BRITISH RUGBY TEAM WANTED TO VISIT WHAKATANE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 77, 2 August 1950, Page 5

BRITISH RUGBY TEAM WANTED TO VISIT WHAKATANE

(Special Correspondent) Auckland, yesterday.

‘ Comments on the tour and the desire of the team to visit Whakatane during its New Zealand tour were made to the Beacon’s Auckland correspondent by the manager of the touring British Isles Rugby team, surgeon-captain L. Osborne before the fourth test last Saturday. He mentioned the good wishes that the team had received from Whakatane people.On the tour he had this to say:— “I feel sure you can say that every member of the team will regard this tour as an unforgettable experience.

“As a team we have tried to enjoy our victories with quiet satisfaction; and we have attempted to hide our disappointments in defeat.” Hard And Willing

Some of the games had been hard and willing, he thought, but he explained that the'boys had had some pretty hectic scraps amongst themselves in the International matches at Home.

During the talk the tourists and their friends gradually filled the lobby, those who were playing had that pre-test air of pre-occupation and carried their football gear in a neat master-at-arms kitbag drawn with a snowy lanyard in true navy style. (Here a glimpse into the past conjured up a vision of earlier Rugby ‘greats’ of New Zealand with a pair of footie boots slung by the laces around a heedless neck, and two bottles 'of lemonade in bro .vn paper under the- arm!) Those team members spared the ordeal carried a more festive air, talking animatedly with their friends, graciously autographing a great assortment of articles, and gradually game-time grew nearer. The sight of Karl Mullen, John Kyle, Ken Jones, Bleddyn Williams, Andrew Black and Gordon Rimer strolling back and forth engendered a question on behalf of those members of the British team whose form did not quite merit their selection.

Captain Osborne, in his grave, courteous way instantly seized upon this point. “I am delighted that you should have mentioned that phase of our trip,” he said, “for it has occurred to me repeatedly during our tour. The stars of a touring team select themselves, but there are always so many ‘border-line’ players before each match that it has quite gone to my heart to have to tell a ie inornate that he will not be selected.

“Thank goodness, all our chaps know that, unfortunately, our selection committee has Rad to pick teams with their heads and not with their hearts—but I often wish that adequate consolation could granted to those players who have tried so hard to be fit and well to take a place in the differing teams.” Then the conversation swung around to Whakatane.

“Of all the towns in New Zealand not visited by the ' team,” remarked the captain, “I believe the name ‘Whakatane’ has been most on the lips of our players.”

“Perhaps it may be that like Wigan,’ Kirkintilloch, Averystwith, and Ballyshannon the name trips off the tongue; but many of your people have written most kindly to me, particularly Mrs N. E. Rigden Snr., who sent me some priceless information about Danny Gallaher’s wonderful 1905 team. I am sure I wrote and thanked her, but please remember me to her. “Of course, one has met Mr E. B. Brown and Mr Jock O’Loghlen

at the Club; I understand they have a controlling interest in your Whakatane Board Mills. All the team will remember one of your business men, if only because of his heartening telegrams in both victory and defeat.

“You would really be surprised at the number of our players who would like to poke around the Mill, dig their way around the golf course, shoot pig or deer, tickle trout or bask over at Ohope Beach.” At the moment of farewell Captain Osborne finally said: “Please quote me as saying that if I have inadvertedly neglected to answer any kindly letters from the Whakatane district, that neglect is not caused by discourtesy but by absolute lack of hours.” And off to his Test went this typical Englishman surrounded by his cohort of typical Britishers.;

One Time Great After the game, your correspondent made a bee-line back to an hotel, and was offered hospitality by Mr Jack Ricketts, a Wellington business man (and a brother of Bob Ricketts of Taneatua). He introduced me to a thick-set, round faced type as a Mr Porter. When I peered under the hat; 10, and behold Mr

Cliff Porter! Probably New Zea • land’s most famous captain and Rugby tactician Par Excellence.

As we left we all said 1 farewell to Dr. Karl .Mullen, the English Captain, all dolled up in his “soup and fish” armour off to the reception.