ARMY RUGBY

Camp News, Volume 1, Issue 32, 19 July 1940, Page 6

ARMY RUGBY

New Zealand Team In South Africa BEATEN BY 8 TO 3 Though New Zealand had to cancel the Rugby tour of South Africa this year because of the war, the war has also been responsible for a team of soldier-foot-ballers from New Zealand, captained by E. W. Tindill, playing a match there recently against a I Diversity fifteen, finial ter winning 8-3. < . Details of the event came in a letter received by Mr. 8. S. Dean, chairman of the management committee-of the. New Zealand Rugby -Union, from/Mr. R. M. Wilson, a keen Rugby supporter, and manager of the South British Insurance' Co., in Cape Town. The match took place on the famous -Newlands ground at. Cape -Town a few -weeks ago, where-, the New Zealandersput in an. unexpected appearance. Tin visit was so brief as to give the New Zealand soldier-players little chance to drop their sea legs. -But the opportunity of playing in South Africa was appreciated, and the hurriedly-arranged match greatly enjoyed. It was an off-day, but word had gone round quickly, and some thou-, sands were at Newlands for the event. ; The New Zealand team was: —Greer ; Gillespie, Burgess, Bartlett ; Neighbours, Vincent; Tindill (captain); Graham, Hearn, Fowler, Ashman, Gardiner, Foreman, King, and Donoghue. Greer and Vincent played for Sunnyside (Christchurch). - Greer also played Rugby League in Auckland. Gillespie played for Athletic (Christchurch). Burgess is a former Ashburton and Canterbury representative. He also took part in the All Black trials last . year. Tindill needs no introduction. Of the forwards, Hearn (Canterbury). Fowler (Taranaki), Foreman (Otago and . Auckland), King, (New Zealand Rugby League captain), and P. Donoghue (Petqne') are best known. Comments on the game show that Hearn was highly successful-in hooking, and . that. Tindill gave a fine display behind. the scrum. Lack of practice told against the New Zealanders, who, nevertheless, created a favourable impression It. was conceded that had they been fit and had had some play together, they would - have 'been more than a match for the opposition. University, scored two tries, one being . converted. For the soldiers. Greer kicked a penalty goal.