ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1499, 23 July 1912, Page 9

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

LEAGUERS BACK AGAIN.

AUSTRALIAN TOUR A SUCCESS. BUT SOME FRICTION. (B7 Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, July 22. The New Zealand representatives of tho Rugby league game arrived in Auckland this morning by the Wimmera, after a successful tour in the Australian Commonwealth. Except for a number of injuries of a minor character, the players are in the best of health, and, without exception, speak enthusiastically of the games and of the unbounded hospitality of tho Australian footballers. Mr. William Dervan, the well-known Auckland player, who was one of the party, said that the Australians had assured them that they were the best Nonhem Union combination that had ever visited the Commonwealth. . "I don't know about thai," paid IVrvan, with a laugh, "but, taking everything into consideration, we came out witli a fair proportion of wins. Wo could nevor have been expeotcd to get that first match—it was nothing short of murder to take seasick players off the steamer and put them up against a team that had been playing together like a concertina for months." Dervau went on to say that he thought that, with a little luck, they should have gained the Australian game, but, otherwise, the teams won on their merits. Questioned; in regard to the trouble that has arisen between the New Zealand Council and the team in regard to the arrangements for players to return to the Dominion, the_ big forward' had nothing to say, it having been decided to make nothing public until tho whole question is inquired into by the council. The players express keen annoyance at the fact that, in Sydney, they were termed strikers without any opportunity having been given them to justify tho position which they took up in the matter. An Enquiry Held. The trouble was discussed at a meeting of the council of the New Zov land Rugby League this afternoon. Mr. M'Rcynolds, one of the managers, stated in the course of his report that tho men absolutely refused to go on the field when they were told that they had to go home tho same night. They signed a document to that effect, and,' in order not to compromise the New Zealand League in the eyes of, tho Sydney public, the managers were compelled to agree to tho men's request. The men gave as their reason that they landed in Australia, and had been compelled to play, travel, and train continuously, and, therefore, would not be fit to go aboard tho steamer tho same night. The council decided to receive a deputation of players, of whom Irvine was spokesman. He' repeated tho reason given by the managers regarding continuous travelling, and said that they only got notice on Friday of the intention to return to New Zealand on Saturday night. They were unanimous in their decision hot to come home. They had been a happy family, but thought that the tour had been badly arranged. A. Carlaw, one of the players,' stated that had they known the circumstances regarding the Wellington match they ■ would have considered tho League's interests before their own. t W. Dervan, one of the players, stated that they knew the risk which they were running, in refusing to play, but, as some of (he men had been hurt in other matches, they did riot care to go on the steamer straight after the last match for fear of similar accidents. The players then withdrew, and the council,, after due consideration, decided to fine the men the maximum amount allowed, by the rule?,.and to .stop a jiortion -ofi thcfr'"loss of time"'paymcivt'..,; "' '' '.' LEAGUE PLAYERS REINSTATED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrieht (Rec. July 22, 9.30 p.m.) ' Sydney, July 22. A stir has been created in football circles by tho Queensland Rugby Union reinstating a number of League players who, on becoming dissatisfied with conditions in tho League, applied for reinstatement in the amateur ranks. It is stated that tho New South Wales Rugby Union is opposed to the reinstatement, but had no voice in the matter as Queensland is under a different constitution. ,