AUSTRALIAN TEAM ON WAY HOME: FLIGHT DELAYED

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 September 1949, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN TEAM ON WAY HOME: FLIGHT DELAYED

AUCKLAND, This Day (P.A.).— The Australian Rugby team, winners of both tests against New Zealand and the Bledisloe Cup,- left by Skymaster about 12.45 today on their return to Sydney. The visitors were bidden farewell at Whenuapai airport by Mr Don Max, president of the New Zealand Rugby Union, and other friends'. The Skymaster Should have left for Sydney at 10.30, but did not take off until 12.45. It was found that the baggage of the 44 intending passengers was too heavy and after some delay in trying to make readjustments the airport officials decided to off-load eight ordinary passengers, leaving the team intact. The footballers were not perturbed by the delay, which followed the official farewell and the ceremony of loading the Bledisloe Cup. Mr Max thanked the team for the boost given to Rugby in the smaller union districts and warned the Australians to make the most of the cup while they had the chance. Mr R. J. Walden, the Australian manager, said the cup would give the cede added prestige in the Commonwealth. He warned that’ New Zealand would have a job to bring the cup back from Australia.