FOOTBALL IN FIJI

Shannon News, 17 September 1926, Page 1

FOOTBALL IN FIJI

NATIVES KEEN ON THE GAME

UNIVERSITY TEAM'S TOUR

Afto a most enjoyable and successful trip, members of the Auckland University Rugby football team, who have been visiting' Fiji, returned to Auckland by the Tofua yesterday. The large crowd which assembled on the wharf to meet them was greeted with'native melodies and extravagant displays of island headgear. It was obvious that in addition to playing football, the team had been curio hunting. Their baggage was adorned with baskets, mats, tinted coral in all shapes and forms outrigger canoes, and other articles. Every member 'of the team was in the best of health. Speaking of the trip, the manager, Mr,A. Craig, said the tour had been an unqualified success. Four matches were played—three test games at Suva and a game with a team at Levukii. The first test was drawn, 8 a]); the visitors won the second. 10 —-3; and the island team won the third, IS—lO. The match at. Levuka was \yon by the Auckland team by 24 to, S. "The is!anil team showed a surprisingly - high standard of play," Mr Craig - said. "They had been training assiduously for weeks and were exceptionally fit. Our Jpoys played splendid football, at times quite equal to senior standard. The matches created tremendous interest, and it was a gala fortnight on the island. Large crowds watched the games." lltifiby Rules Observed.

Members of the team spoke very highly of the playing field, some of them declaring that it was the best they had ever played on. In the first test the ground was very hard, several of the university team being injured. For the next, two tests, however, the Suva cricket ground was commissioned, and this proved to be delightful. The weather was pnusuatly Avarm and this was a disadvantage. Mr Craig said the Suva team comprised one or two first-class players. T. Dyer, formerly of the Sacred Heart College, Auckland, and Riemenschneider, formerly of. King's College, played prominently. The tour was marred by an unfortunate incident in the last test, when a Fijian player broke leg. Good fellowship and sportsmanship, were evident throughout and the games were enjoyed by all the players. "The natives are very keen on football," said Mr Craig. "The day we arrived we saw the final test between the natives of Fiji and Tonga, Tonga winning by 6 points to 3. They play barefooted and observe all the rules. The gamo was exceptionally fast. Except for the fact that they did not wear football boots, the natives were dressed liko European players." Rarefooted Goal Kicker.

Air Craig said the university team was amazed when they saw a Ton gan player kick a goal from halfway with 'his bare foot.. In addition to this ho made a hole with his heel in ihe hard ground. The- •'"natives were also very keen on Soccer. -The urii-\ vc-rsity side was unable to play with the natives on account of the barefoot problem. The natives did not care to encounter the sharp "sprigs." Between tests the team played' a game of hockey with a Fijian side, being defeated by 5 goals to 2.