N.Z. TEAM BACK FROM TOUR

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28013, 6 July 1956, Page 14

N.Z. TEAM BACK FROM TOUR

RUGBY LEAGUE

PLAYERS TIRED AND JADED

“ SERIES TOO STRENUOUS,” SAYS MANAGER A dour group of young men. members of the New Zealand Rugby League football team which has been touring Australia, arrived in Christchurch by air yesterday from Sydney. Players of the team which lost the ashes to Australia in the international tests, they said that they were sick and tired of travelling and a programme of games packed one on top of the other. "The boys are really jaded—the tour was far too strenuous." explained the manager (Mr W. Telford, of Auckland). Mr Telford hinted that there would be discussions with the league's administration concerning travel and programmes for future tours cy New Zealand sides. "In five weeks we had 15 games, far too ' many." Mr Telford said. "At one stage we played five games in eight days. All the Australian officials also felt that the tour was too strenuous.” The team had played a much superior brand of football and had been far more constructive than Australian sides he said. The loss in the first test had been unlucky and the Australians thought that the better side had lost. After New Zealand's victory over New South Wales, the Australians did not feel confident of taking the Trans-Tasman Cup. As well the team had been weighed down with the burden of injured players who would have played in the tests but were unable to do so. The full-back. Pat Creedy (Christchurch*, had broken a rib: J. Yates *a forward, of Auckland) had broken bones in a hand: Tom Baxter (centre and captain, of Auckland!, had been another casualty; and another centre. R. Acland (Auckland) had broken an ankle tone "But our lads placed great football and they were a credit to the game and to New Zealand—the enthusiastic crowds of 45.000 and 48.000 proved that.” Mr Telford said. "Before we left, the Australain officials con2ratulat 0 d us cn the sportsmanshio of the team and they told us we played a brand of football better than any seen in Australia for years." Nine players traveled to Christchurch with Mr Telford The remainder flew from Australia to Auckland.