MAORIS’ AUSTRALIAN TOUR

Northern Advocate, 15 June 1935, Page 2

MAORIS’ AUSTRALIAN TOUR

NEPIA’S INCLUSION WILL BE WELCOMED.

Who would think for one moment that the world’s greatest Rugby custodian, George Nepia, could substitute for Don Bradman? Not a soul. Of course not. But from the angle the forthcoming tour of the Maoris is being viewed on this side of the Tasman, the native team will be as complete

without Nepia as an Australian Eleven

without Don Bradman (writes Ted Turner to the N.Z. Sportsman). Nepia will add interest tenfold to the tour. In 1924, and only for a few minutes, did we catch a glimpse of the nineteen-year-old Maori lad who was on the threshold of creating a world’s record in playing appearances on tour and displaying brilliance that many critics regard has never been equalled. In the first few minutes of the first match in Australia before the Invincibles left for abroad did Nepia show his worth. After that he was good but not great in the remaining Sydney games. Eleven years will not have improved him, but what promoter scorns at staging a veteran with a brilliant record behind him and in such circumstances as Nepia? And where is the' sporting crowd that will refrain from snapping up the chance to see a world celebrity in action? Australia wants to see George Nepia and compare him with Ross.

The Maori tourists of 1935 will create history on the Australian tour by playing in three States. The team is due to arrive in Sydney on July 7 and will play the first match of the tour at Warwick, Queensland, three days later. The tourists will leave Sydney for the North the day after they arrive. Eleven matches will be played which is one more than any of the many teams to cross the Tasman have engaged in. Four games have been allotted to Queensland —two against the Northern State in Brisbane and one each against Warwick and Toowoomba. The N.S.W. Union, after many conferences and correspondence, has secured three dates on the Sydney Cricket Ground for the Maoris.

The Maoris will see a good deal of Australia. They will play in the west of New South Wales. One game, at least, will be played in Melbourne. There is a possibility ©f two.