OTAGO TEAM’S TOUR

Evening Star, Issue 23355, 26 August 1939, Page 16

OTAGO TEAM’S TOUR

TO-DAY S MATCH AT EDEN PARK WEATHER FINE. BUT GROUND SOFT A VISIT TO ROTORUA [Fkom Oca Repoetee.] AUCKLAND, 'August 26. The weather is fine though rather dull for the Otago-Auckland fixture at Eden Park this afternoon. The ground has dried out comparatively well, and though it will be soft it .should be in better order than was anticipated. After the team’s impressive showing against North Auckland, which earlier defeated Auckland, Otago supporters are hopeful that the touring side will maintain Otago’s run of success against Auckland since 1923, but Auckland has never been a side to be taken lightly, and the game should be well contested, it being considered that the new blood introduced into the pack will strengthen Auckland. In the three-quarter line Martin has been omitted from the Auckland team. The referee is Mr E. D. Hill. ■ Old Otago playrs were _ prominent among the visitors in Wellington, hut it has been nothing to the experience in Auckland, where hosts of old Dunedinites have visited the team. An amusing happening was the meeting of two old Otago iplayers who have lived here for 20 years but had not encountered each other until the arrival of the team brought them together. “ Paddy ” Sheehan, former Otago skipper, has ■ devoted a lot of time to the team since its arrival here, and was with it at-practice yesterday. In the afternoon the whole teain paid a visit to the Zoo, And in the evening a picture party was arranged. Other ex-Otago players encountered have been “Billy” Munro (the old Union player), Ernie Austin, “(Rick” Abbott, and Charlie Stewart (all old Zingari plavers, who have been kept in touch with their club’s doings by the manager, Mr A. H. Cameron). Among more recent players to call to tender good wishes to the team were “Bill” Laney (who was captain of the 1937 touring team) and ‘‘Bill” Foreman and W. M‘Farland (ali old University players). .; , Last night Mr J. Oliver, president of the Dunedin Club here, called to welcome the team and convey best wishes for the side’s success. . A party of the players has been afforded the opportunity of visiting Rotorua, this being organised by the vice-captain (R. Neipcr), and it will be in charge of one of the managers (Mr A. H. Cameron). The team leaves for Wanganui on Monday afternoon. , During the team s stay here the players nave been well entertained by Mr A. Baker (chairman of the Auckland Union’s Management Committee), Mr 0. H. Harvey, and other officials, and with a-very happy-lot of players the present tour lias been voted a most enjoyable one. Most pleaing has been the keenenss and improvement shown by all the young country players, who should bo ah asset to Otago in future years.