LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 281, 23 August 1919, Page 9

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

AUSTRALIAN TEAM ARRIVES - TO-DAY'S TEST MATCH The Australian League team arrived in Wellington by.the steamer Essex yesterday, and they will play their first match against the representatives of New Zealand at tho Basin lteservo this alter- ' noon. This is the first time that an Australian Kugby League team has vis- • ited the Dominion, previous tours having been made by New South Wales representatives. The members of the team on this occasion are as follow:—li. liorder, L. Cubitt. J!. Norman, C. Eraser, H. Gilbert (vice-captain), J. Robinson, A. Johnston.' A. Halloway (captain), C. Prentice, F. Ryan, P. Burgc, it. Townsend, A. Oxford. J. Watkins, J. Kcrwiclc, li. Lata, W. Scltuilz, and R. Vest, all of Now South Wales; and T. Sweeney, W. Paten, C. Thorogood, C. O'Donnell, N. Potter, and D. Thomson, of Queensland. Tho ioint managers are Messrs. C. H. J. Up- . ton and W. Webb. On arrival tliey were met by. Mr. A. K. Powell, manager of the New Zealand , team, and Messrs. S. Brice utul Evans, of tho Wellington League. 'In conversation with a Dominion reporter, Air. Upton stated that the team was as thoroughly representative of both Australian States as it could be, only ■ one man originally selected having been unable to come across.. Generally speaking, tho men were more experienced than tho New South Wales team which visit- ( ed New Zealand a. few years ago. Seven of those players who came across with that team aro included in tho present . selection—Cubitt, 'Johnston, Norman, Halloway, Surge, Fraser, and llorder, the last-named being considered the most brilliant exponent of tho League game in Australasia. O'Donnell had previously visited New Zealand with a Rugby. Union : team. "We have experienced considerable dif- ■ ficulty in getting here in time for the : first test," said Mr. Upton, "but tlio : players are as lit as we can possibly have them: with a few exceptions,' and wo hone to win. In Newcastle we wero kept waiting from Tuesday until noon on Saturday, owin" to boiler trouble on the steamer. The passage across has been fairly calm, only two being ill, while none of tlio others missed any meals. Training was carried out oil board under N. Potter, who is nil instructor in physical culture. Having only arrived to-day, however, it does not give the men much time to get their land legs,' and in this, as well as tho long trip, there is a disadvantage- We would have liked to have hail time for training, and so meet New. Zealand oil eaual terms, but we are confident-of winning. Wo leave it more to the ability of our players." Three strong members of tho team lin.vo developed poisoned knees, and mi consequence will not be abls to play today. They are: Norman (tho most consistent tliree-cjuarler in New South Wales), Thomson (Queensland's star halfbuck, and captain of their representatives), and C. Eraser; while Schultz, tho best front-rank forward, is suffering from tho effects of seasickness. The visitors engaged in practice at ivellrarn Park yesterday afternoon,_ and at 5 p.m. they were tendered a. civic recep- . tion in the Council Chamber by tho Mayor (Mr. .T. P. Luke). In welcoming the visitors, the Mayor said that tl'.o people of the city and Dominion were gratified that the team had wine across to try conclusion with tho chosen of New Zealand. It was picasing to think that tho war had at last ended, and that we eould look forward to international football and other sports eontests. He referred to the association of New Zealanders and Australians during the war, and said that the boys from the Dominion always entertained a great admiration for the soldiers of Australia, visitors would find that New Zealanders were good sportsmen, and he honed that they would, have a very peasant stay in this country. Messrs. Webb and Upton, joint managers, and Mr. Halloway, captain, of tho Australian team, thanked the Mayor heartily for having accorded the visitors a. civic reception, and said they hoped that their relations with the New Zealand League footballers would always remain of the most cordial nature. They would give of tlieir best, and trusted that tho best team in to-day's match would win'. Mr. S. Brice. on behalf of the Wellington League, also thanked the Mayor for having welcomed the Australian team. The team selected to represent Australia to-day is:—Pull-back, T. Sweeney; three-fluarters, 11. Horder, L. Cubitt, H. Gilbert, J. Robinson; five-eighth, A. Johnston: half, A. Halloway (captain); forwards. P. Ryan, C. O'Donnell, C. Prentico A. Oxford, P. Burge, aDd J. Watkins. Reserves—Forwards: R. Townsend. N. Potter; backs: C. Thorogood, W. Paten. An alteration has been made in the constitution of the New Zealand team. Morris will take. the place of Wilson, who is unable to play, and Meares. replaces Morris in the reserves. Mr A. House (Wellington),, will have control of the game.