LEAGUE TEAM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22799, 5 August 1937, Page 13

LEAGUE TEAM

AUSTRALIAN PIAYEES

PREPARING FOR FIRST TEST PROSPECTS OF THE SIDES SPECIAL TRAIN ARRANGEMENTS The Australian Tfugby League team has been well received by Aucklanders since its arrival by the Awn tea on Tuesday, and yesterday nn interested crowd was impressed by the splendid physique and speed of the visitors, who had a training run at Victoria Park. Both backs and forwards handled the ball remarkably well and there was every indication tbnt tlie visiting players are very fit.

In the first test match against New Zealand at Carlaw Park on Saturday, Australia is expected to field a very strong thirteen, comprising most of the players who will take part in the test series against England. The visitors are not over confident as to their ability to defeat New Zealand. They recognise that the ground conditions, which are likely to bo soft, will not be suited to their style of play. The visiters' team will be announced this afternoon. Ground In Soft State The ground at Carlaw Park has been top-dressed in places, and although it was still in a bad state yesterday, there is every indication that on Saturday the turf will be fairly firm.

H. Mataira, one of the most prominent of the players in training for the Xew Zealand team, is suffering from a poisoued leg and it is unlikely that ho will be considered when the final selection is made this afternoon. Mataira, who is a former All Black Rugby forward, has shown excellent form since he changed over to the League code about six weeks ago. There is also some doubt whether F. Pickrang, whose shoulder was causing him trouble yesterday, will bo available. Ho will undergo a medical examination this afternoon. A. Kav, the Auckland centre-threequartcr, who was injured in a trial match a week ago, is improving, and he is expected to be fit by Saturday. Southern Players Practise

The three southern players, Glynn, West Coast, Davison, Christchurch, and G'ootes, Wellington, had a run at Victoria Park yesterday under the guidance of Mr. J. Amos, one of the New Zealand selectors.

Special train arrangements have been made by the Railways Department to cater for patrons from the North Auckland and Waikato districts. VISITORS WELCOMED RECEPTION AT TOWN HALL KEEN INTEREST IN MATCHES An assurance that the appearances of the Australian Rugby League team in Auckland would arouse great enthusiasm was given by the deputyMayor. the Hon. B. Martin, when tendering the visitors a reception in the Mayor's room at tho Town Hall yesterday. He said that the League code

had a greater following in Auckland than in any other centre in the Dominion, and he expressed the hope that the Australians would have the opportunity during their brief stay of Beeing some"of the city's attractions and experiencing tho warm hospitality oxtended to visitors from tho Commonwealth.

" From tho Maori standpoint it is a great satisfaction to moot you-on the football field," said the Rev. I'. Panapa, who spoko on behalf of tho Maori race. He was alluding to the fact that a match has been arranged between the Australians and tho New Zealand Maori representatives, and he said that such a gesture was a compliment not only to tho present generation of Maori League players, but iflso to the great Maori players of the past. The president of tho New Zealand Hugb.v League. Mr. A. J. Redwood, extended a welcome on behalf of the players and supporters of tho code. He had many pleasant recollections of past Australian teams, he said, and had always found their prowess matched by their popularity. " "We are undertaking a strenuous tour," said the husiness manager of the team, Mr. R. Savage, " and Ave appreciate tho fact that the English authorities saw fit to send us to New Zealand first. Even if ive do something for the game here and are unsuccessful in England we will have accomplished something."

The captain of the team, Mr. W. Prigg, and the players' manager, Mr. PI. Sunderland, also responded. Mr. Sunderland said that the team would produce the best football of which it was capable in the matches in Auckland. RECRUIT FOR VISITORS FRED TOTTEY TO JOIN (Received August 1, 7 p.m.) SYDNEY, August -1 The Australian League footballer Fred Tottey is to sail by the Aorangi to-morrow, all the arrangements for his departure for New Zealand and England having been made. The Board of Control will meet to-morrow evening and will radio permission to Tottey to join the Kangaroos.

Commenting upon tho above cable last evening Mr. H. Sunderland, manager of the Australian team, expressed satisfaction that the Board of Control had altered its original view and was now permitting Tottey to travel with tho Kangaroos. Whether tho hoard desired Tottey to bo merely a traveller with tho party or a i)laying member when pronounced properly fit, Mr. Sunderland did not know. Ho expected advice upon thia point later on: