NEPIA'S DEPARTURE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22260, 7 November 1935, Page 16

NEPIA'S DEPARTURE

TURNOVER TO LEAGUE NO QUARREL WITH RUGBY NEEDS MONEY FOR FARM [BT TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] GISBORNE, Wednesday George Nepia, one of the greatest fullbacks seen on the Rugby field, leaves Gisborne to-morrow for Auckland, where he will join the Akaroa, which sails on Friday for England. There ho will join up with the newlyformed London League Club on two years' engagement. The terms offered him include a signing fee of £SOO, wages all the year round and also the expenses of the trip Home and back to New Zealand. In conversation with a reporter, Nepia stressed that his departure was through no feeling of dissatisfaction with the Rugby Union authorities, but simply with "the view to securing the finance required for his farm on the East Coast.

"Some rumours have been circulated that 1 am dissatisfied becauso I was not chosen in the All Black team now at Home," said Nepia, "but 1 wish to give that a flat and emphatic denial. I have not the slightest feelings of dissatisfaction with the .Rugby Union people, and my non-selection had nothing to do with my decision. "Farm Has Suffered" "I find it very hard indeed to turn over, for I have always looked on Rugby as sacred, and I certainly never imagined that the time would come when 1 should be making the change. I realise fully that it is to Rugby Union that I owe my present position, and it is very hard indeed to turn it down now. Farmers have had difficult times for years now," proceeded Nepia, "and my farm has suffered with the rest —even more so, since 1 have often been away playing Rugby. I need money to carry on, and there are few sources from which it can be secured now. This offer came at the right time, and was the only chance in sight, so naturally I took it. With the £SOO I will be able to set the farm thoroughly right again, and I don't see how else I could have done so. After all, one cannot live by football in later years, and I have to think of my family." N Two Years' Engagement Nepia explained further that his engagement was for two years with the newly-formed London League club known as Stretham Miteham. On signing up he would receive £SOO in a lump sum, and his expenses both ways would bo paid. The question of the wage he would receive had not been settled vet, but he had been guaranteed at least £3 10s a week throughout the two years. Probably it would be higher than the sum mentioned, and in addition there would in all likelihood be a bonus for matches won, this being the usual custom. Ho added that he hoped his wife would be able to join him in the Old Country. Nepia commented that he was especially pleased to think he would be joining old friends when he reached London. Charlie Smith, the Wairoa threequarter, George Harrison, of Taranaki, and McDonald, of Marlborough, three members of the Maori team which had such a successful tour in Australia last season, would be among his club mates in Britain.