Later Development of League

THE Rugby League game relied in pre-war days, as it still does to a certain extent, on persuading rugby players of its superior attractions, and the 1913 League team which visited Australia in­cluded one who was marked out for distinction in both codes, Karl Ifwerson.

At this time the activity and apparent progress of the League game practically throughout the country was causing considerable concern among Rugby Unions. The Canterbury Union in 1913 seriously discussed the adoption of League rules on an amateur basis, and the New Zealand Union that year debated the advisability of changes in the rules, a recommendation in that direction being defeated by 34 votes to 28.

As time went on, however, it began to appear that in the larger centres there was room for both codes. True the League game did not survive in Otago, but in Canterbury, Wellington, and Auckland it is well established, as well as in such provincial districts as North Auckland, South Auckland, and Westland.

The greatest stronghold, however, is Auckland, where Carlaw Park, close to the heart of the city,has proved an immense asset. In Auckland, as in several other centres, difficulty in securing playing fields handicapped the League in its infancy. At one time (1912) the Auckland League had the use of Eden Park, now the headquarters of the Rugby Union game in Auckland. Fortunately for the League, as events proved, it was unable to make permanent terms for Eden Park, and this led to the acquisition of Carlaw Park, previously a Chinese market garden. Developed largely by volunteer labour, Carlaw Park was opened in June 1921 and has proved a handsome source of revenue, providing finance for development in other parts.

After the war the League game, particularly in Auckland, attained a high standard and matches against British teams at four-yearly intervals from 1920 onwards resulted in some fine matches which attracted large crowds and yielded New Zealand several creditable victories. Outstanding players who transferred from rugby included A. E. Cooke and G. Nepia, of the 1924 All Blacks, but in addition the League game, with well organised lower grades, and a following in several Auckland primary schools, was now able to produce international players of its own. A League tour to England in 1926-27 had disappointing results, and high hopes were centred in another such tour in 1939. The quality of this team unfortunately could not be accurately gauged, as its programme was cancelled owing to the war after only two matches had been played, both of which it won.