RUGBY LEAGUE

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 89, 12 October 1923, Page 11

RUGBY LEAGUE

AUSTRALIAN TOUR.

At the monthly meeting of the Kugby League Council (writes "The Post's" London correspondent), arrangements for the Australasian tour came up for consideration, and it was decided that the time of departure from England should be Friday, 11th April. "The date," says "Forward' in the "Athletic News," "will come as a big surprise to club officials, for the Easter holidays next year are delayed until 18th April, "and according to the League programme fifty games are down for decisipji between 12th April and 22nd April. Under ordinary conditions, 12th •April would?no doubt be devoted to the cup. semi-finals, with the final for 26th April,: but the council have no option jn tha.ijiatter, and though a considerable .rearrangement of cup ties and matches must be made, in order to satisfy the requirements of the New South Wales League, passages are to be booked on the .boat leaving London on 11th April. • -;"One v; reason, I understand, for the early departure is that matches are to be played at Melbourne. Through the enterprise of Mr. H. Sunderland, of Queensland, who visited England with the last-'touring'.tea,m,'. several Rugby Leagues have been formed in the city, I learn that • considerable progress in the game has been made there during the season just concluded. The New South Wales League realise the importance of extending their area, and they are particularly desirous of taking full advantage of the visit of the English team for propaganda purposes in Victoria. ■ ........ . ' :

"The greater problem,' however, to me 'is the' constitution of the team. As yet few new plajers of note have joined tlie A clubs, and the representative games played last season revealed'more acutely than ever-the shortage of half-backs and centre, .three-quarter backs. The other positions in the side will not be over-dif-ficult tp fill, for there are several wing-three-quarter backs, at least'four fullbacks well worthy of' selection, and a score of really class forwards available."