ARMY RUGBY TEAM BACK FROM OVERSEAS

Chronicle (Levin), 1 July 1946, Page 7

ARMY RUGBY TEAM BACK FROM OVERSEAS

Press Association

Bv Telearavh—

WELLINGTON, June 80. ' "Tlic. boys u ro all keen to play tlioj spoi'ial iiiatdios being arningeil for . iIumii and sliniv Xow Zealaiiilcrs some of 1 tlie bnuil of nigbv which matle lhen»| iiumensely popular at llomc," said l.ieut.-t 'oionol A. 11. Andrews, mannger of the Kiwi Itugbv team, meuibers of which were in ll'ie draft which ari'ived i bv the .Moreton Bay todav. The bitler- | ly colil weather and driving rain served j as no bai lo the warmth of the wel- 1 come. 11 undreds, many of whom wait- 1 od for hours, the vessel being consider- j ubly overdue owing lo the boisterous | eonditions, lined the wharf when ihei Moreton Buy berthed. l'lio late arrival of the vessel caused hurried disoinbarkation of all northern person uoi to entrain for their hoiues. I.ieul Colonel Andreus said he could .venture no predietion as to future intentious but muuy of the boys wouhl doubtless respoud early to the urge lo don togs again. There were two easualties during the vovage — S. L. Youug (Xorth Auckland) and S. W. Woolley (Marlborough) — the latter eontracling appendieitis aiul i being operated ou suceessfully. N. H. • Thornton (Auckland) is due to return withia the next few weeks. Meuibers of the side are to receive blazers, probably earrying the 2ud X.Z.E.F. monogram, 111 reeognition of •tlieir exploits. ' Lieut.-Colonel Aiulrews said the suggestiou of the Xow Zealand Rugby T'nioit for five games begiiuiing 011 Julv . t!U. had the approval of the players. The suggestion has also been approved by War Cabinet and the itinerary will be completed at tomorrow 's nieeting of the executive connnittee of the Xew Zealand Rugby l* ino n. It is expeeted four games will be with the maia centres ! and the lifth probably against Kew Zealand universities. 1 A report on the tour is to be subniitted from Lleut.-Colouel Aiulrews to 1 Ihe Xew Zealand Rugby LTiion. In his coneluding reiuarks lie conveyed deep appreeiation to otiicials and members of ! tlie various rugby unious and, iu parj ticula'r. the Inter-Services Sport Cou-

itrol Board, for- assistauce during the {tour. "Without their close cooperation j many difficulties which confront tour- ( ing teams, would have been abuost inaurmountable, he said. The report pays tribute to the outstanding work of Captain Saxton as captaiu, Alajor Fiulay for his grand leadership of for wards. aud to Major V. Butler fo" his work as assistant manager. The need for assistant managers 011 sucJi tours was also stressed. "Finally, tlie complete " liarmouy which existed throughout the whole tour, wliieh no doubt came about largely through a common baekground 1 hrougli . beiug members of the 2nd X.Z.F.F., played as big a part as any otlier factor in oui success,'" concluded Lieut.-Colonel Au drews.