RUGBY LEAGUE TEST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21248, 30 July 1932, Page 6

RUGBY LEAGUE TEST

ENGLAND V. NEW ZEALAND EIGHTEENTH MATCH TO-DAV RECORD OF PREVIOUS GAMES Tlio / eighteenth Rugby League test natch between England anil New Zealand will bo played at Carlnw Park this afternqon. Considerable interest has been aroused in the game throughout the Dominion as the visitors proved superior to Australia, where the League code is extensively played. In all 17 test matches havo been played between tho two countries. England has won 12, while New Zealand has been successful in 5. Fostered by tho visits of English teams tho coilo in New Zealand has made gradual progress, particularly in Auckland, where good crowds witness club matches each Saturday. It is interesting to nolo that New Zealand was tho iirst overseas team to visit England, and that combination, best known as " All Golds," had a most successful lour. Tho League game had not been played previously by many of the team, but it proved worthy exponents of the new code, and won 20 matches, losing 13, while two wero drawn. England was defeated in two test matches out of three games. In 1910 England first visited New Zealand and played only four games. In the only test England defeated New Zealand by 52 points to 20. Again, in 1914, England won by 16 points to 13, after a great game, in which New Zealand was considered' unlucky to lose. The test matches in 1920 resulted as follows First test: England, 31; New Zealand, 7. Sccoul test: England, 19; New Zealand 3. Third test: England, 11; .New Zealand, 10. In 1924 New Zealand proved too good lor England, and tho Dominion thirteen made a fino impression by winning two tost matches out of three. 'lhe scores wero us follows:—First test: New Zealand,, 16; England, 8. Second test: New Zealand, 13; England, 11. Third test: England, 31; New Zealand, 18. A New Zealand team toured England in 1926 and was beaten in all three test matches. On . tho last occasion on which England visited New Zealand, in 1928, the Dominion team won only one of the three test matches played. The results were as follows:—First i est: New Zealand, 17; England, 13. Iflecond test: England, 13; New Zealand, fi. Third test: England, 6; New Zealand, For to-day's gamo tho New Zealand selectors have witnessed 6overal trial matches before finally choosing the thirteen. A week's intensive training has been indulged in under the supervision of Mr. W. Kelly, a well-known Australian coach. The home team has displayed keenness in its work and should be a fit side this afternoon. It is interesting to note that two players, Brisbane and; O'Brien, played against England in 1924 and 1928, while List, Hult and Timms represented New Zealand on the last visit. P. Hart, West Coast, wfio was selected in the original thirteen is unable to play owing to an injured leg. R. Smith, the Devonport five-eighths, has been chosen to fill his place on the wing. Prospects for tho match are greatly in favour England, but New Zealand may do better than is generally anticipated. The visitors are an exceptionally strong combination. Their brilliant football inspired big crowds in Australia, where the present team is considered stronger than liny previous sido. f ======