FOOTBALL TOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23087, 12 July 1938, Page 14

FOOTBALL TOUR

DOMINION PLAYEKS ■ . * RETURN FROM AUSTRALIA VALUABLE EXPERIENCE GAINED HEMI POPULAR ATTRACTION "In future tours Now Zealand will have to concentrate 011 big, strong fornards who can also hold their opponents in open play," said Mr. .J. A. Rcdwood, co-manager of the New Zealand Rugby League team, which returned to Auckland yesterday from Sydney by the Aorangi. "The players in their nine matches in Australia have gained considerable experience, which should prove beneficial to tho code in the Dominion." Mr. Redwood said that the tour had been a success financially and the team had greatly impressed enthusiasts in Australia. Critics considered that it was the best New Zealand team which had yet toured the Commonwealth. The two defeats suffered by the tourists in Queensland were duo chiefly to the close formation adopted by the homo players. This almost amounted to "shepherding" and the New Zealanders found it difficult to counter. Australian Standard

Referring to the standard in Australia, Mr. Redwood said that New South Wales and Queensland were practically equal in strength. The open Style of play adopted by the Now Zealanders had proved very popular with the Australian public and the team was well received in all centres. A pleasing feature of the tour was the work of the Australian officials, who left 110 stone unturned to make it a success. "lleiui was undoubtedly tho outstanding back on the tour,' continued Mr. Redwood, "and he was always a popular attraction. liis sensational goal in Brisbane, which he kicked from 10 yards beyond half-way, would ne\ or bo forgotten and he received a remarkable ovation for his effort. Tittleton stood out for excellent defence, while J. Smith and Kay were also impressive, Kay especially for his ability to penetrate. Tho hookers, Orman and Satherley, were able to gain their fair share of the ball toward the end of the tour. All tho forwards played well and it was unfortunate that Tetley, batherley and Gault were injured." Proposed Tour There was a possibility of a Now South Wales country team touring New Zealand before tho end of the season, said Mr. Redwood. Arrangements had not yet been finalised, as to make the tour a success the team would have to visit other centres besides Auckland. The coach of tho New Zealand team, Mr. T. A. McClymont, was of the opinion that the standard in New Zealand was on a par with that in Australia. The Australian standard, however, was not up to that of three years aco. The hard grounds had troubled tho New Zealanders, some of whom had failed to reveal their best form. Australian players were very clever at plaving the ball and he had been impressed with the ability ot schoolboys there in this phase of the game. WELCOME HOME TRADITIONS UPHELD A reception wap tendered to the Dominion players at the Commercial Hotel last evening on behalf of the New Zealand Rugby League. Mr. H. Wilson, deputy chairman of the New Zealand League, in welcoming tho players home, congratulated them on their success and efforts both 011 and off the field. . , Mr. G. Grey Campbell. 011 behalr of the Auckland Rugby League, said how pleased Auckland enthusiasts were with the splendid reports which came through about the team during its tour. He hoped that the players would go back to their various clubs and give them the experience which they had gained. From all reports the team had been a credit to New Zealand and also to the League code. Mr, J. A. Redwood, co-manager ot the team, in thanking the New Zealand League for the welcome home, said that the tour generally speaking had been very successful. The players had been so much a credit to the Dominion that he himself was proud as manager to be a New Zealander. Mr. W. 0. Carlaw, co-manager, said that the tour was undoubtedly a forerunner to other tours, which were going to make the game in New Zealand. He was extremely proud of the conduct of the players and no side in the future could uphold better traditions. The captain of the touring team, A. McNeight, said that all the players had given of their best. They had learned a great deal from the tour which after all was the main object. The players would undoubtedly pass on the experience they had gained. The coach, Mr. A. T. McClymont, 'said that he had no complaints to make. The players always attended strictly to training and the performance of the tourists was really good. It was the duty of tho players to make the lessons they had learned part of New Zealand football. SYDNEY TEAM'S VISIT FINANCIAL GUARANTEES (Received July 11, 8.50 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 11 Tho Sun's Rugby League writer warns Sydney and country League clubs who received an invitation to tour New Zealand, that it would be •unwise to expect New Zealand to provide financial guarantees foe such tours. Tho writer adds that tho profit on the Now Zealand team's recent tour of Australia, after making weekly allowances to the players, was only about £3OO - *_ MATCH NEXT SATURDAY TEAM TO MIOET AUCKLAND

The New Zealand team will play the Auckland representatives at Carlaw Park next Saturday. The team which is chosen to meet Auckland will be practically the same as that which defeated New South Wales. Tho New Zealand side will be selected from the following players: — Fullback.—Hemi.

Th reef)ttar tors. — I', Chase, Kay, Tittleton, Smith, Midglev (one to be omitted). Five-eighths.—W. I'. Rrimble. Halfback.—W. Rrimble, Grotto (one to

be omitted) Forwards.—McNeight, Orman, Cootes

McLeod. Glynn, Anderson. Reserves. —Brodriek, Herring. Katherley, Tetley. Gault and Brown were not available.