RUGBY LEAGUE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 30 April 1927, Page 6

RUGBY LEAGUE.

TOUR OF ENGLAND

REASONS FOR FINANCIAL failure.

(by TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

AUCKLAND., April 29. The executive of the New Zealand Rugby League has made public part of the report of the managers of the League touring team, who give as reasons for financial failure: ' (1) The coal strike in England; (2) adverse press criticism at the beginning of the tour; (3) the prices charged for admission at various games; (4) internal troubles in the team. The joint managers summarise the causes of the defeats as follows: vl) Lack of a, hooker; (2) failure of the forwards to pack properly land put their weight in the scrum; (3) the failure of the forwards to adapt themselves to English conditions by remaining as forwards, and not breaking up too quickly, they were too eager to function as backs ; (4) the failure of backs to' adapt themselves to English conditions, particularly in defence, owing to the formation; (5) bad goal kicking; (6) the failure to secure the ball from, the scrum; (7) lack of a keen team spirit, owing to internal trouble. The bad goal kicking was principally attributable to the very bad selection of balls at the team’s disposal. Many matches were lost owing to kicks under the goal posts being missed. At one stage of the tour 18 successive tries were scored and not one. goal was kicked.