RUGBY LEAGUE.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 November 1925, Page 3

RUGBY LEAGUE.

RECIPROCITY WITH new ZEALAND. NF.PIA RUMOURS.

LONDON. October 7. At a meeting of t he linj'Dy League ('mini’ll :il Wigan, Die subject of negotiations with members ol the All Hhii-ks wns referred to. 'Phis appears to ho tho first occasion on which tlui mutter Inis been mentioned ofl’ieiiilly, in spite of the immv columns iilromly published. A new 1 it'ht (sues the " Yorkshire Post ”) whs thrown ujion the situiition which hns arisen through the inviting of New Zealand Ihighv Union players members of lasi season’s ” All Blacks ” coin,hinatioii in particular to join Rtigh.v League chilis in Vorksliiro and Lancashire. The secretary (Mr John Wilson) reported that, Billowing upon the passage of cablegrams between the two bodies, the New Zealand Ihighv League have now agreed to a reciprocal arrangement under which English and New Zealand phuers transferred Iron) one country to tih.e other can only qualify to play by a two-years’ residence. Hitherto an agreement to that effect has only applied as between the Rugby Leagues of England and Australia. Tn the absence of any such agreement the Rugby League authorities of this country and New Zealand, it has recently been possible for the Hull chib to enter into negotiations with Nopia, the brilliant Maori full-back of the last New Zealand Rugby Enion touring team. negotiations with neria. The Hull Club were safeguardedJn those negotiations by having the New Zealand Rugby League’s permission to approach Nopia. Since publicity was .riven to the matter, other Rugby Leaone clubs, notably Leeds and Wigan, have had communications with New Zealand players. One effect of the Hull-Nepia transaction lias been to bring Rugby League authorities of England and New Zealand into touch with each other on the question of transfers. The result, as was made known at the meeting, is that the New Zealand Rugby League have cabled their agreement to the two-years’ residential qualification to apply as between England and New Zealand, just as between England and Australia.

This sijiroomont will in no wise nfXenia's position with Hull. Tito Hull fluh’s approach to Xopia. with the sanction of the New Zealand Bugby League, was made before the agreement. Accordingly if Xepia chooses to come to Hull, he may play at the Boulevard directly upon his arrival.