FOOTBALLERS RETURN

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8180, 23 July 1912, Page 1

FOOTBALLERS RETURN

LEAGUE TOURING TEAM DELIGHTED WITH AUSTRALIAN HOSPITALITY. A MATTER OF DISCIPLINE. PEESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, July 22. Now Zealand representatives of the Rugby League game arrived in Auckland this morning by tho Wimmcra after a successful tour iu the Austro hau Commonwealth. Except for a number of injuries of a minor character tho players are in' the best of health, and without exception speak enthusilistically of the games and of tho unbounded hospitality of tho Australian footballers. Mr ’William Dervan, the well-known Auckland player, who was ono of tho party, said that tho Australians had assured them that they wore tho best Northern Union combination that had visited the Commonwealth. “I don’t knew about that,” said Mr Dervan with a laugh, “but, taking everything into consideration, wo came out with a fair proportion of wins. Wo could never have been expected to get that first match. It was nothing short of murder to take seasick players off tho steamer and put us up against a team that had been playing together like a concertina for months.” Mr Dervan thought that, with a little luck, they should have gained the Australian game, but otherwise the teams won on their, merits.

Questioned in regard to the trouble that has arisen between the New Zealand Council and the team in regard to the arrangements for the players to return to the Dominion, the big forward, had nothing to say, it having boon decided to make nothing publio until the whole question ,is inquired into by the council. The'.players express keen annoyance at the fact that ih; Sydney they were termed "strikers” without any opportunity having been given them to justify the position they took'up in the matter.