LEAGUE GAME AT HOME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20561, 12 May 1930, Page 16

LEAGUE GAME AT HOME.

NEW ZEALAND PLAYERS.

TROUBLE WITH ST. HELENS

GREAT PRAISE FOR L. BROWN

Special to llkhai.d, ]IY J. N. SHERWOOD. LONDON. April, y. Unit, Hard grave and Hall, tlio three New Zealanders who, on the ove of their team's cup fight with Wigan in the semifinal round of the Rugby League Cup, threatened not to turn out, only to Lo talked over by the Mayor of St. Helens, will have the honour of appearing at Wembley in the final of the Cup. And it looks as though these three splendid players will, when tlio season ends be wearing a Cup winner's gold medal on their watch chains.

The New Zealand trio have played a very big part in helping St. Helens to reach the final. They each played a rare game in knocking out Wigan, a chit, which hopes to build up lo its pre-war prominence by inducing still more New Zealanders to join their camp. There is no doubt that the introduction of New Zealand talent in English Rugby League makes for a better standard of football, hence the desire of clubs to securo your men, for not only do they lead to more victories, but their football, as a rule, is also of the sort that attracts the populace. Regarding the future of Hall, Hardgravo and Hutt, the trouble has not been settled. What the players have done is to put aside their grievance, as loyal servants of their club, but only until such timo as the matter can bo thrashed out.

It is understood that unless St. Helens levises the agreements, as requested by the players, then tho latter will seek fresh quarters next season. It is possible that an inquiry may be held by the Rugby League into tlio whole question, and that St. Helens will have to produce the agreements made with the players. Ono of the finest players in Wigan's defeated cup-tio side was L. Brown, the New Zcaiander who it can be said is probably the most gifted of all overseas players in English Rugby . League. I have seen Brown several times this season, and not once has ho failed, to rise to the occasion.

In this Cup semi final match, had it not been for tho New Zealander, St. Helens would have won by an overwhelming score. He was one of the greatest players on the field and revealed a number of outstanding qualities, Falwasser, another New. Zcaiander who came out this way a few months ago, has so far not done any 100 well. Like Brown, he is with tho Wigan club, but to be candid, lie has not come up to expectations, and though he has put, in one or two appearances with tho first team; he 13 more often to be found in tho reserve combination.