HOMEWARD BOUND

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 8 January 1927, Page 5

HOMEWARD BOUND

MAORIS LEAVE ENGLAND PRAISE FOR FRENCH PLAYERS IMPRESSION'S OF TTIE TOUR. BY CABLE-PRESS ASSOCIATION COPYRIGHT. Received 10.40 a.in .to-day. LONDON, Jail. i. Merrily singing the tiothblowers anthem and peatoiiinng a farewell baita, jio members of the Maori teum fcteame.u our from Euston amid the cheers of a large crowd. Air. Cecil V\ ray is accompanying the ream to Liverpool. Air. Par at a and Air, S, Gemmed! will arrive in Wellington by the Narkunda Ba.v after the team reaches Auckland. The mangei, Air. Harris, in an interview, paid a tribute to the kindness and courtesy shown to the Maoris everywhere in Britain am! France. They were delighted with the results of die tour. The team will receive the Prince af Wales medals front the Rt. Hon. J. G. Cbates alter their arrival. Mr. Harris said he was agreeably surprised by the "high standard of play in England, where they found an abundance of first-class players. He had lie wish to make any excuse for the Maoris defeats, beyond pointing out that wet grounds did not suit their best form. An earlier selection of English international teams would ensure a spirit of combination and better results. Considering the short, time tlie French had played Rugby, their standard was marvellous. There were already many stars, and Besson was one of the finest three-quarters he had ever seen. The French schools were keenly fostering Rugby, -and would provide fine recruits enhancing the standard of play. Mr. W. Barclay, the captain, who was wearing a slipper, owing to a poisoned toe .hurt on the hard ground in the final match in Paris, said he was satisfied with the results of the tour. The toughest struggles in Britain were the first match at Newport and the last at Card i ff.