LEAGUE TEAM BACK

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 99, 24 October 1939, Page 9

LEAGUE TEAM BACK

PROMISE-OF GOOD-SIDE

BUT WAR INTERVENED

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, This Day. Having played only, two matches in England, the New * Zealand Rugby League team has returned to New Zealand. Hopes of a successful tour' of England and France were dashed by the .outbreak of war after the first match against St. Helens. The authorities decided against football matches owing to the danger of crowds during possible air raids. Later the restrictions were lifted, and the match against Dewsbury was permitted, but the authorities decided that the tour should not continue. It promised that the team would be invited back after the war. Unfortunately there will be a heavy loss on the tour, but nothing is yet known as to how the loss will be adjusted. Mr. J. A. Redwood, co-manager, said that on the form shown in the two matches, both of which were won by New Zealand, English critics considered that there was. the makings of a great team. They were greatly impressed by the full-back, Hemi, and the forwards Milliken and Jones. Rex King, the captain, said that the team made a very happy party. All had returned well. The team gave great promise on the field, and was particularly strong in the forwards. On the outbreak of the war they offered their services in air-raid precautions and worked with sandbags at Harrowgate, in Yorkshire, where they were quartered. They experienced one air-raid alarm, and were ordered to the basement of their hotel. They finished the tour with four days' sight-seeing in London. There were eighteen Aucklanders and eight southerners in tlie team. The southerners proceed homewards tonight.