N.Z. LEAGUERS RETURN

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1054, 19 August 1930, Page 14

N.Z. LEAGUERS RETURN

DOGGED BY HARD LUCK AND INJURIES UNSUCCESSFUL TOUR “We had a vast number of injuries, and throughout the team seemed to be dogged by sheer hard luck.” In these terms Mr. W. J. Taylor, manager, commented upon the rather unsuccessful tour of Australia of the New Zealand League Rugby side, which returned by the Ulimaroa this morning. It was perhaps the most unsuccessful tour to date, but in the face of this the team appeared very cheerful and did not indulge in liardluck stories when approached on board. They are all fit and well, although a few still bear the marks of the hard Australian grounds. “Although Ave did not win out on the field, the boys certainly won out in other respects,” said Mr. Taylor. “Their fine behaviour Avas a credit to this country and they were complimented everywhere for that. We were indeed a happy family.”

The side -won six games and lost seven, and according to Mr. Taylor, certainly showed its best form near the end of the tour, when it took all before it. In New South Wales the NeAV Zealanders seldom finished with a full team on account of the hard grounds and the many unfortunate injuries. This could not be put down to rough play as the Australians in this State played exceptionally clean football. HIGH STANDARD “I was much surprised at the high standard of play in New South Wales. They showed us something we had never seen before. Their play was a revelation. It was hand-ball and possession and pace beat us here. Their backing up and team work Avas actually uncanny, and after the displays of the code I saw there, I am quite convinced that the game is not going back,” said Mr. Taylor. The three forwards to make the best showing were Calder (West Coast), Stevenson Auckland), and Eckhoff (Otago), while one of the most improved backs was Dodds, of Canterbury. Brisbane was outstanding’, and according to Mr. Taylor is one of the finest threequarters in either Australia or New Zealand. Dlifty played well, but he was found to be too slow at fullback against the Australian sides, and it was found necessary to put him among the forwards, where he excelled himself.