INTEREST RIFE AS TO ITINERARY OF ARMY RUGBY TEAM

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 262, 4 November 1944, Page 6 (Supplement)

INTEREST RIFE AS TO ITINERARY OF ARMY RUGBY TEAM

THE possibility of a tour by a New Zealand Army Rugby team after the cessation of hostilities in Europe remains a much-discussed subject among troops overseas, the N.Z.E.F. Times carrying further information on the proposal in recent editions. The Times says that no statement has yet been made available as to ,the proposed itinerary, and speculation regarding the countries to be visited is rife, but it is believed that the New Zealand Army team of World War 11. will play in South Africa, Great Britain, and possibly Canada, with a game or two in Australia before returning to the Dominion. If the tour eventuates, and there is no reason why it should not, the location of the Division being an important factor in the final arrangements, it will mark a second milestone in New Zealand Army football.

Mention is made of some players known throughout New Zealand in peace time in reports supplied from the various units. Members of artillery units have had their training restricted by the deployment of the regiment, states a correspondent of the Times, adding that company matches have been played. He particularly mentions Forbes (Canterbury), Gibson (Otago),. Parnell (Wanganui), Kjestrup (King Country), Grace (Southland), and Overton (Canterbury).

A report of infantry activities states that the Maoris have played inter-company and inter-battalion matches with pleasing results, and that "a lot of shorts have been damaged beyond repair." A brigade report reveals that many hardfought games have been produced by the battalions, and S. L. McKenzie, a former Hawke's Bay and North Island representative, is doing good coaching work. I. Percy (Wairarapa) and R. Skelton (Avondale) are prominent forwards, with Anderson (Canterbury), A. Graham (West Coast), and J. Hall (Kaiapoi) good among the backs. Auckland Battalion Inter-unit trials have provided practically the whole of the training for an Auckland battalion, owing to limited playing time, and scoring players have been J. Smith, C. Nicholson, K. Arnold, C. Hoeft, E. Brimble, J. Barnett, R. Smith, W. Beet, R. Stancich, Harper, and Clarkin, with goal-kicking not so good as expected.

A South Island battalion of the same brigade reports that two exSouthland representatives, Don Grant and George Purdue, bave been appointed group selectors, while John Clark, a Seddon Shield footballer, and South Island representative of 1926, is doing valuable work on the administrative side. Among those assisting in service and advice are Peina and Kingi, whose prowess as five-eighths in the early 'twenties was a by-word in Rugby circles at the time. The trials have so far revealed a wealth of forwards, though there is a shortage of really first-class backs.