RUGBY FOOTBALL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 September 1938, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL

RETURN OF MAORI TEAM. PROFIT ON FIJIAN TOUR. (By Telegraph —Press Association.) AUCKLAND, September 2. As the result of the tour of the New Zealand Maori team, the Fiji Rugby Union will benefit by from £7OO to £BOO, said Mr S. S. Dean, manager of the team, which returned by the Moijterey today. Mr Dean said that the tour was a success from every angle. “The standard of the Fijian team was much higher than we were led to believe, he said. “Though they lacked the finer essentials of the game they made it up in physical fitness and speed. They play a fast open game, getting the ball out to the wings on every possible occasion. The wing three-quarters, Seru and Frank, have both broken even time. The back line was very fast and the forwards were, on an average, taller than the Maori pack. The aggregate weight, of the scrum was 13st. 111 b. They excelled in line-out play.” The Fijian union was desirous of sending a team to New Zealand, and Mr J. D. K. Taylor, the former Auckland and Wellington representative, who was arriving on September 16, had been authorised to negotiate with the New Zealand union. The tour was suggested for 1940. Records crowds attended all the games, said Mr Dean. The Maori team was unfortunate in accidents. The ground, particularly for the first Test, was very hard. Jackson was still suffering from the effects of an injury to the thigh and ankle. Wordley received an injury to a rib, and the captain, Howell, a knee injury. White badly gashed a finger. Each side won one Test «nd one was drawn.