MAORI PIONEER TEAM.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14940, 19 June 1919, Page 3

MAORI PIONEER TEAM.

The Maori Pioneer football team arrived by the Arahura this morning from Napier, and -May on Saturday against a team representing Poverty Bay. Captain J. H. Hall is m charge of the .team,; and is manager also. v Tncy played a match at Napier on Saturday last, and .; won by 25 points to 10. The iiiembers Comprise no less -than six decorated men, •* one of whom,, ■<■• Capt. Vercoe, has a . double , decoration— -the D.S.3VI. ■ and D.S.O. The other •■decorated "men include Rogers, Rbtoatara, Barclay (2),- and Gardiner. All. are'returned men with a lengthy period- of service to their credit, and comprise: Captain J. H. Hall (capt)., Captain Vercoe, Lieutenants J. Ormond, Barclay,. Ahana, Apanui, Jacob, G. Gardiner, Wilkinson, Rotoatara, Amohangaha, and Rogers, Sergeants Carroll, Barclay, Mopu, Teurupu, and Rogers, Corporals Edwards, Hing^ton, Pirihi, and Private Kingston.

In conversation with a reporter Captain Hall said he desired to say a worn m acknowledgement of the hospitality extended them by the people throughout their six weeks' tour of the Dominion.. All were 1914-15 men returned soldiers, and practically all of them were nondrinkers. This team played hi Egypt, Europe, and England. In Egypt seven matches were played, and one was lost to a Wellington team. In Europe the team won 17 matches and lost none, even defeating the famous, Welsh Guards' team. In England seven matches were played, and only one was lost, and tliat was to a small club called Ellanlly, when the Pioneer team put m a relieving team, which was of a weaker nature. While m England the Pioneers defeated the Royal Navy Division men, considered to be the best team m England at the time. Referring to the New Zealand tour, he v said tney were defeated by Otago, Christchurch, and Auckland, but defeated Invercargill. Palmerston North, Napier, and Hawke's Bay, and drew with Wellington. I "This team is not on tour as a foot-i [ball team only," he said, "one of our ambitions is to elevate the sport and | increase the interest of the game to the i public. For that reason we are the only "'team to abolish the wing forward .and plky him as a roving back, which tends to keep niay m the paddock the whole time. The team has- endeavored to and has obtained a reputation for clean, swift play, without brutality." The New Zealand tour, he added, was arranged on the trip back. When they left England! the matter was* discussed of establishing a Maori football club m Hawke's Bay. Several meetings were held on the transport. It was decided ujtimately to get as much: money as possible together, and.- to arrange for the team to travel oh their privilege passes for this purpose. "Maoris have never 'had a fair chance m New Zealand football matches," he said; "it is nobody's fault, but I think that by -forming' a club m Hawke's Bay under the auspices of the New Zealand Rugby Union, and affiliating, by de^ positing a fairly large sum m their funds a Maori team could be raised each year, and recommendations of players would be received from various Rugby Unions throughout the Dominion. The team met together on May 14th, and played the first match' on the 17th, when they defeated Napier by 9 to 6. "The Maori is the keenest player m the world," added Captain Hall. In 1911 I saw the North Island team play the South at Wellington, when all the backs were Maoris, and all scored tries. The Gisborne players wero Kaipara and Ryland."

Sir James' Carroll's nephew. Sergeant Carroll, is secretaiy to the team, and Lieutenant Ormond treasurer, while Captain Hall is chairman.

Captain Pitt wired Captain Hall and was successful m arranging for the team to visit Gisborne, although to do this the Wairarapa visit had to be cut out.

The average weight per member is 13 Btone, and most of tho players are about 6 feet m height. They are touring as returned' soldiers, and not as footballers of pre-war days. The am.bition of the team is to elevate the sport m the eyes of the general public by excluding brutality, and by oon-. .tinuovus and consistent play. Captin Haillj and Captain Vercoe are both veteran players, and represented Auckland for nine years. I Arrangements have been made to suitably receive the team. This morning, they were the guests of Sir James and Lady Carroll, and were introduced to local natives, and later entertained at luncneon.

To-night a concert and reception is to be held m the Club, when all soldier members and lady friends are invited. '

This is the last match to be played on tour, the members proceeding to Tolaga Bay by steamer on Thursday . next to attend the unveiling ceremony to the late Lieutenants Kohere and &aa, who were killed m action. The 'members then return to their respective homes.