THE WARATAHS

Evening Star, Issue 19788, 11 February 1928, Page 3

THE WARATAHS

HONORED BY THE KING No team of overseas sportsmen ever received so many compliments as the Waratahs on their lour in Great Britain (says “ Tho Cynic,” in the Sydney 1 Referee ’). Private advices show that they have won popularity in every country—that is, in Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, as well as England. It is no mere idl« talk to say that while, other teams have won the esteem of the home authorities and spoiling public, this team has transcended all in this regard. It is very strong tribute to tbo training the men received in the Great Public Schools sport of New South Wales. It has always been held that the ideal in sport has been the Hugger of the G.P.S. It is an inspiring thought that the spirit, there implanted has boon evident throughout the tour of the Waratahs. Men who imbibe their sporting principles in this way play their games hard, very hard, but always with the spirit of fair play, prepared to take a knock as well as give one in the legitimate hurly-burly and speed of the game. Tho King and Queen added to the honors in hospitality extended to the Waratahs. We are told that none of the party will forget the day spent at Sandringham, where they had the privilege of seeing the King and Queen informally in their quiet home life in the country, 'The team arrived at Sandringham station, and were motored to the mansion. They spent the morning walking round the lovely gar-, dens and hot-houscs. Later they had luncheon in the ballroom, Tho menu cards, and even tho food itself, had been specially arranged for the occasion. For instance, the ice cream was made up in a realistic reproduction of a Rugby football. In the afternoon the Waratahs joined King George in shooting. They had a two hours’ walk through the countryside, during which His Majesty, whose skilful shooting won the Australians’ groat admiration, brought down enough pheasants to present one to each member of the party. It was a lovely afternoon, more_ like spring than midwinter. The visitors so highly prized the gilt of the pheasants that they agreed to have them placed in_ a refrigerator and sent out to Australia. His Majesty _ himself superintended the grouping of the visitors for a photograph, and then, in a brief talk, expressed deep regret that lie had never been able to see the Waratahs play. He recalled his own tour to Australia, and expressed the hope that they would carry hack pleasant recollections of their trip. . Afternoon tea was served in the ballroom, when the Waratahs were presented to the Queen, who had just returned from meeting the local women’s guild. The Waratahs returned to London in the evening. “The King and Queen were very charming to us, said Mr G. Shaw, the manager of the team. GATE OF £16,000 AT ENGLAND MATCH. The tour of the Waratahs will be memorable for at least one record, that of having drawn the greatest amount of gate money on a Rugby tour. This is surprising in view of the wonderful standard in play set by the All Blacks in their unbeaten campaign. The twenty-eight matches are expected to yield £61,000, including the Rugby record of £16,000 for the match against England. 'The gates for other international matches were: Scotland, £8,000; Wales, £5,000; Ireland, £4,500. The smallest gate was £3OO, in the North of Scotland. Deducting expenses of the tour, £12,000,

and entertainment, tax, £1,220, loaves £36,800 for the British Rugby Union organisations. H will be divided thus: To England £14,000 Wales 9,000 Scotland 5,700 Ireland 4,000 The protit of £36,0t)0 on a colonial tour in Great Britain is colossal, the home union having made £21,000 out of the All Blacks’ campaign a few years ago. From the first) All Blacks’ tour the Now Zealand Union derived the profits, which amounted to £II,OOO. The New Zealand Union look all the risks of a pioneering promoting body, and was entitled to the rewards .that came, and which have since been used for the benefit of the game. Tho English Union, in its financial dealings ‘ with tho colonial unions, lias been far from equitable; in fact, one would go further and say that the attitude of Great Britain in this matter has been indefensible.