LOSS TO THE GAME

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19802, 18 May 1934, Page 13

LOSS TO THE GAME

REX KING LEAVING FOR ENGLAND. Rugby football in Canterbury will suffer a big loss in the departure of Mr Rex King for England next month. An old boy of Timaru High School, King is a school teacher, but he is among those whose progress in that profession has been hampered by the depression. He states that his movements in England are uncertain, but he will go to a school of art if circumstances are favourable. As a Rugby footballer he is wellknown throughout New Zealand, and has been one of the mainstays of the Canterbury forward pack for a number of years. Learning his football at the Timaru Boys’ High School, King was five times capped in the school fifteen. On leaving school he immediately found a place in the senior fifteen of the Star Club, Timaru, and in 1929 represented South Canterbury. Coming to Christchurch m the following year he played for Varsity and gained a place in the Canterbury representative team. He also represented Canterbury in 1931, 1932, and 1933. Altogether he has played in 27 matches for Canterbury. He was a member of the Sydenham team which won the Canterbury Rugby Union’s senior championship last season. Playing for Canterbury against the British team in 1930 King scored the try that turned the fortunes of the match in Canterbury’s favour. In the following year he toured Australia with the New Zealand University representative fifteen. He has proved himself a great try-getter. Playing against Hawke’s Bay in 1930 he scored three consecutive tries for Canterbury. This is probably a New Zealand record for a forward. He is one of the best rovers that South Canterbury has produced, showing a fine sense of anticipation that keeps him right up with play both on attack and defence.

King will leave New Zealand by the Remuera from Auckland on June 9. On the trip to England he will have the company of the New Zealand team that will take part in the Empire Games in London.