Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13th., 1930. BRITISH RUGBY TEAM

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 August 1930, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13th., 1930. BRITISH RUGBY TEAM

•JHIE conclusion of the British Rugby team’s tour of .the Dominion, makes it opportune to congratulate both visitors and hosts on ' the great, success of the undertaking not only from the financial viewpoint, but, what is more import tant, from the sporting and social | aspects. The British did rather bet- | ter on” the playing field thqn ex- | pected, as defections from the or- | iginal selections made it a weaker | combination; moreover casualties 3 j during the tour, and especially the g 1 early loss of Sobey, believed to be g I the visitors ’ best player, told their tale. Nevertheless, the Homelanders throughout proved worthy opponents, and although inferior to New Zealand’s best xvere good enough to win about three-quarters of the matches played, and to gain the respect of even the All Blacks. It is doubtfid if a more popular team has visited New Zealand, and this, following the good impression made by Gilligan’s cricketers, in this country, should help to make the sporting relations between' the Dominion and Britain as cordial as they are in all other directions. > The British prowess proved that some of the lessons given in the Homeland by the • All Blacks on their triumphant tours, had been well-learned, and perhaps, some useful hints have been gleaned by New Zealand Rfigby-players from the present visitors. The latter’s spectacular baeks-play was to the liking of the crowd, whose interest in the tour was maintained to the end, as the ever-increasing gates gave evidence. The N.Z. Rugby Union must feel very pleased with its venture. A profit of about £30,000 on the tour should enable headquarters to assist country clubs or unions to overcome some/of their present financial obstacles to progress. It is to be hoped that the welfare of the code as a whole will be the first consideration, and not the interests of city clubs. - When the British team leaves for Sydney on Friday, it will have the gratification to know that its departure is generally regretted, and that it has this season added an

interesting chapter to N.Z. Rugby history. It will probably be a lon< interval before another Ilomelanc Rugby team comes to this country partly owing to the many difficulties in securing a representative side. It is hot generally realised in the Dominion how comparatively few play Rugby in the Homeland, the Association code absorbing most footballers. Moreover, it would be a mistake to receive such visits toe often, even if good-enough players were available. It will be interesting to note how the Britishers fare against the Australians. The fortnight’s rest from serious football should minimise stalenessj and-the visitors should have more victories than defeats. Meanwhile, New Zealand extends good wishes for a pleasant journey Home and trusts that on their arrival, Prentice and his men will be able to recount as nice things of their experiences here, as New Zealanders can say of their impressions of their departing guests.