THE MAORI TEAM IN ENGLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 1958, 30 May 1889, Page 27

THE MAORI TEAM IN ENGLAND.

DAMAGING REPORTS.

It appears that the members of Scott's Native team, or some of them at all events, have gained an unenviable notoriety at Home. Witness the following summary of their doings which I cull from the Field, just to hand by the direct mail: — . , ." After a stay extending over six months, the New Zealanders left us this week, having brought their tour to a close at Leytbn on Wednesday last. Their visit had been looked forward to with a good deal of pleasure. A report Iftd certainly gone forth that our dusky brothers were in the habit of playing a very rough game, but this waß not altogether believed in. There was indeed a greater tendency to hope, ii not absolutely to believe, that the tour of the New Zealanders might do as much to benefit the' popular winter game as the visits of Australian cricketers had done for the national summer pastime. That this hope has been realised can scarcely be said ; indeed, we have heard no wish expressed that another team from the same quarter may soon again be- with us, -though, should such an event occur, it is beyond douhfc that the members of it would be welcomed; X At the majority of the New Zealand matches large attendances have been commanded j but there has not been tliat feverish arcriety to witness

their' play that -was shoWn in 1 thecase of the early visits of antipodean crioketers". l 'This comparison may by some be considered unfair, but not by those'who are aware that the followers of football, 1 in point of numbers, compare most favourably with the patrons of cricket, this being more especially the case in respect to the Northern and Midland counties. The reason of this lack of more than ordinary interest will, we think, be found to rest with the players themselves. The conduct of some members of the team in several of the early matches proved that ruraourhad not lied. It was plainly shown that the education of these men had been obtained in a bad school. Their knowledge of all that is unfair surpassed their acquaintance with the legitimate game, and that is saying a great deal; fdr as a team the New Zealanders were an exceedingly good lot, showing-far superior form to what had been expected. 'The indulgence in these malpractices drew forth much unfavourable criticism^ and' also deterred many from attending the. New Zealanders' matches • who would otherwise have done so. In several ways the English Rugby Union at first gave the New Zealanders very {willing support; but this they practically withdrew after the bad form exhibited by our visitors in connection with the match against England at Blackheath on February 16*. For the conduct of some of the visitor* on this occasion the Rugby Union immediately demanded an Apology, and that the offence was not speedily forgotten can scarcely be wondired ' at considering that the tmende honourtbfo was not made as it should have been. W« regret very much -to hate to write in thia strain, and folly admit the difficulties in the way of controlling such a team.-' There was, however, one remedy open to . our visitors. Though it might have greatly reduced the strength of the- team, the managers would, we think, have done wisely if they had played the mruly members as little as possible. Doubtless this course suggested itself to those in command, , but the sweets of victory evidently proved au overwhelming element in favour of its non-appli-cation.- So far, our- duty has bßen' unpleasant. It is gratifying to reflect that in the large number of their matches the New Zealandmen played with that spirit of fairness so prized by the true sportsman, and that they also proved themselves most worthy opponents. This latter statement it borne out by the success met with. Of 74 matches played victory was gained by our visitors in 49, 20 of the remainder being • lost. They scored in all; 92 goals and 115 tries, I against 43 goals and 59 tries by their opponents. Considering that nearly all bur best clubs were [ met; this can pnlybe viewed in the light of a great performance, and one -which any team may well be proud of, especially as long journeys frequently 1 , had to be undergone between the mafccheJ, and accidents deprived the New Zealanders. at different times of the services of some of their best men. It has been stated that in the course of the next two years another team from New Zealand will probably visit our football centres. It will, we understand, not include any Maori player, and if by the elimination of that element the objectionable features are removed, the team may anticipate most hearty reception. " The tour jnst concluded began with a narrow victory over a somewhat scratch team of Surrey, and- then,' after a rather hollow win over Northamptonshire, thfr visitors beat the County of Kent on the Rectory Field, Blackheath. This latter success was achieved by good fortune, but still to open the ton* with three wins was a most'creditabl.e thing tio do' and a result calculated to give them plenty of confidence. Strange to cay, they failed to hold their own against the club teams of Moseley and Burton-on-Trent, and. of five 'other matches played in the month of October, three .were lost. One of these defeats occurred at Sheffield Park, whsre the team had been invited to oppose Middlesex. Against the county they could make no headway, and yet, if we' mistake not, despite the proof thus afforded that Middlesex had not lost the form of the previous season, the metropolitan county team played but this one match. During the month of November the New Zealanders carried nearly everything before, them, losing but two matches, winning 10, and drawing one. Swinton's victory; was father a narrow affair, but Halifax won easily, scoring four goals and a try to a goal and a try. They commenced December by easily beating All-Ireland, but, singular to relate, Trinity College, Dublin, held their own, and North of Ireland .was beaten by two tries only. The Lancashire match' was lost, but against Yorkshire the result was altogether different. Wales administered defeat to them, and the "N ew Zealanders also lost to Llanelly and Cardiff, the result of the Welsh tour being two wins and 1 three loses. January opened with a reverse at the hands of .Bradford, but only two other defeats were experienced throughout the month. Castleford beat them, and Yorkshire avenged their defeat in the previous match with the New Zealandersr The vanquished' teams included fiomerßetshireandDevonshire. February opened auspiciously, as the colours of Gloucestershire, Midla'ndCounties,Blackh'eath,'anUnited Services were in turn lowered. These were followed^ by the all-important matgh of the tour against England. The result of this was in accord with the popular' idea that the New Zealanders we're by no means sufficiently ..strong to successfully meet the flower of English football, A hard and good game was played by our visitors, but they were overmatched, and , it is 'probable that the victory would have even been more decisive had the conditions of ground and weather been less unfavourable. The London Welsh combination was beaten after a hard fight arid unpleasant match, but both Cambridge and Oxford proved victorious, and each contest was fought, oufc in admirable spirit. In the present month 10 out of 13 matches were won. Halifax, who had earlier in the season been .successful, being amongst the vanquished clubs."