LEAGUE TEAM'S POOR TOUR

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28234, 23 March 1957, Page 5

LEAGUE TEAM'S POOR TOUR

The Australian Rugby League team’s 1956 tour of Britain was one of the least successful experienced by Australian teams. Apart from being beaten in two of the three tests against Britain, it suffered defeat in half of its games against clubs, two of them being very heavy ones. Oldham won by 21 points to 2, St. Helens by 44 points to 2, possibly the biggest defeat ever suffered by an international side. Indifferent performances such as these had their effect on the attendances and the side was most fortunate to break even financially on the whole tour of England and France. Unlike tours of this country the tax accounts for much of the gate money. Of the gross gate receipts of £35,184 4s 2d, taxation accounted for £8065 Is' 2d. Australia’s portion of the gates was £17,626 13s 3d. Although the Australian and English League authorities have fought to have the tax withdrawn from touring teams’ gates they have yet to get their way. The main argument of Australia’s League men is that the Australian cricketers get almost twice as much as them for a tour of England but don’t pay a penny tax. The League officials think it is laughable that their players are classed as professionals but the cricketers are still amateurs. Australia’s games in France were more successful. Winning every game, it was the first team ever to do so.