MAORIS LEAVE FOR HOME

New Zealand Times, Volume LIV, Issue 12650, 10 January 1927, Page 6

MAORIS LEAVE FOR HOME

DELIGHTED BY THEIR TOUR INTERESTING IMPRESSIONS. Australian and N Z. Cable Association. LONDON. January 7. Merrily singing the “Froth-blowers’ Anthem,” and performing a farewell liaka, 26 members of the Maori team left Euston station for Liverpool, en route for America. Mr IV. T. Parata, the manager, and S. Gemmed," will arrive in Wellington by the Narkunda the day after the team reaches Auckland. Mr Cecil Wray, the New Zealand Rugby Union’s English representative, accompanied the team on the train. Mr Harris, of the team, interviewed, paid a tribute to the kindness and courtesv met everywhere in Britain and France, and said the team were delighted with the ro’sults of the tour. Mr Harris said he was agreeably surprised at the high standard of play in England, where he found an abundance of flrst-class players. He did not wish to excuse the Maori defeats, beyond pointing out that the wet grounds were unsuited to the Maoris’ best form. An earlier selection of English international teams would ensure a spirit of combination and better result;. Considering the short time the French had played Rugby, their standard was marvellous. They had already many stars. Besson was one" of the finest three-quarters he had ever seen. French schools were keenly fostering Rugby, and would provide fine recruits to enhance the standard of play. Barclay, the captain, said that he was satisfied with the results of the tour. Their toughest struggles in Britain were the first match with Newport and the last with Cardiff.