RUGBY AND LEAGUE

Evening Star, Issue 22896, 2 March 1938, Page 4

RUGBY AND LEAGUE

NEW ZEALANDER S GREAT RECORD “MABBA" JOHNSTON IN SYDNEY [By Hooker.] An old Otago man of whom the write* saw a great deal during a stay in Sydney for the British Empire Games was Mr W. (“ Massa ”) Johnston, who hag a responsible position at the Royal Agricultural Showgrounds, where the Empire Village was situated at which the New Zealander’s were quartered. “ Massa ” is still interested in the doings of his old friends . in ,Otago, and he inquired concerning' . the Alhambra Club, , with whom- he .played some 35 years ago. “ Massa ”• represented Otago in 1904 and. gained South Island honours in 1905,. being a member of the original All Blacks that toured Great Britain and Australia in 1905-06. In 1907 he represented the South Island, and was a member of the New Zealand- team that visited Australia. Turning over to League, he was a member of the New Zealand League team in Great Britain in 1907-08, .and in 1908-09-10 played for the Wigan Club in Lancashire, and also (represented England against the Kangaroos at Liverpool. During the 1911-12 season he cap. tained the Warrington Rugby Leagu* Club in Lancashire, and the following year played for Coventry in Warwickshire.

In recent years he has done a good deal of coaching in New South Wales, and in 1926 was coach at Canonwindra,being at Lithgow and Newcastle the following year, and- at Leeton and Woollongong in 1928. . . “ Massa 1 ’ was personally interested, in the doings of all the members of the New Zealand team at the Games, and always welcomed the opportunity of a chat, especially with' the Otago - representatives in the team.