LEAGUE TOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23274, 17 February 1939, Page 18

LEAGUE TOUR

NEW ZEALAND TEAM COMING VISIT TO ENGLAND BIG EXPENSES INVOLVED Although it is early yet to talk of the New Zealand Rugby League team's tour of England nest winter, the continued absence of official information from the Dominion is a trifle puzzling, says a writer in the Manchester Evening Chronicle. Beyond the official acceptance of the parent body's invitation nothing seems to have been fixed up.

It was expected that the mid-week meeting of the management committee would, throw some light on the undertaking, but no official intimation was forthcoming, and, presumably, the authorities are just as much, in the, dark as the man in the street. Admittedly, ample time remains to confirm arrangements, but, all the same, a, little definite news would be reassuring. The chief trouble appears to be that of hitting upon a suitable arrival date. Originally,, the suggested date of arrival was some time in August Bank Holiday week, which would have guaranteed a game on the official opening day of the season and ample time for preparation, but would also have involved the touring party in a heavy expenses bill.

This has been estimated at between £7OO and £IOOO, which would certainly take some wiping off, no matter how successful financially the tour may turn out. And, with all due respect ito the "All Blacks," there is scarcely (such glamour attached to their tours an to those of an Australian side. DATE OF OPENING MATCH DIFFERENCE EST CONDITIONS An alternative proposal aims at an arrival on Monday, August 28—two days after the official opening of the season —which would give the _ party four days to prepare for their first ■engagement on September 2. Not much time, I agree, yet it may be more acceptable to the New Zealand authorities than having the millstone of a big expenses bill round their necks. Yet, recalling the experiences of the Australian party last season, doubts begin to arise. I attribute the comparative non-success of the 1937-8 Australian party to this hurried arrival amd their inability to prepare systematically before , being plunged into match-play. No touring side can straightway hope to do itself justice under such conditions.

We have already seen this demonstrated by English teams in Australia who have been confronted with similar travel difficulties. How often have oiiir touring sides started indifferently amd only attained their natural form by the time the tests _ came along? The chief difference lies in the financial aspect of such undertakings. _ An English team in Australia is, relatively speaking, assured of a even before a game is played—such is the appeal of international rivalry. But conditions here are different, and the same cannot be said of this forthcoming visit of the New Zealanders. Everybody is aware how > seriously the "gates" at the Australian games last winter dwindled following the indifferent start of the touring party. True, the weather was also most unkind, but, with the fate of the "Ashes" decided in the second test, the remaining fixtures were mostly un-m-imunerative. NEW ZEALAND'S PROBLEM REDUCED ADMISSION SUGGESTED There is real danger that the New Zealanders will encounter similar snags if the later arrival is adhered to. I am well aware that our authorities have advised the latter course, but, after all, they are not responsible for the financial success of the undertaking. As I see it, the New Zealand officials have to decide between an early arrival and a big expenses bill before a match is played and a late start with possible loss of form, and apparently no middle course is open to them.

Personally, I would prefer to see the team arrive with plenty of time to spare and take the field thoroughly twined up and acclimatised. If the men are as good as is hinted they will be, the initial expenses item might bo cleared off more rapidly than some people suppose. I urge the authorities to seriously consider a reduction in popular-side prices for the "All Blacks' " visit. I lave little doubt that part of the comparative apathy for the Australians' ordinary fixtures last season could be attributed to the two-shilling levy then imposed. This was freely resented, and I have no doubt that a drop to one and sixpence would be welcome. By all means keep the two-shilling charge for tests, county games and other representative fixtures, but it is too much to expect the Rugby League follower to pay double rate for an ordinary club game, no matter how attractive. Don't forget, too, that it is a question of "all pay" at these tourists' matches, and concessions such as unemployed reductions and facilities for season ticket holders go by the board.

COUNTER-ATTRACTION

AUSTRALIAN RUGBY SIDE

Just another matter for the authorities to heed. Next winter will find a rival Rugby counter-attraction in our midst in the shape of the Australian Rugby Union touring team. True, iihe scopd of their activities will be much wider than that of the New iiealanders, but the possibility of prejudicing the financial success of the professional combination is one to keep in mind. There is room for both sides, but in drawing up the fixture list the Rugby League will do well to avoid any clashing with such games the Australians may fix up in the North of England.