AUSTRALIAN TOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22155, 8 July 1935, Page 10

AUSTRALIAN TOUR

MAORI FOOTBALLERS WELCOME IN SYDNEY GREAT PUBLIC INTEREST STRENUOUS GAMES AHEAD T3y Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received .Tilly 7. 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY. .Tuly 7 j Tho Maori Rugby team arrived from New Zealand by tho Wanga.nella. Mr. Kingi Tahiwi (manager) stated that the members of the team were all in high spirits and tho best of health. They had had a good trip ; across the Tasrnan. ' The team attended a Rugby Union j reception yesterday in tho morning jvnd practised in tho afternoon. The Maoris will leave for Queensland to-morrow and will play their first Tnatch at Warwick on Wednesday. The .■newspapers featuro tho news of their arrival. Speaking at tho official reception, tho chairman of the New South Wales •Rugby Union, Mr. W. Hill, and the international player Cyril Towers, emphasised that the Maoris had «3ono a great deal toward enhancing New Zealand's fine football reputation. Mr. Tahiwi, in replying, said: "Our iboys aro full of 'pep' and we are going to mako the games as bright as you jrant them." Strong Queensland Team Ohosen The co-manager, Mr. W. J. Wallace, said: " Our boys have promised they >vill throw the ball about and they will keep their word." Nopia added: " We know you like a spectacular game and wo aro going to play it." Reedy won admiration for his leadership of a haka, the performance of which always arouses great interest in [Australia. Many spectators displayed great interest in the Maoris' practice in tho afternoon. Thoy were particularly impressed by the speed of the forwards. The Maoris' first serious test will bo against Queensland next Saturday. The selected local team is strong, containing nine Australian representatives, namely, Bennett, Lewis, McLean, Hayes, Birmingham, Bonis, Ritter, Doneley and Whyatt. Critics generally agree that if the visitors make a showing against this eide their tour will be a great success. Tho complete Queensland team is:— Fullback. —F. Vincent. Threequarters.—D. McLean, E. Hayes, N. Ward and J. Kirwan. Five-eighths.—L. Lewis. Halfback. —G. Bennett (captain). Forwards. —V. t Birmingham, E. Bonis, J. Ritter, B. Doneley, V. Wilson, K. Suter, F. Whyatt, D. Nicholson. [Reserves. —H. Stumm, A. Wildman, P. Dij;on and E. James. Warwick's Doughty Player There is general regret that Stumm failed to make the side, as he is to leave for Oxford shortly as Queensland's Rhodes scholar. Doneley is a phenomenal goal kicker. He has scored 100 points this season and 100 for Queensland in throe seasons. The Queensland Union has not decided whether to mako tho match on July 20 one against an Australian fifteen or one against Queensland. Everything depends upon the showing of tho visitors this; week. The standard of Maori team 3 in the past has caused great public interest. Nepia's men will be feted in Queensland as no other native team has been. The first game against Warwick on Wednesday will be a tougher test than •was first imagined, as tho Warwick pack contains many big farmers who play like supermen on their home ground. Warwick already has beaten Brisbane and the team contains seven inter-State men this season.