RUGBY LEAGUE.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXV, Issue 12912, 14 July 1936, Page 6

RUGBY LEAGUE.

KEPT A AN IDOL AT HOME. BIG CROWDS TURN OUT TO SEE HIM. ‘Press Association! AUCKLAND, July 33. A rofercnco to a movement in England tn form a southern league to establish Rugby league football in the south of England was made this

morning by \V T . J. Cut bush on his re turn bv the Wjinganellin after i'iiifi.l- - a five years' engagement in England.

A former member of the P tone Club, Cutb’i Ii played for ‘"our years wilh Halifax ,and In U year with Acton and W’illesdcn. Gutbu.sJi said that George Nopin lute) become 11iidol of London sporting crowds, and whenever, he ed a big crowd turned lip to see him. J folder t ook some time to reach New Zealand form, but a gr at deal was expected of him. Harrison and McDonald were regarded as iwo of the greatest forwards in England, while iho play of .Smith, the former Hawke’s Ray thre?-quai-te:. had made the greatest impression of a:!, both with the Horne public and the players. Smith admittedly was the hardest runner in the game. The* all-round ploy of the New Zealand contingent, made the St rent hamMiteham side .and the play nf other New Zealanders seattercTl among old) er English team had, It was considered, done much to revivify the game as tar as methods and team pla.v ware concerned. Last reason a colonial team including the New Zealanders .Nepier, Cut bush, Mason. King, Hall and Logan, played Franc*? at Paris and had been defeated. Ciitburh said ir was no good any Nc-w Z ulandors going Home on ihe of: chance of joining an English team proper ari-angom.m.s and a contract being necessary. He mentioned that W. E. Merritt had retired from hague football to concentrate on cricket.