RUGBY VISITORS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23431, 22 August 1939, Page 12

RUGBY VISITORS

ARRIVAL OF FIJIANS INITIAL TOUR IN DOMINION TEAM'S IMPRESSIVE PHYSIQUE OPENING MATCH TO-MORROW Fit and well after their trip from Suva, the 22 Fijian football players, who arrived in Auckland by the Monowai yesterday morning, form the first Fijian Rugby team ever to undertake a trip abroad. The team left for Rotorua soon after disembarking. The first match of the four weeks' tour will be played against tho Hay of Plenty Maori representatives at Rotorua to-morrow. Confidence that the side would give a good account of itself in New Zealand was expressed by tho managers, Messrs. J. 13. K. Taylor and J. H. F. Wiley. The side was composed of young players, solid, keen and very fit. The authorities and players in Fiji had been looking forward to the visit with great interest for the past four years. Used to Heavy Grounds To the touring players, New Zealand meant Rugby football. Mr. Taylor said. Big things were expected if the tour is successful. New Zealanders seem to have the impression that the grounds in Fiji are hard and sun-baked, and that the heavy grounds often experienced in the Dominion would find the visitors at a disadvantage. This was not the case, as the fields were frequently sodden and the rainfall was high. Those who saw the Fijian players on arrival yesterday we're much impressed by their physique. Karlv attention was drawn to their presence on board the ship, people on the wharf being fascinated by the tuneful singing of a Fijian song as the Monowai drew into Prince's Wharf. included in the official party to welcome the team wore Mr. M. McKenzie. president qf the New Zoaland Mugbv Union; Mr. S. S. Dean, chairman of the Council of the New Zealand Rugby Union; Mr. H. Frost, president of the Auckland Rugby Union; Mr. A. A. Baker, chairman of the management committee of tlio Auckland 1 nion; and members of the committee. Mr. Gilbert Smith represented the North Auckland Rugby Union. Members of the Fijian hockey team, which has just concluded a successful tour of the Auckland Province, and Maori Rugby players were also present. Welcome by Officials In welcoming the visitors. Mr. McKenzie said that the New Zealand ' iJ,aori team that visited Fiji last year was well received and this tour afforded an excellent opportunity for the New Zealand Union to reciprocate. He hoped that tho present visit would be the forerunner of many more. Mr. Dean, who was one of the managers of the New Zealand Maori tour last season, said that he had pleasant memories of that visit and he was delighted to welcome the Fijians. He felt certain that the tourists' high standard of play would be a surprise to all New Zealand Rugby enthusiasts. Mr. Taylor mentioned in replying that the game was making great progress in Fiji and that good form was at present being shown by footballers in the islands. Mr. Dean accompanied the team to Rotorua yesterday, and Mr. Frost will travel with the side to Whan garni and Taumarunui. Mr. Kingi Tahiwi will take the team on the rest of its North Island engagements, and for the South Island portion of tho tour Mr. McKenzie will accompany tho team. CANTERBURY TEAM MATCH WITH AUCKLAND KEENNESS OF SOUTHERNERS LATE AFTERNOON TRAINING The Canterbury Rugby team, which pays a visit to Auckland but once every four years, arrived from Rotorua by train yesterday afternoon. The visitors played Hawke's Bay at Napier on Saturday and travelled to Rotorua the following day. By some mishap no midday meal was' provided on that long journey, and so dinner and a good night's rest at Rotorua were much appreciated. Following another train journey yesterday, the southerners were very keen' to have a run, and in less than an hour after the arrival of the Rotorua express every member of the Canterbury party,..including the manager, Mr. A. I. Cottrell, a former All Black, was exercising and training at Victoria Park. Further training will he indulged in at Eden Park this morning. Although a little light in the forwards, the Canterbury , men showed ability at handling the ball and in [ dribbling yesterday afternoon. The 1 backs had a fine work-out and impressed the onlookers with their speed and accurate passing. Included in the southern combination are C. Williams, a forward member of the New Zealand team which toured' Australia last year; G. T. Nolan, fullback, and R. L. Roberts, threequarter, South ' Island representatives; J. MoAuliife, New Zealand University, halfback.. The latter is captain of the side. . Much interest will centre in the appearance of J. S. Cartwright, a wingthreequarter, who is regarded by southern critics as having excellent prospects of selection for the All Black team to tour South Africa next year. Tli centrc-threequarter. A. G. Hunter, is a nephew of .T. Hunter, the former Taranaki five-eighths, and a member of the famous 1000 All Blacks. The manager stated last evening that lie expected the Canterbury team to he improved by the match against Hawke's Bay, and to give Auckland a keen contest. It will be remembered that when Canterbury last visited Auckland four years ago it lifted tho Ranfurl.v Shield.

The. Canterbury team staying at the Commercial Hotel. The players will be the guests of the Auckland Rugby Union at the latter's annual ball at the Cabaret Metropole to-morrow evening, and will leave for tlio south on Thursday.