RUGBY LEAGUE

Southland Times, Issue 20202, 13 June 1927, Page 8

RUGBY LEAGUE

BAN LIFTED NEW ZEALANDERS FOR ENGLAND BROWN AND DAVIDSON ACCEPT ENGAGEMENTS (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, June 11 “Until we have been officially informed that the ban has been lifted, we cannot say anything.” In these words Mr Snedden, president of the New Zealand Rugby League, withheld an official pronouncement on the cabled news that the English Rugby League by 20 votes to 9 had cancelled the agreement with Australia and New Zealand restricting the signing on of players under the two years residential qualification rule. Mr Snedden said the news was probably correct but they had not been officially informed of the lifting of the ban. While withholding any personal views, he said “when the team was at home, an effort was made to lift the ban but it was defeated, largely through the instrumentality of the New Zealand and Australian representatives but now it would seem that the English Clubs, who wanted it lifted then, have been successful.” This morning L. Brown received the following from the Wigan Club, “Ban removed. Am booking passages for Davidson, his wife and you first available boat. (Signed) Taylor, secretary Wigan Rugby League Club.” Interviewed, Davidson said he was naturally disappointed when the New Zealand authorities refused to sanction his clearance but he was delighted that he was now able to go. The reason why the first cable came from Hull was because he had previously been asked by that club to play before signing a formal contract to play for Wigan if permission were granted. Brown in expressing his pleasure, states he would have liked to have left with the sanction of the New Zealand League rather than that release should have come in this way. He would go of course as soon as he could straighten up his affairs and he expected that Davidson would go with him.