AUSTRALIA KEEN

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19803, 19 May 1934, Page 16

AUSTRALIA KEEN

VISIT OF NEW ZEALAND TEAM The Rugby Union season in Sydney has opened most auspiciously, and already enthusiasts are talking of the New Zealand team's coming visit. The All Blacks have always been given a warm welcome by the Sydney crowds, but, according to the Sydney correspondent of “The Post,” the visit this year is being more keenly anticipated than ever before. In the first place, New South Wales is convinced that it will thoroughly test the All Blacks, and critics say that the New Zealanders will have to be of the very best type —true to the highest traditions of their country—if they are to win the Tests. The Union game is acquiring strength in Queensland, and progress is also being made in Victoria, where the code was dormant for so long. In New South Wales there are players who have had the valuable experience of a tour of South Africa, and the stars of that touring team have already shown form that is most encouraging. The opening games of the Sydney premiership have been marked by brilliant displays of fast, open football, the like of which has not been seen for many a long day. There were 9000 spectators at the chief game on one Saturday—almost as many as at the big League game. The Union game was played on a suburban ground, and augurs well for the more important matches that are to follow. Within a few ■weeks New South Wales and Queensland will select their representative teams, and the matches between the best of the two States will create a great deal of interest, and will give a valuable line on the personnel of the Australian team which will meet the New Zealanders in the Tests. The Rugby Union seems to have every reason for anticipating a record season.