LEAGUE TOURISTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 210, 5 September 1930, Page 11

LEAGUE TOURISTS.

REPORT BY THE MANAGERS

SUGGESTIONS' TO THE COUNCIL.

A lengthy, report ■ traversing the tour of the New Zealand team in Australia was presented to the New Zealand Council of the Rugby League last evening by Mr. J. A. Ferguson, associated with Mr. IW. J. Taylor as joint manager. This revealed that the tourists. lost, from the field in all but about four games, an average of two, but sometimes three and four players through injury. In several matches it was actually essential to play injured men in order to make up a complement. Iu spite of this adversity, the conduct of all members in the most •■ trying circumstances was exemplary and of great assistance in fulfilling engagements against teams of high standard in the country districts as well as in the towns. ! v Tho managers considered that in future tours more attention should be 'paid to the. selection, and. the team shbuld have a week's hard training before leaving here. Some of the players were not up to expectations and this handicapped the team. Mr. Ferguson, after referring eulogistically to the coaching of Mr. A. Hennessey, said also that there were faults in the itinerary. At least about four matches were too close to the bigger cities. Ipswich, for instance was about an hour's run from Brisbane. It was considered that both Lismoro and Toowoomba should have been visited. It would have been better to have reviewed the itinerary after the first match. The game Avas on a high plane in Australia, but if New Zealand players received as much consideration they would produce football second to none in tho world. In future there should be 24 players on such a trip. After referring to the necessity of extra playing gear, such as hip and shoulder pads, the speaker mentioned that at a special conference with Australian officials, he was pleased to note the helpful attitude towards New Zealand with regard to the code's development, intercolonial visits, and the matter of the English League Clubs' system of importing Dominion players to the detriment of the game here. An estimated statement of accounts showed that the cost of the tour was £1800, but the final bal-ance-sheet would not be available until further about gates bad been received. Points for Consideration. Members heartily congratulated the managers on the'manner In which they kept the council advised during the tour, Mr. Stall worthy mentioning that it was recognised that the team went under most adverse circumstances, which operated, against it in every way throughout. The chairman, Mr. C. A. Snedden, said the extra facts disclosed that evening emphasised the load of troubles carried by the team. In reply to a question Mr. Taylor said the team trained at every opportunity. Mr. Sneddon said the tour also showed.that the. League would have to take a stand for the enforcement of the rule applying to replacement of injured players, and he hoped that eventually it would be adopted internationally. The right to review intineraries wa's another matter and also the question«of a visiting team having the right to select one out*; of three referees. Mr. A. McClymon.t, in commending the touring' team, said he knew the high grade maintained in Australia, and thought that in view of the injuries, New Zealand did remarkably well in keeping tho scores to such a small margin, and then winning out in the end.' '.'. , , ; ' •The report and statement of accounts were adopted. ■'; , Special Committee's Work. ; Mr. Snedden reported on the progress being made by the special committee which: is engaged considering the ways and means of improving the standard.of the game. Ttivas pointed out for the benefit of Mr. H. Lipscombe,. who. said he thought tliere was •■'camouflage," and that the matter was being approached wrongly/ that the special committee had nothing to hide, and the complete scheme being formulated would be submitted to the Auckland League and the clubs. Mi:. McClymont said that of gate percentages he considered the reduction of senior teams to six would provide the play they had been looking for'for years. Replying again to Mr. Lipscombe, Mr. Snedden said the League was getting good gates, but was only afi'eteed during the season by the British team's visit. Mr. StalLworthy said that the play had ■been too much a fol*2ll of old 'Rugby, and the sooner they eot back, to real League; as played some years ago, the better. Mr. Sneddon said the special committee was ;still deliberating and enthusiastic. The council, under its constitution, could not . countenance straight-out'; .professionalism. The idea of granting clubs ait equal part of gate percentages was to provide funds for organising iu lieu of the proposed withdrawal' of V.P. passes. Correspondence dealt with included -a letter from the New South Wales League, referring & the ill-luck of the "Kiwis," .and stating that a scheme was being evolved there to assist the code in Xew Zealand.