CHAMPION TEAM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 174, 25 July 1932, Page 5

CHAMPION TEAM.

LEAGUE FOOTBALLERS. ENGLISHMEN ARRIVE, RETAINED «ASHES » CXTP. ; CAPTAIN'S THIRD VISIT. "Hullo, Jim," rang a welcome from the roof of a cargo shed on the Prince's wharf as tlie K.M.s. Niagara was berthing this morning. "Hullo, Tim," was the reply that came back from the ship. The owner of the voice that made itself heard from the steamer was big Jim Sullivan, captain of the English Rugby League team, which arrived from Sydney to-day to play a series of. matches in New Zealand. Sullivan, who is making his third visit to the Dominion as an English representative footballer, was replying to an unofficial welcome voiced by Tim Peckham, halfback of the Auckland City team, who made many friends with the Englishmen when they visited New Zealand four years ago. Australian Rubber Won. That the Englishmen are a fine football combination is evident from their record in Australia. Although they lost the eecond Test, they won the third and the rubber in convincing fashion. In 13 matches other than Tests they won 13, losing one and drawing another. "We are proud to have the Ashes Cup still with us," said Mr. G. F. Hutehins, the team manager. "The cup was presented by the City Tattersalls Club, of Sydney, in 1928, and was won by England. Avion the Australians were at Home last year we retained the trophy after an additional Test liad been l>layed. When we left for Australia on our present tour we took the cup with us, but we are delighted that it was not wrested from us." A Record Attendance. In Australia for all matches the attendances totalled 315,000, said Mr. Hutehins. At the first Test at Sydney the crowd numbered 70,500, a record for sport in Australia. "And according to the police, another 3000 were turned away at the gates," added Mr. Hutehins. The Sydney officials, said the English manager, were considering a scheme to secure- a ground capable of holding 100,000 people for the next visit of the Englishmen.

The gross receipts for the games played in Australia, according to Mr. Hutchins, were £28,000. Compared with the takings on the previous tour, the figures showed a decrease, but that could be put down to the financial stringency and general trade depression. Well-balanced Side. Asked now he thought the present team compared with the side which visited Australia and New Zealand four years ago, Mr. Hutchins said he thought it was rather better balanced. The standard of play in Australia this season was not quite as high as previously, but it was evident from the class of player who opposed the Englishmen in the country fixtures that the Commonwealth would have some splendid players in the future. "We will not be so foolish as to regard the Australians lightly when they visit England next year," he said. In Australia, said the manager, the Englishmen were subjected to the usual Australian "barracking," but the sporting public generally had given the tourists a good reception, and every member of the party had thoroughly enjoyed the trip. Questioned concerning the second Test at Brisbane, which was reported to have been unusually rough, Mr. Hutchins said that inefficient control was chiefly responsible for anything undesirable that had happened. A hard ground, too, had had something to do with the tempers of the players becoming frayed. The Englishmen's Hope. The tourists, said Mr. Hutchins, were a fine collection of footballers and athletes. The side played an open game, and provided the class of football that appealed to the public. It was hoped that when the New Zealand tour was over the Englishmen would be able to say that they had done something to improve the standard of the play in this country. There are 26 players in the side. They are: L. Adams, A. Atkinson, F. A. Butters, S. Brogtfen, W. Dingsdale, I. J. Davies, A. Ellaby, B. Evan3, A. E. Fikles, N. Fender, J. Feetham. W. Horton, B. Hudeon, M.' Hodgson, J. Lowe, E. Pollard, G. Robinson, A. J. Risman, S. Smith, N. Silcock, J. Sullivan, J. F. Thompson, L. White, J. Wrigiit, W. A. Williams and J. T. Woods. Mr. Hutchins is team manager and coach, and Mr. E. F. Anderton is financial manager. Messrs. F. Brown and F. D. Watson and Mr. and Mrs. W. Sawyer are accompaying the team aa visitors. Mrs. E. M. Haigh, whose husband is a director of the Leeds Club, is also following the team on its tour. The unlucky player in the sido is Butters, who played against the Australians in the deciding match in England last year. In his first match in Australia he broke a bone in his foot, five minutes before the game was scheduled to finish, and he was using a crutch when the Niagara arrived this morning. Feetham, Dingsdale and Adams, all of whom were injured in Australia, are now making a good recovery. Most Versatile Player. Probably the most versatile player in the team is Risman, who was selected as reeerve full-back. In Australia lie played in every back position on the field. It had been intended that he should complete his unique record by playing as a forward in the match at Wagga Wagga, but at the last minute Sullivan became indisposed and Risman was required to fill the full-back position. It is intended that he shall be given an opportunity of playing as a lorward In New Zealand. "We should not have lost a match in Australia, but we were unlucky in the matter of injuries," eaid Sullivan, the team captain. Sullivan is making his third visit to New Zealand, but he is not alone in this distinction, as Thompson has also come to the Dominion as a League representative twice previously. Five of the other players, Ellaby, Evans, Horton, Fildes and Williame, are making their second visit. The tourists, who were officially welcomed on the ship by Messrs. C. Sneddon, president of the New Zealand League Council, W. O. Carlaw, secretary, and E. W. Pollock, a member of the council, are Hotel. Auckland.