RUGBY LEAGUE

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27074, 24 June 1953, Page 12

RUGBY LEAGUE

AUSTRALIAN TEAM AT WELLINGTON

FIFTEEN LEAVE FOR GREYMOUTH

;New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 23.

Twenty Australian Rugby League players arrived today by air from Sydney determined to win back the “Ashes” taken from them by New Zealand in Sydney last year.

With 15 of the 20 players having had additional experience on the recent tour of England and France, the captain (C. Churchill) and the managers (Messrs D. Locke and G. McLeod) believe that their virile pack can more than withstand the New Zealand forwards. Three of the players, Churchill, L. Cowie, and R. Bull, visited New Zealand in 1949.

The players look lean and hard. There are no tall men among them, but there are some very well-built players. H. Crocker and B. Davies being each 15st. Fifteen of the players left by air for the West Coast soon after their arrival this morning in preparation for their first match tomorrow. On their last visit the Australians beat the West Coast 39-14. The remainder, with Mr McLeod, left by the steamer express tonight for Christchurch, where the first test will be played on Saturday. The team was met at the air base by Mr J. Watson, president of the New Zealand Rugby League. Mr E. J. Knowling, secretary of the League; Mr W. F Kerr, president of the Wellington Rugby League Board of Control; Mr Rex Moore, Wellington delegate on the Auckland Rugby League Council; and Messrs R. G. Simpson, A. Haysom, A. E. Harry, and D. Harry, of the Wellington Board of Control.

Accompanying the team is Mr F. Daly, member of the Australian Federal Parliament for Paddington. He intends while in New Zealand to observe industrial and political activities and social services, and have discussions with trade union representatives. Another Rugby League enthusiast, Mr R. McPhillips, a shoe manufacturer, is also accompanying the team. Representing Australian newspapers is Mr W. F. Corbett.

HOUGH TO TRAIN WITH NEW ZEALAND TEAM

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 23. The Richmond Rugby League wing three-quarters, B. Hough, will, fly to Christchurch tomorrow for training with the New Zealand team to play Australia in the first test at Christchurch on Saturday. Hough was approached by the selectors today after the withdrawal of C. Eastlake.

The selectors had originally chosen C. Paskell (Canterbury) as reserve yring, but after the withdrawal of G. Menties and Eastlake from the team, only Sorenson and Paskell remain to fill the places, and there is no reserve.

Hough has shown brilliant form in club games in the last few weeks. He has played for New Zealand in tests against Britain, Australia, and France, but was dropped from the Auckland and North Island teams at the beginning of this season.