GEORGE NEPIA

Southland Times, Issue 22732, 7 November 1935, Page 6

GEORGE NEPIA

BOUND FOR ENGLAND RUGBY LEAGUE ENGAGEMENT REASONS FOR CHANGE (Per United Press Association.) Gisborne, November 6. George Nepia, one of the greatest full-backs seen on the Rugby field, leaves Gisborne to-morrow for Auckland where he joins the Akaroa which sails on Friday for England. There he will join up with the newly formed London League Club on a two years’ engagement. The terms offered him are very tempting, as they include a signing fee of £5OO, wages all the year round and also expenses of the trip home and back to New Zealand. In conversation with a Times reporter, Nepia stressed that his departure was through no feeling of dissatisfaction with the Rugby Union authorities, but simply with a view to securing finance required for his farm on the East Coast. “Some rumours have been circulated that I am dissatisfied because I was not chosen in the All Blacks team now at Home,” said Nepia, “but I wish to give that a flat and emphatic denial. I have not the slightest feelings of dissatisfaction with the Rugby Union people and my non-selection has nothing to do with my decision. I find it very hard indeed to turn over, for I have always looked on Rugby as sacred, and I certainly never imagined that the time would come when I should be making the change. I realize fully that

it is to the Rugby Union that I owe my present position and it is very hard indeed to turn it down now. “Farmers have had a difficult time for years now,” proceeded Nepia, “and my farm has suffered with the rest, even more so since I have often been away playing Rugby. I need money to carry on and there are few sources from which it can be secured. No, this offer came at the right time and was the only chance in sight, so naturally I took it. With the £5OO I will be able to see the farm thoroughly right again and I don’t see how else I could have done so. After all, one cannot live by football in later years, and I have to think of my family.” Nepia explained further that the engagement was for two years with' the newly-formed London League Club, known as Strethan-Mitcham. On signing up he would receive £5OO in a lump sum and his expenses both ways would be paid. The question of the wage he would receive had not been settled yet, but he had been guaranteed at least £3 10/- a week throughout the two years. Probably it would be higher than the sum mentioned and in admitting there would, in all likelihood be a bonus for matches won, this being the usual custom, he added he hoped his wife would be able to join him in the Old Country. Nepia commented that he was especially pleased to think he would be joining old friends when he reached London. Charlie Smith, the Wairoa wing-three-quarter, George Harrison, of Taranaki, and McDonald, of Marlborough, three members of the Maori team which had such a successful tom in Australia last season would be among his club mates in Britain.