N.Z. FOOTBALLERS.

Grey River Argus, 26 February 1927, Page 5

N.Z. FOOTBALLERS.

DEPARTURE FOR N.Z. (Received February 25 at 8.45 p.m.) SYDNEY, February 25. The Manuka sailed at noon to-day for New Zealand. The passengers included Mr Parata and Mr Gemmell, of the Maori team. The Marama sailed at 3 p.m. for Auckland. The New Zealand League team were passengers. At the reception to the League team, tendered by the New South Wales Rugby League, Mr Mair said that al though New Zealand and Australia had adopted hew rules, which were for the improvement of the game, the people and players in England were against the new rules, and he found it difficult to convince them of the advantage of the innovation. He said that the trouble on the tour would be fully dealt with upon his return to New Zealand, which was the proper place to discuss the matter. He felt bound, however, to contradict the statement of the suspended players in Melbourne, and further than that, preferred his own organisation to investigate the affairs of the tour. He added that greater success would have been achieved in the tour by co-operation. The Maori team was entertained at luncheon by the Council of New South Wales Rugby Union. Mr Parata, responding to the toast, said that the English forwards were good in scrummage work, but not so good in the open game, lootball was played very cleanly in England, and there was no worry about casualties causing a scarcity of players.