NOT DOWNHEARTED

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 18, 14 September 1931, Page 3

NOT DOWNHEARTED

AUSTRALIANS IN ROTORUA The Wallaby Rugby team after having played the Test match in Auckland on Saturday arrived in Rotorua by car yesterday afternoon and paid a visit to Whaka and later were entertained by the Maoris at a concert at the village. The team will leave at 9 o'clock to-day for Waiarakei _ where they will stay overnight and then proceed to Napier. Mr Malcolm, the captain, is acting as mariager of the team in the absence of Mr Davis, the manager, who was urgently recalled to Sydney. The team is also accompanied by Mr A. C. Kitto, vice-chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union. They were met in Rotorua by Mr G. H. Mason, chairman of the Rotorua Rugby Union.

The members are all in good spirits though one or two are suffering from leg injuries received during the tour, They expressed themselves as well pleased with the treatment which has been given them and all are delighted with the hospitality they have received in Rotorua. Regret was expressed that they could not stay here long enough to see more of the thermal wonders. Not Downheartedl. The players, though disappointed with the result of the Test match, are by no means downheartec! and consider that they put up a good showing against such a strong New Zealand side. One member expressed the opinion that a tactical error had been made in the second half of the match when Australia elected to keep the play tight in the hope of retaining the lead. which they had established. This gave the heavy All Black forwards a decided advantage and this was really the tourning point of the game.