would prove themselves gentlemen. The Trade Commissioner for New Zealand (Mr. L. M. Schmitt) also thanked the League for its reception to the team, and hoped the players would win their matches and enjoy their stay in Australia. Watene led (the boys in the haka, which earned rounds of applause.