League Tourists—Visitors Amoved At Code Rivalry In New Zealand

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 September 1949, Page 7

League Tourists— Visitors Amoved At Code Rivalry In New Zealand

Amazement at' the nature of the rivalry, between the Rugby Union and. Rugby Leagues codes in the Dominion was expressed by the business manager of the touring Australian Rugby League-team (Me ( F. Moynahan) speaking at the civic reception tendered -to the party on its arrival, ; at Greymouth yesterday afternoon.' . \ ' “We are .here on a mission of Rugby League,” said Mr Moynahan. “We. hope that besides'proving a success, we can do much to foster and establish the game of Rugby League in New Zealand. In the States from which our ' representatives come, Rugby League is the' predominant game. Tn New Zealand it takes second place -to what we have already experienced—the religion of Rugby Union.” “Most Parochial Even .in association with such people as taxi-drivers, added Mr Moynahan, the tourists had found a most parochial rivalry between the codes.- “In Australia,” he continued “we have friendly rivalry. We are not upset, but we are amazed at the rivalry here.” In the absence of the. Mayor (Mr F; F. Boustridge), for whom he apologised, the deputy-Mayor, Mr J, E. Stokes, presided at the reception, which was held in the lounge of the Albion Hotel. Welcoming the visitors, Mr Stokes said he wished that he could have the opportunity of extending a welcome to an Australian sports team every week, as he felt that such visitors, whether by League, Rugby; Soccer, or basketball teams did a great deal to bind the two countries closer together. After expressing the hope that the Australians would enjoy their visit to Greymouth, and warning them of the West Coast’s record against international football teams, Mr Stokes said he knew that , the game today would be olayed in the spirit which it should be played, winch was all that' the West Coasters wanted. Rugby Union Welcome On behalf of the West Coast Rugby Union, Mr H. Clifford, who apologised for the absence of the president, Mr F. W. Baillie, also extended a welcome and good wishes to the visitors. “I hope that you have many wins,” added Mr Clifford. “I won’t say that I hope you will win tomorrow, as we are West Coasters and like to see our own team win, but we do ask that you give of your best, so that the public Will enjoy what they go to see.” Appreciation of the manner m which the team had already been received on the West Coast, and of the action of West Coast officials in going to Stillwater to meet the party, was expressed by the team manager, Mr L. Thompson. “We have had some reports from the press of happenings which occurred here;’ he added. “However, we are here to play the game and tomorrow will endeavour to show true Rugby League.” Mr Moynahan, as the business manager, also returned thanks and after making the remarks quoted above said that, although beaten m the first Test, the Australians had left a good impression in Wellington. Everyone was talking about the game and if they could do the same in Greymouth, then they would have done their job. More Visits Proposed •) “I am here to do a job,” said Mr H. Flegg, chairman of the Australian Board of Control, who is travelling with the team. “I am trying to get a Maori team to Australia and an interchange of visits. You have to offer your players something worthwhile to get more players to follow the game, and you only want a few more games like that in Wellington •last Saturday.” The brief' ceremony concluded with Mr Moynahan extending congratulations to the West Coast League on “the very big part its players took in the New Zealand victory last Saturday.” He added that one of them, C. Mcßride scored two tries, one of which meant the difference between a drawn game and defeat for the Australians. Among the visitors for today s game are the president of the New Zealand League (Mr J. Redwood) and two New Zealand selectors, Messrs, A. T. McClymont (Auckland) and J. Amos. (Canterbury).