LEAGUE RUGBY

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10310, 20 January 1927, Page 7

LEAGUE RUGBY

MANAGERS URGE N.Z. COUNCIL TO INVESTIGATE. HINT FOR FUTURE TOURS. MORE CAREFUiTsELECTION Oh’ PLAYERS NECESSARY. (United Press Assn. —Copyright.) LONDON, Jan. 18. Six members of the Rugby league Council journeyed to London to attend tbe New Zealand League team’s farewell gathering, Messrs Ponder and Mair have is--sued a joint statement. They claim the dispute will not harm the game if the New Zealand Council fully investigates it. The 19 non-strikers displayed the highest ' sporting instincts. Future tours would be more successful if the authorities were more cifheful in the selection of players. Although the team won only, 50 per cent, of its games, the moral success was greater as the majority of the matches had been played under most trying conditions. Mr Mair pointed out that the managers were unable to fine tlie strikers, which was the English and Australian custom, because the New Zealand authorities trusted the members to play the game t Mr Ponder paid a tribute to Mr Mair’s' large-mindedness in twice standing down to save the tour Mr Ponder delivered 16 and Mr Mair five lectures on New Zealand life, resulting in many applications for migration.—A.N.Z.C.A.