English Leaguers Back in Auckland

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 443, 27 August 1928, Page 13

English Leaguers Back in Auckland

STRENUOUS TOUR ENDS MR. OSBORNE TO RETIRE Having completed their tour of the Dominion, and clinched both "ashes” and the League Rugby supremacy of the world, the visiting English Leaguers arrived back in Auckland from the South this morning. They will leave by the mail steamer Niagara to-morrow for Vancouver. As the express pulled into the Auckland station this morning it bore a very tired band of English Leaguers. Hard, continuous travelling, in which was intermingled two test matches and others, told a tale on the tourists, and their performance in winning all the games in the South is indeed a remarkable feat, and says much for the general fitness and health of the team. On his arrival, Mr. Osborne, team manager of the Englishmen, remarked that although the tour of the South Island had certainly been most trying. every member of the team thoroughly enjoyed it, and throughout they had been a very happy family. At every centre in the South they were accorded a civic reception, and the enthusiasm shown augured well for the future of the game in the South Island. THE FINAL TEST “Naturally,” said Mr. Osborne, “we were pleased at winning the third test at Christchurch on Saturday. It was a magnificent tussle from start to finish, ;iiui considering there was so much at stake, it was a particularly clean game. •'One thing we have noticed is that the Neyv Zealand teams do not make so much use of their backs as they do in Australia, and on Saturday the. New Zealand threequarter line did not get many chances to show what it could do. As usual, our forwards played a great game, and with Parkin’s generalship in the backs, it enabled us to carry the day. At the same time, New* Zealand put ujo a wonderful fight.” “This is my second visit to Australia and New Zealand,” continued Mr. Osborne, “and I have had had nothing but pleasant memories of both tours. I have been a long time in the gamo now, and when I get back to England I propose to retire from the administration of the game. Naturally. I am glad to be going back with the team which has won the ashes.” The Englishmen will leave by the Niagara for Vancouver to-morrow morning, where they will play an exhibition game. They are also fixed to give an exhibition at Montreal.