Football.
MR. BAXTER ARRIVES HOME. Comment on Tour. The latest English newspaper files give particulars of the arrival in England of Mr. James Baxter and his Rugby Union party of footballers. Before landing Mr. Baxter was presented by the team with a silver salver, inscribed: “To Bim. With happy memories of our tour to New Zealand and Australia.” To a newspaper reporter Mr. Baxter stated that though he would not have missed the experience, nothing would tempt him to make another such tour single-handed. Fortunately, he had the unswerving support of his party and apart from the amazing speech of Mr. McKenzie, chairman of the New Zealand selection committee, there had not been a jarring note throughout the tour. Mr. Baxter stated that he made his comments on the obstructive tactics of winging forwards quite deliberately, after consideration, and he had nothing to retract. He had received many letters of approval from all over New Zealand, and he believed the plain speaking would do something to remove the one blot, to the British way of thinking, on Rugby Union football, from the Dominion. Players quite frankly admitted they were “ out to beat the referee ” if it could be done, and some of them did not seem to be able to appreciate the British view of fair play.
Mr. Baxter’s attention was called to the suggestion made in some quarters that he had dominated the selection committee and had been mainly responsible for choosing the teams. This he denied, and pointed out that the teams were selected by a committee consisting of himself as chairman, and Prentice, Sobey and Farrell, with other members of the party invariably called in. There were occasions on which he was outvoted on some particular choice. As in all other matters there was a perfect understanding and loyalty as between players and manager and complete harmony prevailed from start to finish. Of the courtesy and kindliness extended to the team everywhere, Mr. Baxter was enthusiastic.
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Bibliographic details
Putaruru Press, Volume VIII, Issue 368, 11 December 1930, Page 8
Word Count
329Football. Putaruru Press, Volume VIII, Issue 368, 11 December 1930, Page 8
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