FULL SEASON FOR RUGBY LEAGUE

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30094, 30 March 1963, Page 9

FULL SEASON FOR RUGBY LEAGUE

TJUGBY League enthusiarts can look forward to a full season this year. The early date—May 4 of toe selection of the Kiwi teem to tour Australia will ensure thait the top players are fully fit at toe beginning of toe season. The team will leave for Australia on May 19 but it is probable that toe side will spend some time

together before leaving. However, before the team is chosen a refresher course will be held for 30 players at Rotorua, tt is thought the course will enable the selectors to view players on toe border-line of selection. At home, the visit of a South African team to New Zealand, which now seems very likely, would be a great attraction. If the tour eventuates the teem would come on to New Zealand after matches in New South Wales and Queensland. Rugby League made a start in South Africa only la* year, but the code seems very strong in view of performances again* the English team on its way home after touring Australia and New Zealand la* year. It is almost certain that if a South African team docs tour New Zealand this year it will include some prominent South African Rugby Union players who have changed to Rugby League and also players with English league clubs.

Representative matches should again provide some exciting finishes while at club level there are sure to be some close struggles. There is no doubt that the Rothman's Tournament is a great incentive to club sides. In Christchurch six teams wiR make up the senior grade. Hornby, Linwood, Mari* and Papanui look the be*’ sides on paper, while Sydenham will field a young, fit aide and Christchurch has players capable of causing a surprise. Young players will have a full season as the national schoolboys* tournament will be held in Christchurch during the Augu* holidays. This tournament provides some excellent Rugby League. The New Zealand Schoolboys’ Council has issued an invitation for a team from New South Wales to tour New Zealand. This would be near the end of the season.

For Linwood and Sydenham this season will be especially notable, as both clubs will be celebrating their jubilees.