LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Grey River Argus, 13 August 1937, Page 3

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

MAORIS AND LEAGUE. When the Maoris defeated Australia on Wednesday, it was the first time that a League New Zealand native team played an overseas side in New Zealand and Maori supporters of the game have long awaited such an opportunity, as they were convinced that their representatives will be as strong as any pakeha League team that could be fielded. The history of Maori League football dates back to 1908, when the initial side of the i-ace toured Australia with fair success. The following year another team was sent across the Tasman, this time under the managership of the well-known Maori chief, the late Mr. T. Hetit. On this tour a cup was donated by the O. T. Punch Company for competition between New South Wales and New Zealand, the latter side being successful in two of the three contests. The cup is still in the possession of the Hetit family. This tour of Australia was practically the origin of the wonderful interest of the Maori race in the League code and the team was selected from representatives of Rotorua, Tauranga, Waikato and Taranaki. Among the best known members of the side were the brothers Ernie and “Opae” Asher, Riki Papakura (brother of the late noted guide Maggie) and Jim Rukutai. The New South Wales Rugby League attempted to contract the side for a tour to the Old Country, but owing to the players being of limited quality the tourists had to refuse the offer

A visit was also paid to Australia again about twelve years later and met with a fair amount of success. In 1910 the Auckland Maoris met an English League side at Victoria, but were beaten fairly comfortably. INANGAHUA SUB CENTRE. Mr. C. Coxall, presided at the weekly meeting of the Inangahua Rugby League Sub Centre when he presented his report on the visit of the Inangahua team to Canterbury. He stated that the behaviour of the players was a credit to the League. The Secretary put before the meeting an interim balance sheet of the representative match, showing a satisfactory credit balance. Tne reports of the Manager and Secretary were received with thanks. The following fixtures were drawn up for this week-end: — Senior—Knock Out Cup Competition (Sunday): Waratahs v. Waiuta, at Reefton, at 2.45 (C. McElwee); Junction v. Reefton, at Junction,'at 2.45 (S. Whitehead). Junior—Anisy Banner (Saturday): Waiuta v. Grej' Valley, at Waiuta, at 2.45 p.m. (F. Thorn). Sunday: Junction v. Reefton, at Junction, at 1.30 p.m. (S. Whitehead). Rapahoe Juniors to play Marist on Sunday.—Leach, Ellwood, Timlin, Mundy, Brown, O’Neili, Muncaster, Green, Finn, Almond, Quy, Thompson, Bowden.